RUGBY.

Otago Witness, Issue 4042, 1 September 1931, Page 46

RUGBY.

OTAGO FIXTURES September 2 —v. Manawbenua. at Palmerston North i September 5. —v. Auckland, at Auckland. September s.—Junior representative match at Palmerston. September 9. -v. Taranaki, at Hawera. September 12.—v. Canterbury, at Christchurch; Otago junior representative team v. Canterbury B team, September 12, —v. North Otago. September 19.—v. Southland, at Dunedin. AUSTRALIAN TEAM'S FIXTURES August 22 ; —v. Otago, draw, 3 points each. ~ , August 26 —v. Southland, at Invercargill; lost, 8-14. - . August 29 —v. Canterbury,*- at Christchurch: lost, 16—13. September 2—v. Seddon Shield Districts, at Nelson. , ■ September s—v. Wellington, at Wellington. September 9 —v. Maoris, at Palmerston North. , September 12 —v. New Zealand, at Auckland. September 16—v. Taranaki. September 19 —v. Hawke’s Bay. September 23 —v. Waikato, at Hamilton. KNOCK-OUT COMPETITION. TWO TEAMS UNBEATEN. The second round of the Rugby Union’s knock-out competition was continued on Saturday. Kaikorai and Alhambra are undefeated. Southern, Pirates, ZingariRichmond. Union, and Taieri have each one win and one loss, and University and Dunedin have tw<? losses each. KAIKORAI v. ZINGARI-RICHMOND. Kaikorai and Zingari-Richmond provided the 3 o’clock match at Carisbrook, and after a fast game the hill team won by 13 points to nil. The Zingari-Ricli-niand backs had several good opportunities to score, but something generally went wrong at the critical moment. Kaikorai kicked off and carried play to the Zin-gari-Riehmond twenty-five, but Garside headed a counter-attack. Rapson starting a passing movement, which saw Kilgour caught close to the line. Caradus was noticeable shortly after in a solo dash through the defence. Give and take play followed, and then Perry dribbled to the Zingari-Richmond twenty-five. The ball was kicked past Foote (full-back) and Stewart knocked on as he went across. From the ensuing scrum Watts scored, the kick at goal failing. There was no further score at half time. Kaikorai attacked on resuming, and then the Zin-gari-Richmond men carried play to their opponents’ twenty-five. The ZingariRfthmond backs were not frightened to throw the ball about, but they could not finish off the movements. Perry scored a good try after a dribbling rush (Botting converting), and Black scored towards the end of the game. Perry converting. Mr F. Swete was the referee. PIRATES v. UNIVERSITY. Pirates kept University very busy right through the first spell in the early match at Carisbrook, and Giles scored at the end of a good bit of passing. He failed to convert, but was successful with a penalty shortly after. The Blue forwards went better in the second half, but the backs were given few chances. From loose play at the Pirates’ twentyfive the ball was kicked clean past Walker (full-back), and Strang followed through fast to score a good try. Lindsay’s kick fell short. A free kick by Strang struck the crossbar. The Blues again surged to the line, but could not finish off the attack, and the game ended in a win for Pirates by 6 points to 3 points. Mr S. Andrews was the referee. SOUTHERN v. DUNEDIN. In a game which was characterised by scrambling and uninteresting play almost throughout. Southern defeated Dunedin by 5 points to nil at Bathgate Park in the second round of the Knock-out Competition. Southern kicked off, and a lengthy period of desultory play in midfield followed. The ground was very heavy, and any attempts on the part of either set of backs to get into action were hampered considerably. As the result of solid packing. Southern forced their way to Dunedin’s line, but a force down relieved the situation. A good rush by the Southern rearguard ended in Niven scoring behind the posts, Bolton converting. Hard packing by Southern kept Dunedin penned in their twentyfive, and from a penalty Bolton narrowly missed placing a goal. Dunedin retaliated, and for a spell confined play to Southern’s twenty-five. Southern broke away, and when in Dunedin’s territory were awarded a penalty kick, which Bolton just failed to turn to account. The spell ended shortly afterwards with the score: Southern 5. Dunedin nil. Immediately after the resumption Dunedin broke away bn a determined rush and were in an excellent scoring position when a knock on by Brown lost them the opportunity. Dunedin continued to attack strongly, but a passing rush by the Southern backs carried play into Dunedin’s twenty-five, where it remained for a period. Dunedin again took a turn at attack, and for a short spell kept Southern defending hard, but play again swung back to Dunedin’s twentyfive, where it remained until the game ended shortly afterwards, the final score being: Southern 5 points. Dunedin .’. .. .. Nil. Mr N. Reardon was the referee. ALHAMBRA v. UNION. Alhambra met Union at the North Ground, which was in very bad order as the result of the recent rain, the former winning by 12 points to 3.

