A NEW ZEALAND REP. IN ENGLAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 2523, 23 July 1902, Page 57

A NEW ZEALAND REP. IN ENGLAND.

GEORGE SMITH APPROACHED BY

AIANNINGHAM. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM FOR ENGLAND. 7 Bell Vue, Bradford. June 10. 1902. Dear Full Back, — Just a line, as I am v.ff to Blackpool, a favourite North of Englaid watering place. You will no doubt know by this time that I am leaving for home (Duneclin) at the beginning of August. Mannmgham Football Club have offered me a, good thing to stay the coming season, but am afraid to keep my wife here another •winter, as the last was co severe, and she has not fully reco\ered from a severe cold contracted about Christmas time. I cm sorry; would like to have hud another sear son here, as I have had a real good time. I was the highest scorer for the team for the season, and have been a big success. A large dinner is to be given to me by the olub on my return from London aftor seeing the Coronation. Have seen George Smith in> London: ho looks real well. Should •win the Hurdle Championship easily. [Smith won the 120 Hurdles in 16sec] "i have entered him for tie Hudderifield sports; he is going to stay with me here. The club sent me down to London especially to get him to sign on for next season. They have offered him £100 for signing on, and £3 per week — not bad for a season's football. Smith will say nothing till ait^r the championship meeting. Re the New Zealand team for England, there is not to much money in the spec, as tho New Zealand Union thinks. Amateur Rugby footi>aU, a 9 played in the South of England, is very poor, both in the playing of the game and the smallness of the gates, and none of the professional Rugby teams are making money; nearly all the best teams finished vp with st season's tost. I firmly believe in

eight years' time there will be no such thing as Rugby football in England. Association is the big draw now, and two big professional Rugby teams in Lancashire have decided to change from Rugby to Footer. A first-class New Zealand team will have no difficulty in winning matches here, but the financial success is another thing. I saw Yorkshire beat Australia at Leeds. I never 6aw such a poor exhibition as the Australia'l3 gave. Hirst and Rhodes are great players. Regards to all the boys. Geo. Stephexsox. [To my mind there is little chance of George Smith accepting Manniugham's tempting offer. The New Zealand representative has been sent Home by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association as its representative to the English Championships, and he must keep faith with that body and return to New Zealand.— Fell Back ]