FOOTBALL.

Otago Witness, Issue 2273, 23 September 1897, Page 35

FOOTBALL.

ANSVVKR TO QORRESPONDENT.

Alpha aslcs.— In a football match the captains of the opposing teams agree to pl.iy 10 mea abide. Before the middle ot the lint spell owi team tcores 1 1 points, the other nil. The captain of the latter tea in observes that his opponents have 11 men in the field, and appeals to the referee ; what decision tho referee to give? -The English union has held that the onus is oa each side to see that the opposing te-un has not more than the proper complement of players. Tho score made by the t'jam with tre 11 players should, therefore, not be disallowed. NOTES BY FORWARD. • . * The New Zealand Times ou fch* Wellington team that came south : " The team was a young and inexperienced one. Certainly it bad the advantage of a very old and wise general. • i ." Yes, " a very old and — wise general ! "

• . • The same paper observes that the Wellington beam " was admittedly a, weak oue, bub trtining and combination and a ' do-or-die ' spirit have enabled it to defeat the three geeab union teams of the south — namely, Canterbury, Southland, and Otago." It must have been 'an example of that "'do-or-die' Epirib" we saw in Duoediu, with the accent on the "do."

•.• "Lynx," in the Nsw Zjalaud Herald, cinunenbing on tho only change which was made in the Ofcsgo bea.cn after the defeat in Dunedin from Southland, says "ib sefm^sjinewhab strange thab only cne Soutblaudsr "—my confrere describes Mason as a Soubhlander — "should have been chosen after the admitted superiority of their play as compared with the back division opposed to them in the matchwith Otago." "Lynx" apparently has bean given to understand thab the Ofcago Unfon draws upon Southland phyers for reinforcements, just as the Auckland Union draws upon unions affiliated to it— the Thames, Wairoa, and Waikabo Unions, for example. As a mabter of fact, however, the Otago and Soubhland Unions have been separate and distincb unions since 1887,

• . • Has there ever been a more successful debut made in an interprovincial match than that made by Fell last Saturday ? The University player had the good fortune to ba in a winniDg team — I do nob think he could advantageously bave been included intheOfcagoteam for the matches on the two previous Saturdays as they turned out — and his exhibition was of a high order, his taking of the ball being almost invariably clean and hia running brilliapt, while he also kicked well and tackled fairly. He easily deposed all other claimants from the position of the popular football idol. " . ' The committee of the Wellingbon. Rugby Union have passed a resolution recommending the union to decline to endorse the suspension of Calaan and Roberts by the New Zealand Rugby Union •without seeing the whole ot the evidence oa ■which the players were sentenced, and the comraittee further recommend the union not to support the New Zealand Union in using confidential evidence in any inquiry before ib. A special meeting of the union will be held this week to discuss the subject. • , • The fab is fairly in the fire over the

WelHngfcon-Ot*go nntch. The Dunedin press ha 3 been unanimous in condemning the brubal features of the mateh — features which were unquestionably introduced by the Wellington payers, were nob checked by tha referee, and naturally led to reprisals — and bhe special correspondent of the Post, who visibed Dunedin with Ihe team, has, in language which the Wellington morning paper would describe as 11 hvsteric&i," attacked the Dunedia pubic for its treatmsnb of bhe Wellington team. Now, I expressed my regret ksb week ab the behaviour of a section of tbe crowd, though I cannot ignore the fact that bhere was much in tho pl*y to excite their indignation, and, if the blood of many of them boiled as mine did at witnessing the tactics of some of the Wellington players, I am hardly surprised ab bheir conduct ; bub I must protosb againsb the ridiculous manner in which whab occurred has been exaggerated by tbe Post's correspondent. "Several of the bc-am and the referee (Mr Gerard), wbile-waiting to b« driven from the ground, were,"* this correspondent says, '■Btruck by atones and mud hurled by the infurfa'ed mob." Will anyone who was not present ctedib, on reading tbi*, thnt the "infuriated mob" wai compoted of 20 or 30 small boys, the oldest of whom would probably be nob above 14 years ot age ? And yeb such was bhe ctt.se.

• . • The Pest correspondent has an ally in. "Quidnunc," of bhe Canterbury Times, who, afler declaring ihixi " the cdnducb of bhe crowd beFore and after the OtagoWellington match was a diFgrace to a civilised community," says thab " before pay commenced the visitors were roundly t hooted, and during bue progress of the match the bor>tiii2 and howling were something to remeiuber." I assume th*b " Quidnunc " received his information from the Wellington players an they passed through Ctnistchurch ou their svay nor'h, and I can only say th^t, to put it mildly, he has been wrongly informed. The statement bbab "before pay coinsnenced the visitors were roundly hooted "is simply untrue. S > far from this being correct, the faci; is thab tbe visitors were received with tha ufinost cordiality, and I challenge any one of them to a.BB< rb the c:>nt'&rj'. It; is, moreover, entirely misleading to say that d'i'ing the progress of the gams there were "howling and hooting" which were "Roive'h'ng to lemember." What has been imagined lo bo hooting was, doubles.*, the suit*ioed cry of " Blues ! " which was frequently heard. Wbab the "howliDg" was Ido no 1 ; know. There were ft nnmber of angry express'ons hurled at the Wellington players and at the referee — thab i?, iinfortucately, true — aad possibly they coma uiider the cntegory of the " howling "to which reference is mxde. The j account given by " Quidnunc" of whab occurred ab the ronc'usion of the game is grossly exaggtiMied, and the "F«*veie bruises" which, he 6 aye, members r f the Wellington team received »s t'.e consequence of the "\olleys of roid metal" that were "hurled ab them" are an invention.

• . ■ Reverting to the special correspondent of the Post, he siys : " Sinvlar treatment [to thab witn^sed afc the elo--e of the mstch] was meted ont when (hs players subsequently made their appearance in tbe slrfets. Everywhere they wore greeted with erie? of ' Staughtirmcn,' 4 Wellington butchers,' and ttber choice ppithtt.*. There was great excitement in Dun<-din on Saturday night when WKeuzie (captain) and other plarers were followed by a nr>b of- over J2OOO. Ulfciraabely the parby h*d to escape from the crowd by the buck way of an hobel. ;> Roally, bhis corres-pondenb has a gifb for picturefque fxtggerfttioa which deserves wider scope than i* effered in a small colony like Npw Zealand. O.ie would fuppois from the es bract above quoted that an immense crowd ran riot in Dunedin on the nigh!; after the Wellington-O-Rgo match. Instead of there beiag a mob of 2000 people following M'Ker.zte and parfcy in tbe streets, thc-re were ab most 40 small boys afc first 1 , these being attracted by the sight ot a tall individual swaggering along who was wearirg a belltopper and a frock coal, and whose behaviour invited attention, the " barracking" of the boy 3 b3iug in fact courted fey him. He serined to revel in the exhibition wh ; ch he was affording the boys.