Shortly after the commencement of the game Didliam, the Alhambra half, caused a sensation by breaking through the scrum and forcing his way to the corner, where he scored. The kick at goal failed. Alhambra 3, Union nil. At this time the Alhambra backs were seen in some good passing movements, in which the ball was thrown about freely, but as the game wore on the ground became in places almost a quagmire, and until the end of the first spell the two packs of forwards fought out the issue. During the latter, stages the Union forwards showed a definite superiority, and had Alhambra defending on its own line, but they could not finish their, movements. M’Queen (Union) had to retire with an injury to the ribs, and was replaced by Turner. Early in the second spell the Alhambra backs produced two good combined movements, from which L. Griffen and Williamson scored respectively, R. Callander’s attempts to convert failing in each case. Alhambra 9, Uuioif*niL The Maroon forwards then began to assert themselves, and following a useful line kick by R. Silver, who was playing well at full-back, they stormed file Alhambra line, and Henderson scored. Churchill failed to add the major points. Alhambra 9, Union 3. Play continued to swing back and forward for some time, until Callander, one of the outstanding Alhambra backs, fielded a' long kick from Silver, and raced down the field, where the ball was taken up by the forwards. It was then transferred to the backs, the ball eventually reaching J. Griffen, who went over. The kick at goal failed, and the game closed without further incident, with the score— Alhambra .. .. .. 12 points. Union 3 points. Mr A. M‘Gregor was referee. THIRD GRADE. Union 11. Dunedin 3. FOURTH GRADE. Union 3, Alhambra A 3. FIFTH GRADE. Southern 8, Alhambra nil. SIXTH GRADE. Southern 3, Kaikorai 3. JUNIOR REPRESENTATIVES. The following have been selected to play; Eastern Districts at Waikouaiti on Saturday next: —Griffiths (Zingari A), Bartlett (Southern), Turnhull (Pirates C), Hawkesworth (University C), Trochon (Ravensbourne), Miller (Port Chalmers), Rae (University C), Crammond (Port). Smith (University D). Murdoch (Ravensbourne), Potter (Port), M'Donald (Zingari A), Pithie (Pirates A), King (Alhambra B), Jackson (Dunedin). Emergencies: Baeks, Fraser (Southern). Davis I Ravensbourne); forwards. M'Donald (Training College), Stuart (Pirates C). The team will practise at Carisbrook to-morrow and Thursday at 7.45 p.m. BULLER DEFEATS MAORIS. WESTPORT, August 29. On a greasy field in drizzling rain Buller (the Seddon Shield holders) maintained their unbeaten record for the season by defeating the Maori touring team by 8 points to 7. The Buller forwards were Ute deciding factor in the game, more than holding their own with the opposing division, while the backs, though not brilliant in attack, played a magnificent defensive game, tackling the fast-moving Maoris with great determination. Goodall opened Buller’s score in a race over the line and a dive for the ball. Later Holder, with a brilliant run, cut out Ruru and sold a dummy to M'Donald to score a pretty try wide out, which the same player converted. The Maoris set up some dangerous passing runs, but vigorous tackling by the Buller backs and the difficulty' in handling the greasy ball nonplussed their efforts. Eventually they were rewarded with a try scored by Brooking, but Ruru failed with the kick. The spell ended B—38 —3 in Buller’s favour. On resuming the Maoris, with a good breeze behind them, set up a series of attacks on Buller’s line, but time and again the local forwards came up field in sweeping rushes, which the visitors found difficulty in stopping. Inside halfway Morrison drop-kicked_ at goal, the referee giving him the decision, although the general opinion seemed to be Jthat the ball dropped just under the bar. For the rest of the game the visitors tried hard to open up play, and made some brilliant passing runs, but the Buller defence was sound, and at times defence was changed-to attack, but without alteration of the score; Buller thus winning by 8 points to 7.

HAWKE’S BAY DEFEATS MANAWHENUA. NAPIER, August 29. In a game which was fast in the first, spell but somewhat dull in the second’ half Hawke’s Bay to-day defeated Manawhenua by 13 Joints to 10. WELLINGTON COLTS t. DANNEVIRKE. DANNEVIRKE, August 29. The Wellington Colts defeated Dannevirke by 24 points to 12. IN OTHER CENTRES •-WANGANUI, August 29. Technical Old Boys 8, Kaierau 7 (championship final). Pirates 10, Marists 6. Old Boys 11. Ratana 3. PALMERSTON N., August 29. United 18, Old Boys 16. FEILDING, August 29.Feilding Old Boys 9, Kia Toa 8, WELLINGTON BEATS OTAGO. FAST AND EXCITING GAME. WELLINGTON. August 29. After a fast and exciting game Wellington defeated Otago at Athletic Park to-day by 13 points to 11, the difference in pointe being the conversion of one try. Each side scored two tries and a penalty goal. Each goal was kicked bv Nicholls for and by Souter for Otago. Nicholls converted both Wellington’s tries, but Souter missed with one

kick. Throughout the game was played a* a great .pace. The Wellington backs played a better attacking game than did Otago and were usually more dangerous, especially after the ball had got out as far as the centre three-quarter. Page, and the wingers, Mackay and Ball. Otago had a slight advantage in the forwards. Wellington won the toss and from the kick-off the Otago forwards took part in two short rushes and were attacking for some time until a long kick by Pollock relieved. Barry and Jessop were prominent in a counter-rush by the Wellington forwards, but it was not long before the Otago men were back again in Wellington territory. About 15 minutes from the start both sides threw the ball about in great style and play flashed from one end of the field to the other. Just before half time, after Otago had been attacking persistently, a lineout was formed close to the Wellington line. Otago secured and after short passing between the inside backs the ball was given to Cavanagh, who scored, and Souter converted. * Half time came with Otago leadiug: Otago 5 points. Wellington .. .. Nil. Three minutes after the second spell opened Wellington was given a penalty in a handy position and Nicholls placed a goal. Otago 5 points. Wellington .. .. 3 points. A few minutes later Wellington hooked from a scrum at halfway and Coman sent the ball along the line to Mackay on the wing, who beat the opposing winger. Robilliard, and centred. The ball went over the Otago line and after an exciting scramble Ball, the other Wellington winger, managed to touch down not far from the dead ball line. Nicholls converted. Wellington .. .. 8 points. Otago 5 points. For some time play was fairly even, with the Wellington backs showing up in several attractive movements. Near halfway, however, the Otago . forwards got away and R. Allan. Simon, Hore and R i Allan again handled in an excellent short passing rush which ended in Allan scoring. Souter’s kick hit the post. Wellington .. .. 8 points. Otago 8 points. The game was played at even a faster pace from the kick-off and both full-backs were called upon frequently. After a period of indecisive play Price made a great opening and set Nicholls, Lilburne, and Page going in one of the best movement? of tlie match. Page had a clear run and sprinted to score in a handj’ position. Nicholls converted. Wellington .. .. 13 points Otago 8 points Otago replied with a forward movement which eventually took play to the Wellington line. Reid and Mackay cleared temporarily, but Cavanagh and Souter were prominent in rushes which brought play back to the twenty-five. There Otago was awarded a penalty, and Souter put the kick over. Wellington .. .. 13 points Otago .. 11 points The final stages were exciting, each side playing an open, fast game. Otagocould not score again, however, The final scores were: Wellington .. .. 13 points Otago .11 points The referee was Mr R. J. Paton. THE AUSTRALIAN TEAM DEFEATED BY SOUTHLAND. FOURTEEN POINTS TO EIGHT. INVERCARGILL, August 26. No Rugby combination from Australia has yet beaten Southland, and this record was maintained to-day, when Southland defeated Australia by 14 points to &. The match was played in bright sunshine without wind, and the very large crowd was treated to some attractive football. The ground was heavy after yesterday’s rain. Malcolm got far more of the bail than the Southland half, and repeatedly sent out clean passes, but he did not get adequate support from his inside backs. Late in the second spell the Australians launched attack after attack, and succeeded in scoring twice. The fit and virile Southland pack played a <-reat game, but were beaten for the ball in the scrums. Although given plenty of opportunity the Australian backs seldom looked dangerous on attack, faulty handling being mainly responsible. Australia won the toss, and played with the sun at their backs. The visitors were first to attack, and a short punt found a gap near the line, but the ball went across the line, and the Maroons forced. • Cerutti had to leave the field owing to an injured leg. and was replaced by Bonis. The Australians were attempting to open up play, but the bustling tactics of the home forwards held them in check. The visitors rapidly changed defence into attack when Tolhurst smartly’ gathered in the ball that was allowed to bounce, touch being found near the Southland line. Metcalfe headed the home pack in a great rush to the other end. Malclom was sending out plenty of ball to his supports, who were unable to make any headway against the opposing backs, who were closing in quickly. Mistakes in handling were also contributing to the Australians’ failure to break through. A well-directed kick by Porter found the line deep in Australia’s territory, where the visitors were called upon to defend strongly. A free kick relieved the pressure, but only momentarily, for the Maroons gained possession, and after in and out passing Townsend touched down near the posts, and Niven converted. A passing rush in which all the Australian rearguard took part ended with a short punt by Tolhurst, which Porter missed, and play’ settled in Southland’s twentyfive, the defenders forcing after a penalty kick by’ Ross had failed to find the goal posts. The spell ended with the score:— Southland .. .. .. 5 points, Australia .. ■. .. Nil. Southland were the first to gain an attacking position after the interval, Porter finding the line right at the corner flag. A clearing kick was marked by Porter, who failed to convert from a handy posi-