• . • In this rounecbion a singular question has been put to me. I have been seriously asked if it is not a focb that tho Wellington captain, glorying in bhe notoriety thab he has achieved, actually gave a silver coin apiece to some three or four small boy* in consideration foi* their following him and caUiug out " Oft-side M'Keisz'o" afler him. I should hesitate ba believe that thab was possible, and yeb such i 3 the quear story that is curreab. As I hava snid, the "2000 peopls" w,ho followed tbe Wellington captain about the street consisted sit first; of some 40 urchin?, and these were goorf-huniouredly " barracking" him, the proof that there was njthinsr disorderly in the proceeding cona-'stiog in the facb thab a prominent police cfficial, who was passing, had his attention drawn- to the knot of people, and naaae his way over to assertain what was the cause of the gathering, with tbe result thab he went away laughing. It is true tbab the cumber of those whosa % atfcenbion was bestowed on M'Kfczie subsequently increased, and that there was some cheerinjr for Obago- and some hooting of Wellington, and also that M'Keuzia found.' is convenient to pass through Wain's Hotel from Princes f-treeb b:> Manse street to etcipe into a less crowded thoroughfare, bub ib is also fctue that; he brought ou h'mself any hostile demonstration thab may have been nude by bhe hundred oc two, ab the mo*b, who were gathered about' him. I b would be unprofitable bo follow M'Kenzie in all his movements on that {Saturday night, in the course of which I believe he received in one encounter something to stamp the occasion on Irs memory ; and I would d : smiss this subjec j by saying that, for M'Kenzie's own sake, no reference would have beeu m&de to ifc in any of the Dunedin papers had it nob been for the grossly exaggerated version which the Post gave of the events of the evening. j

• . * The Post's correspondent is equally untrustworthy when, to bolster up his allegat : on that there was no rough play on the part of the Wellington tsam, he says thab ab the dinner in the evening "Mr Gallaway (president of the Otago Union) and his officials said there was not the slightest ground for ftigrnatising the play as rough." This is a most clumsy perversion of what was said. Nob a single word of the expresaioDS attributed to Mr Gallaway and the cfficials of the union was U3ed by them. To Mr Gallaway, as president 0? the union, ib fell to propose the toast of the •Wellington team. Seldom has a man been pub in a more awkward position than he occupied. The Wellington team were the guesbs of his union, and ib would have beeu unanimously condemned as '• bad form " on his part if he had stigmatised their play as rough, but, on the other hand, ib was a mabter of impossibility for him to speak of their play in terms of commendation. He was in the position of a person who has very thin ica to skim over, and he succeeded very skilfully in steering the safe course— by avoiding any reference to the Wellington team's play. Whab he did say about the mateh — and this was said in reprobation of the conduct of some of the Bpecfcatois-waa thab the rasboh

was not fought with kid glovei, but that when tho match was over footballers must leave their troubles behind them on the field.

• . ' A Wellington correspondent has thought fife lo wire tj tae Dauedin evening paper ttut the wholo of the Wellington team are prepared to substantiate the vers'nn that has been published there of Mr Gall a way's remarks, "as they were capable of no other interpretation, as was quite comprehensible to the mind of the dullest-headed listener." It is somewhat consoling to find th%b the Wellington correspondent in question accep's the interpretation that has in Wellington been put on Mr Gallaway's remarks a« that which the dullest-headed listener would pub upon them — and by implication we are asked to believe that the whole of tho Wellington team are dull-headed listeners — because any ptreou who understands the English language knows perfeotty well what is meant by a statement such as the one that; a match ii» not fougbb with kid gloves. That was absolutely the only statement that Mr Gallawcy made, directly or indirectly, to the manner in which the match was played, and I Jeiv j it to the intelligent public to say what the msantug is that is to be extracted from it. Ib is certainly ridiculous to assert that the president of the Obago Union said that there ws3 not the slightest ground for stigmatising the play as rough. I am supremely iudiff-rent as to wba 1 ; the Wellington players will or will not subs tan ti ate, for if they will sub>tauti*.ta tho version iv the Po3t of Mr CWiavrny'd remark*, they willsubatautiats anything.

• . • The interpretation wLich the Post's correspondent has put on Mr G.vllawa-y's reference to die match Miggeßts that the following is tho address which thr.fc gentleman Minuld have delivered, with inteij^cfcicus supplied chiefly by visiting players : —

Gentlemen,— lfc is mv duty, as it should also be my pleasure, as president, of the Otago Rugby Union, to propose to you the health of our vi-iitora, the Wellington team. — (Appluis-*). Before doing so, however, I desire, on behalf of the Ouago U'lion and of the Ot»go team, to express my r gret at tho treatment which the visitors received from sfine of the spectators after ihe match.- (Hear, hear.) A< president of the New Zcalnnd Uninu-(*pplause)-I conceive it will ba my duty to < ftici&lly bting what occurred uuder the notice of that body. so that it may deal with tho3e of the Otago public who w^ra disrespectful to the Wellington players. (A. Voic-j : "Ila3 the New Zealand Union power to deal with tint?") What if we have not the power? — (Hear, hear.) It is .» symptom of weakue-s to do only lhab which, yon have the power fco do. We of the New Zetland Uuion are above all rule and precedent. If I may be permitted to slightly alter Wordsworth's words—

'Ihe good old rule •Suilketh v«, the simple plan Thab we who can should 'ake the power, . Let them ke^p ifc who may. (Applause.) I have no doubt that the "Wellington players will support any action that the New Zealand Union may take in the matter. To-day's match was not fought with kid gloves— (laughter) — but footballers muat leave on the field nil their troubles of thjit kind, together with the fragments of uye3, teeth, and so on they may lose in the progress of a march. —(Applause.) Ifc was a revelation to us to see the Wellington team ou n Dunedin ground, more particularly as its ranks included in Mr M'Kenzie and Mr llar.ieantle the two players wno, of all the footballers iv the colony, have most frequently caught the referee's eye.— (A Voice : " He's gut you set, Hard. !") II waj an education to the youth of Otago to see these two playeis — (A Voice ; "II was." -Applause.) Ifc is a long while Muce I played footb ill— (laughter) — 1 am old enou^li to be the father of some of you — and in my days tome of the play that I s*w this afternoon would have been called l^ougb, and ev.;n brutal -(4. Voicn : " Oh, you're not up to date.") Precisely; I )ecogcirfß that. We are quite provincial in Otago ; wo have been playing matches with the representatives of a twopennyha'psimy union like Southland, which could not get even one player in tha Now Zealand team, and we have bee-ins ignorant of the niceties oc footb*)l as it is played under the new dispensation. Added to that, our re'erees have got into the habit of keeping too strict a lein iipon our player?, so that our football ua3 become the gentleefc of game?, and lias been in dangur of lo3ing what I think Mr M'Kenzio will agree with me in baying should ha regarded as its distinctive chtmcter. Happily, however, we had thii afternoon a refereo who gave a liberal interpretation to the laws, and ws have had our eyes opened— all of us except Mr Wood, who has had one of his eyes closed. — (Laughter.) That is a matter for which we lwve reason to ba grateful to tl c Wellington team and to the jeferee. It is well that we should be •reminded that

No game was ever yet worth a rap For a rational man to pluy Into which no accident, no mishap Could possibly find its way.