tion. From a line-out the ball went to Niven, who cut through the defence before passing to Crosbie, the latter racing across to touch down. The goal kick failed.

After a spell on defence the Australians worked their way upfield, and although the backs were swinging into action, lhey were still falling into error. Geddes broke away' from his own twentyfive and ran past halfway,, but the supporting player failed to gather in the ball. Geddes got away again and this time punted over the line, and although he beat his opponent to the ffiall it had rolled into touch-in-goal. Southland’s next score came when Metcalfe picked up and passed to Crosbie, who transferred to Geddes, the winger just getting across. No goal resulted. Southland were having all the better of the game at this stage, and were over again within a few minutes of the last try, Crosbie touching down near the posts. An easy’ chance to goal was missed. Eventually the visitors gained a favourable position, but for some time could not penetrate the sound defence of the Maroons. They broke through at last, after several attacking movements, Judd diving over between the posts and Ross converting. Bright passing movements on the part of the Australian backs followed, one of which nearly ended in a try. These tactics were persevered with and ended in a try at the corner by Tolhurst, after Malcolm had worked the blind side. No goal resulted. Time was soundr-d immediately afterwards with the scores: — Southland .. .. 14 pointe. Australia 8 points. Mr T. C. Davies, manager of the “ Wallabies,” writes from lunvercargill: — “ Please accept our sincere thanks for the many courtesies extended to us whilst m your beautiful city. The team enjoyed every minute of their stay, and look forward with great pleasure to a renewal of the many friendships made whilst there.” CANTERBURY’S LUCKY WIN. SIXTEEN POINTS TO THIRTEEN. CHRISTCHURCH, August 29. Canterbury defeated the Australian Rugby touring team at Lancaster Park today by 16 points to 13. The game was started in cold and overcast weather, but the ground and the ball were dry. Halfway' through the game a light drizzle began and continued until the end of the game. The visitors showed excellent form —better than Canterbury—but the luck -of the play was against them. The Australian forwards were heavier man for man, and won most of the scrums. The backs handled better and generally were faster than those of Canterbury. Australia led by 5 points to nil at half time and deserved a bigger lead, for the Canterbury team had not settled down in the first half. After this the scores see-sawed and were 13-all until some minutes before the fall of time. The Australians were- penalised frequently for lifting in the scrums and Roberts profited by one of these infringements to put Canterbury ahead with a penalty goal. The Australians were attacking hotly when time was called. The teams were: — AUSTRALIA.

F ull-back. —Ross Three-quarters. — Hemingway, Cowper, Towers, and Palmer. □outside Half. —Primrose. Inside Half. —Malcolm. Forwards. —Cerutti, Bonis, Blair. Judd, White, Perrin, Palfreyman, and Clark. CANTERBURY. Full-back.—Roberts. Three-quarters.—Hart, Innes, and Williams. Five-eighths.—Oliver and Day. Half-back—Mullan. Forwards. —Andrews, Cottrell, Pease, Simpson, Kearney, Manchester, King, and Sweeney. THE PLAY. Canterbury won the first few serums, but the efforts to open up play were smothered, and play settled in Canterbury territory. There was a thrill when from a.. scrum three yards from the Canterbury'' line a Canterbury mau passed to Day, whose clearing kick was smothered by Hemingway, and the ball bumped over the line. Fortunately Roberts won the race for the ball and forced. The referee kept a firm hold on the game and penalties were fairly frequent. From one of these Roberts just failed to place a goal. The first score came from beyond halfway. The Australian backs secured from a scrum. Primrose, running across the field, outstripped the opposition and gave Cowper a srtraight run down the field. When the latter met Roberts he gave the ball to Towers, who scored unopposed. Ross converted. Australia 5 points Canterbury Nil Canterbury made valiant efforts to equalise the scores, but the visitors won most of the scrums and gave the ball to their backs, who proved a much more dangerous attacking combination than the home side. One movement, which broke down at the Canterbury twenty-five, was perhaps the most spectacular of the match. Malcolm set his backs going on the blind side, and Towers brought in a group of forwards in an excellent bout of passing, in which nine men handled at speed and with the greatest sureness. Canterbury met with - a stout defence in their efforts at attack, and never until near half time did they look like scoring. It was a fine dashing rush, but Towers rescued his full-back from a tight corner, and the spell ended with the scores: Australia 5 points Canterbury Nil A few wonderful rushes put Canterbury on attack early in the second spell, and they kept up the pressure. A penalty relieved the visitors, and their forwards charged after a kick. Towers carried on, and a score seemed certain when Hart dashed across to find the line. The Canterbury forwards improved greatly, and at the end of a forward struggle in midfield King broke away and passed to Mullan, who scored, and Roberts converted. Canterbury 5 points. Australia 5 points.

Soon afterwards Mullan passed from a scrum to Day, who drew the defence and passed to Oliver, to Andrews, to Innes, who scored, and Roberts converted.

Canterbury 10 points. Australia 5 points. In a great scramble Bonis scored fot Australia near the corner, and a magnificent kick by Ross evened the scores again. Australian 10 points. Canterbury 10 points. Again the visiting backs moved off brilliantly. Towers cut in aiid passed to Hemingway, and the winger ran round behind the posts. Ross missed an easy kick. Australia 13 points. Canterbury 10 points. Canterbury evened with a penalty goal by Roberts when the Australian forwards lifted in the scrum in front of the goal posts. Canterbury 13 points. Australia 13 points. The final score came from a penalty awarded Canterbury in front of Australia’s goal. Roberts’s kick was successful. Canterbury 16 points. Australia 13 points. With a few minutes to go Australia attacked fiercely, and were almost across several times. THE TEST MATCH. NEW’ ZEALAND TEAM SELECTED* CHRISTCHURCH, August 30. The following team has been selected to represent New Zealand in the test match at Auckland on September 12: — Full-back.—R. G. Bush (Otago). Three-quarters.—N. Ball (Wellington), C. J. Oliver (Canterbury), G. F. Hart (Canterbury), Five-eighths.—H. T. Lilburne (Wellington), W. A. Strang (South Canterbury). Half-back.—M. Comer (Auckland). Wing-forward.—F. Solomon (Auckland). Hookers.—A. I. Cottrell (Canterbury) and E. Jessup (Wellington). Lock. —E. R. G. Steere (Hawke’s Bay). Supports.—G. Purdue (Southland) and D. Max (Nelson). Back Row.—W. Batty (Auckland) and T. Metcalfe (Southland). Emergencies.—Back, J. D. Mackay [ (Wellington); forward, C. D. Andersoa I (Hawke’s Bay). WELLINGTON COLTS DEFEAT BUSH. PAHIATUA. August 26. The Wellington Colts defeated Bush by 14 points to 5. The winners were to» speedy and clever for the local side. WANGANUI DEFEATS HAWKE’S BAY. WANGANUI, August 26. Wanganui to-day defeated Hawke's Bay by 8 points, two tries, one of which was converted, to nil. MAORI TOURING TEAM. GREYMOUTH, August 26. The Maori touring team defeated the West Coast by 26 points to 8. Manihera. Walford, Leach, Morrison, Ruru, and Jones scored tries for the winners. Ruru converted two and Reid and Morrison one each. For the Coast, tries were scored by Deere and Jones, Bell converting one. The visitors were good individually, but combination was lacking till the latter stages. THE RANFURLY SHIELD CANTERBURY UNION’S RESERVATIONS. CHRISTCHURCH, August 26. The Canterbury team to play Australia on Saturday will be: Roberts. Hart. Innes, R. N. Williams, Oliver, Day, Mullan, Andrews, Cottrell, Pease, Simpson, Kearney, Manchester, King, Sweeney. When the challenge for the Ranfurly Shield is received from the Otago uni >n it will be held over by the CanterburyUnion until after the selection of the New Zealand team to meet the Australians at Auckland on September 12. It is on this date that Otago will meet Canterbury. The acceptance of the match as one for the shield will depend on to what extent the Canterbury team is weakened by the absence of All Blacks. The Canterbury Union also decided not to accept the challenge from the Ashburton Union as all its Saturdays are occupied. UNION OFFICIAL'S VIEWS. Commenting on the Canterbury Union’s decision to our representative last week, a prominent official of the Otago Rugby Union expressed the opinion that it was doubtful whether, under the rules, the Canterbury Union had. the right to make any such reservation. Otago’s challenge was forwarded well within the stipulated time limit, and, according to his reading of the rules, it was mandatory on Canterbury- to allow the game against the Otago touring team to be called a Ranfurly Shield match. The only conceivable circumstances under which the New Zealand Union could disallow the challenge would be, it seemed to him, the selection of the greater part of the Canterbury team to represent New Zealand. Regulations four and five governing the playing of Ranfurly Shield matches are as follow: — 4. Any union desiring to play a challenge match with the holder shall give notice to the New Zealand Union of such desire not later than the end of August in each year, provided that the holders for the time being shall not be required, unless they elect otherwise, to play any challenge match before the first Saturday in July. 5. The New Zealand Union shall have the right to declare which, if any, of the challenges shall be allowed. NEW ZEALAND UNION’S DECISION. WELLINGTON, August 12. The Management Committee of the New Zealand Rugby Union this evening decided to fix September 12. as the date for the match between Otago and Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield at Chi-ist-i church. The South African Rugby Board wrote acknowledging the New Zealand Union’s