Of that we got a reminder this afternoon — players and spectators, but especially the players.— (Liughter.) We have been shown what re.il, bard, clashing forward play is— we have learnt that in a forward rush the player must " keep on kicking." as I heard tha instruction shoutei to the \\ ellingfcon team this afternoon, even though it is a nun's head and uot the ball that is in front. We have been s>howu hew a man runt ing ■with the ball can be stopped in hia career just as successfully with a well-directed clenched fist as with a low tackle, and the former method has tbe advantage over the latter that the player' who was running has hia usefulness impaiied for the rest of the game. We have learnt; that it is not even necessary that players should have tbe ball between them before they should start a trial of strength in n wrestling match. Wo have learnt that a game of football need not only be restricted to the 30 players, but that there is a precedent for inviting the spectators to take a band in tbe melee.— (A. Voice : "He has got you set, Hard !') The Otago players were, moreover, I understand, taught something during the match in tbe direction of the use of polite and refined language. Hie lessm is one tha memory of which will, I have no doubt, be long retained by some of us. I used 3iv no more to commend to you the toast of ihe Wellington team, which I shall ask you to drink with appropriate honours. — (Applause.) That was nob, however, what Mr Gallaway did say. • . " Besides the president of the Otago Union two members of tho committee of that body spoke at the 'dinner — Messrs F. H. Campbell and W. J.~ Strong — and neither of them said anything out of which the construction can be taken that they denied that there was the slightest ground for stigmatising the play as rough. Mr Campbell has been cited from Wellington as haviog supported Mr Gallaway'a remarka. The dullest-headed listener again ! Mr Campbell did say that the Wellington forwards had taught the Otago forwards something that afternoon. Something ! Mr Campbell left his audience fo define what that "something" wag, and the dullest-headed listener -has jumped to the conclusion that a compliment wss beiDg paid to the Wellington forwards. Mr Strong, ao far from denying that the play was rough, actually suggested that ifc had been, for in a paternal manner, as became one who was a representative player before some of the players of thab afternoon had cut their wisdom teetb, he declared that several of them bad been unruly iv the course of the match. But why, it may be asked, should the officials of the Otago Union have gone out of their way to declare that the play had not been rough ? The dinner was on the Saturday evening, and the public charges of rough play were not made until the following Monday, through the columns of the public press. Does not the statement by the Post correspondent, unjustifiable though it is, that on the Saturday evening the officials of the Ot*go Union denied that the vlay had beeu tough involve the admission that

before the after-dinner speeches there had been talk among the players of roughness during the match ?

■ . • Even if officials of {he Otago Union and Otago players had, from motives of generosity, denied that the play had been rough, the pre»«, as the mouthpiece of the public, would still have had its duty to perform, and that duty, under any circumstances, would not have been shirked. " Quidnunc," of the Canterbury Times, attempts to excuse the Wellington players in the following statement: " The plain fact of the case is that the Otago public not having seen many northern teams play in Dunedin of recent years do not know now what re»l hard, dashing forward play is, and mistake it •for roughness. Tho back play in Canterbury and Otago has been, nursed and fostered at the expense of the forward, and when a rushing, tearing team of good-conditioned forwards come along the spectators and others cannot quite get the hang of a.ff airc." There speaks Sir Oracle, bur, with all respect to him, and notwithstanding what he may have beeu told, the "rmhing, teariugteam of good-conditioned forwards " exhibited none of their "dashing"' qualities here, and they were certainly not superior to 'the Otago team in the loose, in which they might have been expected to be particularly " rushing" and "tearing." As a matter of fact, " Qujdnuue." in his anxiety to find an excuse for tho roughness of his northern friend*, has overlooked what he wrote only a line or two above the statement I have just quoted, because in another passage in. tbe same paragraph be says that, affeer Olago'a first try, " shaking themselves together the Wellington forwards by their da^h and determination frustrated all attempts at profitable passing by their opponents, and by making the g»ma a forward 011 a, when they had possession the play became slow and uuintereßting." The eight of the Wellington focwards " rushing and tearing" when they hid m\de the play " slow and uninteresting " would have been both novel and amuting, bub we. did nob see it. The excuses offered by " Quidnunc " will not bear the application of common sense to them.

• . • But-, then, the Wellington team call an important witness for their defeuce, and his evidence is introduced in a Press Association telegram from Wellington with, metaphorically speaking, a loud fl 'Urisb, of trumpets. The Wellington representatives were entertained at a luucheon on their return home, and Mr J. P. Fiith, who i.», says the telegram in question, well known in the football world for his judicial bearing in these matters, in a letter of apology for his absence, said: "After seeing th<a men play in tbe match a 1 ; Ohris^cburch I Sod it impossible to believe the reports of rough play alleged against tbe team at Duaedin. I am fercad to conclude that x beaten town has attributed to them brubal play iv mistake for the fatt dashing rushes by wh'ch th*y have so distinguished themselves." Butler, of Glenbrook notoriety, was tbe smartest seaman on board the Swanhilds, and therefore could not poßsibly have committed the murders for which he wao tried and hanged ! Robert?, the Poneke player, is said to have played the b'St back game in the match befcweeu the North and South Islands at Wellington in June last. Id it possible, after that, that he can h-vvo deserved being reported for misconduct at Auckland six or eight weeks later ? Mr Firth, who is well known for bis judicial bearing in- these matters, would say " Utterly impossible." Some little time ago in England a woman, who was an affectionate mother to her children, went home under the influence of liquor, and she has been committed for trial for murdering thorn by cutting their little throats while they were ia bed aod asleep. Is it possible that she can be guilty ? A judicial bearing such as prompted Mr Firth's belief in the innocence of the Wellington team in Dunedia would scjut the idea of the poor woman being condemned under such circumstances, for it is known that a week previously her children were happily playiag arouud het: knee. Mr Firth's contribution to the subject is really bo unique that, however h : s reputation for a judicial bearing may be affected by it, it is certain fehab his reputation as an entertainer will be materially increased.

• . • The Post says : •• The statement having gone forth that a Wellington player wsb cautioned for rough play in the Otago-Welling-ton m»tch last Saturday, we are asked by the refetee (Me W. G. Garrard) tj give such report an emphatic find unqualified denial. Mr G«rard saw no occasion to interfere sxve when an Otaßo player rather roughly handled one of the Wellington reps." I believe it is a fact that Gallagher, of the Wellington team, was nob, as was stated in the report; of the match in last week's Witness, cautioned for rough play. He committed an offence that was, in the eyes of the refere*, much more serious — he talked back at that official. And Mason, of the Otago team, was cautioned also, his offence being that be a t >p*a?ed to the re r eree on the occasion of an inf ringmenfc by a ' Wellington player. Who the Otago player was tli!vt rather roughly handled one of the Wellington representatives I do nob know, but I cou'd name Wellington representatives who bandied more than one of the Otago players roughly, and in this connection I desire to quote a very suggestive statement made by M"Kenz*e, the Wellington captain, in responding to the toast of the team at the luncheon from which Mr Firbh was absent. I quote from the report in the New Zealand Times : — "Ret'ening to the match in Dunedin, he said a member of the Otago team bad written to a friend in Chrisfcchureh stating that he (M'Keozie) had knocked ou*> three players in five minute?. Now, said M'Keczie, if I can knock three men out in five minutes I can lay up the whole team in 25 minutes, and, of course, that 'would get the match over very quickly.— (Laughter.) A3 to the game, it was a hard one, and it became much harder when the Otago men knocked about his understudy — he meant Hardcastle. — (Laughter.)" I leave it to the dullest-headed reader to take the meaning out of the last sentence.

•.• "Quidnunc," in the Canterbury Times, is responsible for the following:— "The tre«tmenfc the Wellington players received from the Dunedin public was mean, cowardly, and .contemptible — qu'ts bad enough to bring about the disqualification of Otago grounds, as regards interprovincial matches foe some time." This is a somewhat amusing suggestion. Some 25 interprovincial matche-', extending over a number of yea's, beJides matches against English and New South Wales teams, have been played in Dunedin, and the public have invariably given fair, not to say generous, treatment to the visitors, until at last a team has come bera which has shown a disregard for all the usual amenities of the game, and over which the referee — our first experience in Dunedin of a referee from outaide the place — either could not or would not exercise proper control. The provocation to anger which the public received was very great, and, as I have already said, while I do not excuse the behaviour of some of them, I do not wonder that a good many tempera were lost. ' If there is to be any disqualification incurred over the match how would it be to make a start with the referee, who by his want of firmness was responsible for the whole disturbance ?

• . • In this connection the following letter by a cgnesj3oud.en.fc wlio writes to the Wellipgtoa

evening paper and subscribes himself "Fait Play" strikes me as being apropos:— " I giva Wellington credit for their victories, but I do impartially think there is too much bitterness and rough play shown occasionally. I will first draw your attention to the interprovincial matches this year played in Wellington, and in every contest, if I judge fairly, there have beea casualties during the play. For instance, ia the Auckland and Wellington match the former had three or four players knocked out, while ia the Taranaki te.tm there were two or tbrea players who came fco grief ; co it clearly shows that there are evidently one or two men in the Wellington team who indulge rather frequently. Ib simply comes to this — Wellington will get puch a bad name thab they, will experience difficulty in getting any team to x>lay with thara. 1 regret that I have had to write to strongly, but do so in justice to the noble game and the future welfare of our rifting generation." ' . ' In the opinion of aHrge number of the spectators ab the match last Saturday week between Wellington and Obago tho police would have been justified ia interfering and removing ons cr two of those who were directly responsible for the rough play that was wibnessed. ' Such aa interference ii not precedented in thi3 colony, but recent Melbourne papers show that a precedent has occurred in Melbourne, a player named Hooper having been arrested and locked up for an assault committed by him in a rns.tch on the 21*b August between the Albion United (to which he belonged) .and Richmond City Clubs. As a wing player, "Dicky" Bearoan, tha smallc&fc member of the City Club, had to "watch" the priioner, over whom he invariably showed to advantage. This seems to hAve exasperated his opponent, who in the final quarter de»lb him a sbunniug blow in the forehead, inflicting an ugly wound immediately over tho eyo. Bleeding copiously the injured youth was borne off the ground and tnkeu to * locnl surgeon, who placed half a doz-n stitches in the wouad. Hooper was arrested by a police constable, and, being brought before the Richmond Court, where he declared that the blow wai quite accidental, was fined £2 and 10» costs, wibh the alternative of seven days' imprisonment. • . • The following comments by " Touchline " in the Southland News upon the Welling-ton-Southland match should, in vi»w of later developments, bs read with interest : — " I have no hesitation in saying thab the match in question was one of the roughest ever wibnessed on the ]qe\l ground, the fault invariably being with tho visitors. From start to finish the northerners pursued this course, and the spectators, who are usually fair to visiting teams, were in consequence very much againsl; them, and gave no encouragement; for some of their really brilliant play. The winners stated, after the game, that they considered ib a quiet one, ' - aad nobbing like what takes place in cup matches in Wellington. If that be so, football, as played under tbe eye 3of the lauded New Zealand Union ab its headquarters, stand? in need of thorough reorganisation. So knocked about were the local men bhab had they had another engagement within three days, as was. the caie with their opponents, more than half their nuoabcr would nob have been fib to take the field. Besides roughness, the winners are also to be censured for the ainounb of ' pointing' they indulged ir, such as knocking the ball <5u and playing offside intentionally, and alao tackling men who were nob in possession ot bhe b*U."

' . * What a contrast between the match on the Cariabrook ground lasb Saturday week and, that on tha Caledonian ground lasb Saturday. In the latter, no doctors, no blood, no bandages, no •• damping," no bickering, no ill-feeling — a. game played in the friendliest of spirit and in tbe best of good tempar on both sides. The attendance was of considerable dimensions, and the crowd was, I should think, as Good humoured as was ever seen on a football field, cheering the visitors even more heartily than the local man, and chaffing both teams impartially on the amusing little miehaps which now and »gaiu occurretf. The spirit id*whioh the match was I played and with which ifc was witnessed could not possibly have been bitter, and I question very much whether Iho Canterbury players, defeated though they were, did not derive aa much enjoyment from the contest as did the vrinuiog fifteen. Afc the conclusion of the mutch the Canterbury players, aa they left the field of ' play, were greeted with three cheers by the (spectators, while thrcp very hearty ones were giveu also for the referee, Mr M'Kobie, whose du'ies were uueommoily light and agreeable, and were discharged in a distinctly successful nwiner. As he drove off for town, also, Mr M'Kobio was loudly cheered by a little crowd who had gathered to see the teams leave tha ground in their drags. • . ' The play was much more open and interesting than that in the match on the previous (Saturday, and for the first time in the interprovincial matches -ia which the Otago tsarn has been engaged this season was tha back play of the home team brought- fairly into 1 operation. The rftau.lt was that, although th» . ball was not too easy to handle, some excellent passing was' witnessed. The Canterbury team was distinctly outclassed behind the scrum, and it is doubtful whether there is any depsrrnvenf; of the 1 game in which' it was superior to the home players. The Blues' forwards obtained ihe ball most frequently from the scrummage, had the advantage as a rule on the line out;, and more than held their own in the loose. The majority of the Canterbury forward* seemed to me to be too heavy and slow, and their weight no doubt told againsb them on a ground which, though not holding, wag on tbe soft side. However useful these players might ba in a slow game they were out of the running in a fa-sb and open game such as last Saturday's match wa«, excepting during a portion of the second spell. Fitz* gerald, notwithstanding that he threw away what should have been a try for his side, seemed to me to be about the pick of the Red->' forwards, but Frost was also noticeable, and Thomson and Lynskey did good work. Priest was, I fancy, the most consistently prominent of tbe Otago forwards, while Given and Hobson also showed up well. ' . • The Canterbury backs were rather disappointing, the weakest member of the combination being Middletou, who, though he received the ball often enough from Price, was by no means successful in getting it oaS to the three-quarter back line. O'Brien did * lot oii fine work in stopping rushes and Meuzies ran aad kicked well, while Giennie played an average game, and Lorimer, the full back, kicked well bub tackled indifferently. Armib did least ratisfactory work among the Blues' backs. He played without mittens, and several times muffed the ball when Wood cent it to him, otherwise the Oiago score would almost certainly have been increased. Hia bumping runs, however, gained a good deal of ground, and his screw kicking into touch was very. neat. Fell handled the ball beautifully, and his torn of speed must have been a revelation to tha visitors. His second try, when he ran round threa or four of the Canterbury backs, was tha most showy o£ the day,, bub the previous one,, when he dashed over the line near the cornerrepeating a performance of a minute earlier— was, I think, meritorious. Wood played a rattliDg game» and the dodgy run with which, £«'

ecored in the first spell, going on his own , instead of passing out to Fell, whom the Reds * were crowding out to block, was one of the neatest pieces of play in the match. Ross had alniott a sinecure and ra&de but one mistake, while the half backs all played capitally. Maeon was particularly quick in getting tho ball out ; Duncan played wiih good jadgnionfc and followed up exoelleotly, and M'Ara fielded very cleverly and passed well, but lost the ball generally when he elected to try and dive tnreogh the opposing ranks.

'.• The hou. eecretary of the Ofcago Rugby Union has received a requisition for a special general meeting to consider a proposal for the severance of the connection of the O R F.U. with the New Zealand Union, and, in the event of that bsing carried, to consider proposals haying for their object the establisbmest of an alliance between the unions of tbe South Island. Little surprise will be felt at the movement for tbe severance of the connection with the New Zealand Union, and the feeling ia, I think, pretty general, even among those who supported the affiliation of. the O.U.P.U. to tbe central body, ' that the latter is doing nothing to justify its existence, and that it were better, in the interests of Rugby football in the colony, tUafc bhe " happy . despatch " should be given to it. It is unnecessary -for me to say that I have not, and never have had, a particle of sympathy with the New Zealand Union, but it seems to me that those who ate responsible for the requisition for the special meeting are really putting the carfr before the horse, and that, instead of making the consideration of pro-. po3alg for the establishment; of an alliance of South Island onioni contingent upon the adoption of a motion in favour of secession from the New Zealand Uoion, the coucre which expediency dictates is to communicate with the South Island unions first; and ascertain whether they ara willing to form,the desired alliance before adopting the extreme step of catting the frayed cord at present binding the 0ta.30 Union to bhe New Zealand Union. There is such a feeling of dissatisfaction in the Canterbury Union *b present with the way in which the New Zealand Union is pleased to consider it mauages its affaire that probably,Oanterbury may agree to co-operate in the formation of a South Island alliance, which Southland would no doubt also ]oin. If the three unions of Canterbury, Otftgo, and Southland agreed upon the formation of a South Island union, or alliance, or league, the Sonth Canterbury and W«s>; Coast unions would doubtless come in sooner or later, leaving Nelson aod Mar] bo rough to throw in their lot with the northern unions.

• . ■ The weekly meeting of the committee of the Otago Rugby Union, held on Monday, •was attended by STeisrs GdlJaway (president), Wilson, Campbell, Duncan", Harris, Ifaacs, M'Laren, Strong, Torrance, and Hutchison. Mr Wilson, r.uo having been present at tbe dinner after th-s Wellington-Ofcago matoh, inquired if it was correct, as had been alleged in the Wellington papers, that Meaira Galiaway and Campbell had denied that there was any rough play in that matcb. Bjfch gentlemen stated that it was not a feet that- they htd denied that.' tbe play was rough. Mr Gallaway mentioned that his aim,"aß chairman at the dinner, ' was to make the meeting pass off as ple'aeantljr.as possible, and in order to do so, after apologising for'what he thought a very unfortunate "display of fetliog on tha part of some of. tha crowd, he Went; on to say that, though the game had no'j been played with bid gloves, he thought all footballers would agree with him that their troubles ought to be left; on the football field, and thtt he made no further allusion whatever to tho game. The secretary was instructed to thank the Caledonian Society for the fairness with which it h*ad met the committee in regard to the pround for the Canterbury-Otago m'ttch.

■ . * The expenses of tbo Wellington team during ite tour in the South Island amounted to about £154.

• . * Tug Wellington Union intends (according to a Press A ssociation telegram) to move in tho matter of allegations of rough play against its team in the Otago-Wellingtou match. The New Zealand Union has also decided to ask both the Wellington and Ofcsgo Unions what action, if any, they propose to' take in the matter. What action can tbe Ofago Uoion take P Its player* behaved themselves xnd none of them have been reported by the referee, neither have they been accused of rough play by the press, which represents the prosecution en this occasion.

• . • A letter has been received by the New Zealand Union from the New South Wales Union a tat ing that nothing definite has been done about the visit of an English team. If such a team came it would probably be under the auspices of tbe English Union and at the expense of the New South Wales Union, which would require some compensation if the team visited Naw Zealand.

• ./ A Wesfcporb telegram says that in the final football match for the championship Weeiport defeated Denniston by a ported goal (4- points) to 'a try (3. points). This is the first time DeunUton has lost the championship since its institution four years ago.

I'HE W6LLINGTON-OTAGO MATCH. (FaoM Oor Own Correspondent.)

Wellington, September 15.

The New Zealand Times ssya editorially regardingthealleged br.utal play in the WellingtonOt»goTootb»ll match that it cannot credit the statements made by the Otago Daily Times and the Star, which it describes as somewhat hysterical. It adds: " Enough has been said, however, to render an inquiry necessary, not only in the interests of fair play to the Wellington team, but in the iuteresls a's> of our nbtional game. The matter canno'b be allowed to rest where it i?, nor do we beiiave that the unions interested would desire that it ehould." The Time?, however, in another paragraph, rather lets the cat oub of the bag by Btatirg in the same column "that there has, in apite of the rules laid down for the control of matches, entered into the grand old game a style of playwKiob, if persevered in will convert the football ground into an arena where men will go at the imminent risk of their lives. It is only too true that men and youths deliberately practice the art of 'flattening oub' opponents in' theic gymnasiums, aad that at times men are terribly injured through the dexterity acquired by many of the players in tbe process of trafning. This is, of course, a serious accusation to make, bub if anyone chooses to go on to a football field and listen to the advice given by certain of the spectators as to who is to be ' laid oub •" or « stiffened,' and note ab the same time how often this advice is acted upon, he will be forced to the conclusion that football is rapidly becoming— if, indeed, it has nob already arrived at that stage,— nob a trial of endurance, speed, and knowledge of the game, but a combat between two sets of men in which it is the maßifesb desire of all engaged to maim each other. We regrefc having to make these remarks, bub they are certainly justified by the reports published of the games played, nob to speak of other evidences which come to the knowledge of the public. Then there is the unruly conduct or the men off the field. This has become a peeEect scandal, and instead of the unions taking

the evil by tlae throat they play with ifc, and thus perpetuate the mischief." The statement that men and youths deliberately practise the art of "flattening ouk" opponents in theic gymnasiums can only ba taken to refer to Wellington footballers, and if the statement is eorreat inquiry should at onco be made into it. The Wellington team returned from the south this afternoon, but, notwithstanding the fact that the local union advertised with a viow to getting up a demonstration of welcome, there were only about 200 people down to moefc the staamsr and the cheering, which was led off by Mr George Fisher, M.H.R., was anything bat tumultuous.

To-night'a Posb says : — " There is reason to 1 fear that the players displayed a roughness and brutality which would go a very loag way towards depriving our national game of public support. There has been * -deterioration of late in the moral tone of the football field. There is lew of that sportsmanlike pluck which is willing to Sght hard for the palm of victory, but always ready to besbow it ungrudgingly up an the real winner. There is more of that ignoble spirit of base emulation which will win at all risky, in a legitimate and gentlemanly way if possible ; if uo\ in some other way. We had hoped that it was a. long way yet to the tima when we should have had to gay 'anything against football 'in our midst, bub unless our men can at once clear themselves of the charges publicly levelled at them wefeel that someaction should be baleen to show the resenbmenb with which the general public and all true athletes must regard proceedings calculated to degrade a fiae and noble game to the lerel of a prize fight. Mr G-Ulaway, president of the Ofcajo Union, and other officers denied the imputation of rough pl»y, and censured the mob which •barracked' the Wellington team, bub ifc is not probable that two of our Dunediu contemporaries should h*ve used the language they did- totally without cause."

September 19. There is still a great deal of ta'k in football circlei about the Otago-Wellington match, and articles and letters outinue to appear in the newspapers regarding the alleged rough p'.ay. The Times, in the course of au article, says : — " Even admitting that the Wellington men transgressed, there yet remains tho datnniog fact, so far as Ot-»ga is concerned, that the conduct; of the upeotators of the game was disgraceful in the extreme. Some harsh words have been used coacerning Hardcastle.* For far loss provocation than he received any man with a spark of manliness in him might; be excused for sound Jy thrashing the blackguard who would use tho worJs which were Merdanaed at the Wellington player, and perhaps it is as well tbat the later r was unable to identify those who were so shockingly offensive to him. We have no wish to prejudice the matter, and as the Wellington Union has determined to sift whole thing to the bottom there is no necessity to say more ab the present juncture. If, however, the charges laid, not by the Wellington men, hub by the Dunediu and Chri^tcuurch journals, at the door of the spectators of the interprovincial gams last Saturday can be proved, then the Wellington U.-.ion should resolutely refuse ever again to play on an Otago field."

Some of the Wellington players and the Evening Post reporter maintain that Mr Galiaway admitted there was no undue rough play on the part of the visiting teavn. M'Kenzie {captain of the Wellington tei»m) writes io the Post denying that he was guilty of any exfcraordiuary conduct in the streets after the match. He also deuiea the allegations of rough play. M'KeDzie states that, according to the referee, he was the man who was roughly handed by one of the Obago men, but, adda the captain of the Wellington team, " I would not have known he was roughly handling me if Me Garrard had not informed me af leewards. This shows that Mr Garrard did have his eyes open to notice any undue horseplay."

THE DISQUALTFEO PLAYERS,

Wellington, S -ptemb9r 14.

Thfl bungling and incapacity of the New Zealand R&gby Union i-i at length begiuoiug to be noticed by the local clubq and player*. The Melrose Club held a meefciog last nig'nt to consider the action of ill*) New Zealand Uaion in disqualifying one of its m-smbers who was in the New Zealand beam that reoently visited Australia. The secretary explained the charges that were preferred against; the member referred to. He also said that ia conversation with an official of the New Zealand Union be referred to the charges made against the member, when the offi ii*l said he would advise him to keep quiet and be would get off lightly, and tui£ he was only being drawn in to put someone else " up." Mr Grant read tbe correspondence that had taken place between himself and Ml' StuartMeateath referring to the matter, in which the the latter stated thit the union hal no legal jurisdiction, but ouly -appellate jurisdiction. A letter had also been sent to Mr A. M. De Coita, secretary of the New Zealand Union, asking for a copy of the evidence, and a reply had been received that the letter should have been sent through the' "Wellington Union. Mr Grant remarked that the inquiry should also bave taken place through tho Wellington Umoa. Any accused parson h%d a right to hear the evidence against him before being convicted. The whole thing was a scandalous shame. If the member of the club was guilty he should be di-qaalifiaS, but he had the right to bear tbe evidence against him. He believed the Wellington Union was cob going to endorse the disqualifications, and the members of tbe club chould band together and help their disqualified dubmate to light the matter out. Mr Caln*n said the charge on which h<3 was disqualified he was quite innocent of. He had not had a fair trial. A*; the inquiry he was asked those questions, and ho reticed from the room at the request of the committee. He had not seen th 9 evidence, and considered he had not been justly dealt with. Other members spoke very strongly on the subject, and eventually it wai decided to confer with tho Poneke Club as to what action should bo taken in forcing the hand of the New Zealand Rugby Union in disclosing the evidence against the disqualified players. This and the charges of brutality against the players in the recent Wellington-Otago match form the principal topics of conversation amongst footballers here for the time being.

September 15.

The Management Committee of the Wellington Rugby Union refuses to endorse the disqualifications made recently by the New Zealand Rugby Union. The Poneke Club also protests against the action of the New Zealand Rugby Union, which the chairman at a club meeting characterised as scandalous. The Post rofersin ibs ediborial columns to the disqualification question, and says the mode of procedure adopted by bhe New Zealand Rugby Uoion in ib« examination of. the charges againab cerbaia players who were in the team which represented the colony in Ausbralia has nob met with anything like complete • public approval.

CANTERBURY v. OTAGO. The annual football contest between teams

representing Canterbury and Obago was played on Saturday afternoon. Cwrisbrook ground, which had been ohosen as the scene for the struggle was' too web to play on after the heavy rain of the forenoon, and the Otago Kugby Football Union Committee arranged therefore to make the Caledonian ground the field on which the teams should try conclusions. There was a very large attendance of th« public — over 4000 at any rate. The ground was in capital condition for the match, and the day was fine though cold. Punctually at 3 o'clock che Obago captain led hia mea on to the field, and they were followed iv a few miuutos by the visitors. The teams were as uodec : — Oxagq (Dark Blue). Canterbury (lied and Black). FQUi BACKS. st 1b st lb W. Ross 12 10 6. Lorimer ... 12 2 THREE-QUARTER BACKS. A. M. Armit ... 11 10 J. O'Briea 11 0 X. Wood 11 4 E. Glennie ... 11 0 A. N./Fell ... 11 0 P. Menzies ... 11 10 HALF BACKS. J. Duncan (capfc.) 11 7 J. S. Middleton... 10 8 W. M'Ara ... 10 2 W. Price (captain) 10 2 A. Mason 9 0 FORWARDS. I W.Fatqiiharson... 12 6 A. R. Juhnstone 12 3 W. Ron Aid ... 12 0 W. Fitzgerald ... 12 0 J. R. Burfc 11 8 II Frost 11 10 P. J. Priest ...13 0 M. Lynskey ...11 7 A Hohaon ... 11 12 A. JObei-t 13 0 K. J. Stewart ...13 VT. Chambers ...12 4 F. Given 12 0 H. Thomson ... 13 0 D. M - Larau ...12 0 G. Evans 12 • 0 W. Duggan ... 12 0 The average weight on both sides was the same— viz., backs 11. 1 and forwards 12.3. Price, having won the toss, took advantage of the very slight wind and played towards the harbour cud. Priest kicked off, and Lynskay'a return was smothered by Duncan, who h&d followed up very fast. The Reds started a rush, which was stopped by M'Ara. Menzies gob the ball, and ran well bill he was I tackled by Fell and grassed, and a kick by Middleton carried bhe play to the Otago twenty-five. Slowly Otago worked ib back, until, Given being off-side, a free kick was given to the visitors. Fitzgerald took a long kick ab goal from midfUld, which was charged down, and the ball was kicked to O'Brieu, who ; returned nicely bo the half-way flag. In some loose play Ebert came to the front, and with a strong kick scut the leabher to the home team's twenty-five, whera Priesb gob into possession and made a short run. Thomson started off, bub was soon blocked, and the b»U went to Fell, who made « capital run along the line well ia'.o the Canterbury territory. Ma<on and Wood aftarwardd handled the bill, but they made little progress. Fell made another strong rim, dodging Meuzies, who did his best to sSop him, and quick and hob work followed ab the Botch-weit corner, ending ia Duncan scoring. The kick at goal wan not what was desired. Ofcago, 3 points ; Caut^rbury, nil. lh'oin a scruui at the centre Mason gob the ball and the Blues' forwsrda ma.de their way to the Reds' qu«feer-lme, where O'Brien came to hia side's reaeuo Outgo again pub on the pressure, and tho visitors were forced. A serviceable kick along the line by Masoa saw bhe pay again in the Canterbury quarters, buS Mwnzres, by a strong kick, 1 put his team in a better position. Otago returned to the charge and again the visitor^' good defensive tactics were utilised bo tho utmosb and wibh success. Canterbury got away, and the bill went; to the Obago ground, whertf Fell and Wood both attempted to t*ke ifc, bat between them fiey lo^S it, and Fitzgerald coming up fast carried ib to Roes, when he passed wiMly. The ball waa then kicked over the line aod onb of bpanda. Canterbury again came away with a ■etiv>rig rush, and Wood aud Ross getting in each other's way Meuzies picked ap smartly aud imu over the line near the corner flag amid great cheers. Fit zgeral-d's kick travelled wide oi the mark. Canterbury, 3 points ; Obago, 3 points. V/ood &nd Annid pub in good runs, and the latter kickiog nicely into the centre the forwards followed the ball and pinned fcue Reds io theic ground nob far from the goal pasts. Middleton brought much-needed relief to his side with a powerful kick. Hot work ensued, and in the scramble it was hard to see the ball, but it somehow found its way to Wood, who made a dodgy run, parsing several of his opponents, and scared .neap the po-)ts. He took the kick hiuuelf, bub failed. Otego, 6 points ; Canterbury, 3 points. Canterbury kicked out, but one of the Reds being in front a scrum was formed ia their ground. Armit made a run acius* th«j field, g'iniug only a few yards, and the visitors worked tbeir w»V neutral territory, where play took plaoe for some minutes, nothing noteworthy occurring. Daucan gob bhe ball bebi«d bbc scrum and kicked, taking play into the Reds' ground. From a scrum the baU went to Ma*on, then in turn to Duncan, M-'Ar*. Wood, and Armit, but littls ground was gained. Io then travelled to the otlier side of the field, where Fell m-tde off, but he was too well watched to get away any disbance. By degrees the Reds worked the ball oub of their quarters, and their backs made a good run, transferring neatly from one to the other ; bub Foil, again getting possession, carried the ball into the Redo' ground, and then passed to M'Ara, who was ooll*red. The OUigo forwards kept the ball among thtm, aud carried ib to the corner, where Duncan again scored. Priest'a kick went wide. Otago, 9 points ; C*nberbury, 3 points. Fitzgerald gob away, but M'Ara, slapped his career, and Mason kicked down to the visitors' tweuty-five. M'Ara initiated a passing run, which was spoiled by Wood transferring badly to Armit, the ball going oub at the quarter fl*g. Half-time was then called. »

When the ball was again in motion, the local team assumed tiie aggressive, and within fire minutes of the start the visitors were forced. Hobson got a mark, and the ball went to Middleton, who mulled it, and the'Blues'forwards were again iv their opponenta'^ground. Mason ran from a scrum, and the ball alterwards passed to Daacan, Wood, and Foil, the last-named getting across the line. Tbe referee decided, however — and no doubt he was right — that Wood'a pass was forward, and a scrum was formed near the line. Almost immediately, bowever, Mnson again gDb the ball, and after a run passed to Fell, who dashed over near the oorner amid greab applause. The kick wav not a succe-is. Otago, 12 points ; Canterbury, 3 points. For a time the ball was at the centre, bub Stewart made a serviceable kick which caused the Redg to act on the defeasive. O'Brien got away, and made a good run, which was followed by a dribble by Bbert, Armit kicking out at the Blues' twentyfive. The ball went to Menz ; es, who got away very smartly, bus Fell managed to catch him by the heel, knocking him over as he reached the line, with the result that he losb possession of the ball, Ofcftgo being, however, forced. At this stage the Canterbury captain, with a view to cheek the pasting of the Blue*' backs, pub Jobnstone, wing forward, oub among his backs. Priesb and Stewarb wera to the fore iv a loose rush, after which Canterbury secured a momentary advantage, which Armib nullified by a cupibal kick. For a bime the ball was in the centre, and the Reds' forwards, playing with capital datth, then changed the scene of

play to the Obago bwenty-five, where the visitors were allowed a penalty kick, Fell, when off-side, tackling Menzies. Fitzgerald's kick sent the ball over the bar. Otago, 12 points ; Canterbury, 6 points. Wood kicked well over the half-way line, bub once more bhe Reds' forwards charged along, only to be met, however, by a solid body of Blae», who retaliated in a way that was much admired. Mason gob the b%ll from a scrum, and Duncan, M'Ara, Wood, and Arnaitaach handled it, the last-named actually gebtiog over the line, when O'Briea tackled him, and the leabher slipped out of his hands, the Reds, being forced. When tha ball was kicked out, M'Ara got ib and passed to Armit, whose kick caused tha R*.ds' line to ba again iv danger. Loose play followed near the goal posts, and Armit, after a short; run, passed to Wood, who gob across the line near the corner. Stewart's kick went a little wide. Otago, 15 points ; Canterbury, 6 points. The Reds then had a look in, and Prioe got iuto a' good position, having only the full back to pass, bub he collided wibh one of his own side, and the ball wenb oub. A run, in which Mason, Armifc, and Wood took parb, wa9 stopped ab the centre by Lorimer.' Mason got the ball again shortly afterwards and made oiF, and when blocked he passed nicely to Fell, .who, with a splendid effort, easily rau round Menzies and Lorimer and scored behind tha posts. Mason succeeded with" the kick. Time was called a minute later, with the score : Otago ...*' 2o points Canterbury... 6 points

Mr A. M'Hobie (fnvercargill) acted as referee, giving satisfaction' to both side", and to the spectators as well. Messrs W. Rsvell (Canterbury) and H. Harris (Otago) were the touch judces.

The match proved very interesting from a spectator's point of view, being open and fast. There can bs no doubt tbat the better team won, and that the victory was mainly due to the splendid exhibition given by^the Otago backs, who fairly paralysed the Canterbury men. The visitors were very slow in getting the ball away from the scrum when they did get ib, and losb many a chance by failing 'to take tbe ball cleanly, allowing the opposing forwards to get en to them. Their collaring, too, was weak. The forwards were pretty evenly matched, bub the local men beab their opponents ab setting possession in the sorums, aud also in the loose. Towards the end the Canterbury forwards seemed to tire, partly, no doubt, owing to the heaviuess of the ground.

Rosy, the Blues' fall back, had very little to do, and made lo mistakes. F«?ll played a brilliant gttme, taking the ball and running in fine style. He made some Bla«hing runs. Oa one occasion he ran right round the opposing backs and touched down behind the posts, for which he was loudly cheered. Wood also mad 9 some good runs, bat should have looked before he pasted instead of passing so wildly. Otherwise he did well. Armib kicked well, and must have f cored twice had he taken tbe ball cleanly. Mason play? d a great game. The way he gc-b the ball out to Duncan was wonderfully smart. Ho also saved a lob by his printing iuto toucb. M'Ara passed and ran we>l and stopped many a dangerous rusb, while Duncan was in good form, being here, there, and everywhere. His following up was very noticeable. He was also responsible for tno'.t of the passing runs, beating hi-3 man fre quentJy. The pick of the Otago forwards were Prieafc, Given, S'ewartt and M'l»aren, the nVit-nam y d being particularly good on the line. Furquhar^on- worked hard in the scrums.

On the Canterbury side, Lorimer, full back, was decidedly off-colour, getting his team into trouble time after time. Menzies was the bpsb of the Ihree-q»artor«, making some dH*bin# runs. Gieanie, ati centre, was safe, O'Brien ran and kicked well, bub did not play up to his ÜBual form. Price and Middle! on played fine, defensive games, using the touch-line to advantage. PMce started a few passing rushes which Raised a good deal of ground. Of the forwards, Thomson, Frost, Fi'zgerald, and Lynskoy were peraopj the most conspicuous. The following are the results of previous matches between the provinces : — IS7B. — At Dnaedin— Brawn, no score !879. — At Oims,lchurch— Drawn, no score 18S0. — At JJunedin — Drawn, 1 tiy ejeh 1881.— At Uhristchurch -Otago won by 1 goal and 1 try to nil 1882.— At Mosgi«l— Otago won by G goals and 3 tries to nil

3883 —At Chriatchurch— Otago won by 1 goal and 3 tries to nil

3884. — At Dunedin — Canterbury won by 1 goal to 1 try ISBS. — At Christchurch — Canterbury won by 1 goal aad 2 tries (9 pointf) to nil. 1886.— At l>unedin— Drawu, no score 1837.— At Christchurch— Drawn, 1 goal each 18SS.— At Dunediu— Otago won by 1 g<al and 4 tries to nil

1889.— At Ctmstchurch— Otago won by 3 goals (9 points) to 1 try 38.90 -At Dunedin— Otngo won by 2 goMs and 3 tries (9 points) to 1 goal and 1 try (4 points) 1801.— At Ohristchurch.— l >tago won by 3 goals (8 points) to 1 goal (.1 points) 1892.— AtDunedin— Oautarbury won by 1 goal and 2 tries (7 points) to I goal (4 points) 189.J.'— At Khristchurch— Canterbury won by 1 goal (5 point-!) to 1 try (2 points) IS93.— At Duncdin— Otago won l<y 2 goals and 1 try (13 points) to 2 g^als and 1 try (11 points) 1890 —At ChristchurcU— Otago won by 1 goal and I try (S points) to 2 tries (6 points) IS97.— At Punedin— Otago won by 1 goal and 5 tries (iO point*) to a penalty goal and 1 try (o 1 points).

Obago has won 10 of the 19 matches and Canterbury four, while five games have been drawn.

WELLINGTON v. HAWKB'S BAY:

Wellington, September 18

Wellington played their lasi interprovincinl match of 1 he reason against Hawke's Bay to-day, in tbe presence of about 2000 people. The day was fine, but a cold easterly win.d was blowing almost across the ground. The visicors proved much too weak foe the powerful beam of forwards opposed to them, the local fifteen being almost identical with that which came so ne*r beating Auckland, and stronger than the one which recently returned from the southern tour, and four tries were pub up in each spell. On crossing over Hanke's Bay had some help from the wind, and »s the Wellington men took it ea«y and indulged in experimenting they made a better show. Ab one time about half of tho Blacks' team had turned themselves into backs, and often potted at goal. None of the kicks came off, bub two tries resulted from following them up. This careless play resulted in the Hawke's Bay men getting a try. Speedy found an openiog, and dashing away with the ball at his feeb got over the line, this being really a first-clast. piece of play. Williams kicked a goal, and as the same player had previously dropped a beautiful goal from some 30 yards in front of the posts he gave a respectable appearance to the score. Only one of Wellington's tries was converted. The place kicking was not good, a 1 though Campbell hit tha bar once. The score ab the fioish was : Wellington, 26 points ; Hawke's Bay, 9 -points. In fairness to the Wellington men ib should be said that there was nob a vestige of rough play — in facb, they were the only ones who got any marks ab all. The crowd were keenly watching for anything of the kind, and, while highly approving theic

own men's dashing play, were evidently ready to come down severely on any unnecessary htrshne&s. It was noticeable that the backs, who performed so poorly against Auckland showed great improvement. Tbo visitors' backs kicked remarkably well, but wera kepb on the defensive all the time! Ooe or two of the forwards played above the average, and Speedy proved himself % very g6od man indeed.