letter in connection with the proposed formation of an Imperial Rugby Board. If the conference took place the Suth African Board hoped to be directly represented. ASHBURTON TO ISSUE CHALLENGE. ASHBURTON, August 25. The Ashburton Rugby Union has decided to challenge Canterbury for the Ranfurly Shield. SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ MATCH. HAMILTON, August 25. New Plymouth High School defeated Hamilton High School by 8 points to nil. SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ TOURNEY CHRISTCHURCH DEFEATS OTAGO. TIMARU, August 26. Playing traditional secondary school football, Christchurch to-day met and defeated Otago in the final of the South Island secondary schools’ tourney by 7 points to 5. The weather was perfect, and there was a large attendance of the public. Although heavy rain fell yesterday, the sun and wind this morning dried the ground considerably. The match was full of interest from start to finish, and was easily the best of the four games played. Christchurch were the better/Bide and would have been unlucky to lose’, but credit must be given to Otago for the great fight they put up. They were opposed by a pack of fast, hard-working forwards and speedy backs, but at no stage of the game did they let up. The defensive play of the southern team was the best seen here for a long time, Ruff, the full-back, giving a great exhibition of line kicking. Christchurch have now won the tourney six times, Timaru five times, and Otago and Southland three times each.

THE WOODEN SPOON. Timaru and Southland met for the wooden spoon in the early match. The game, in the first half, was the poorest of the tournament. Timaru had the advantage of the sun, which was very glaring, but they failed to make the slightest use of it. The Southland forwards were on the attack for practically the whole of the spell, the Timaru forwards being lifeless and the backs even worse. Towards the end of the spell Milne (Southland) secured from a. scramble and sent to Polson, to Page, to Uttley, to Henderson, who outpaced the opposition to score a good try. Pickard converted with a great, kick. Play " continued in Southland’s favour till the interval, but the game was devoid of all interest. The second spell was much brighter than the first, the Timaru forwards infusing more dash into their play, and keeping Southland hard pressed for a considerable time. From loose play, Rollison picked up and sent to Vucetich, who cut in and was hauled dowm near the line. Thompson, who was handy, picked up and dived over. The shot at goal missed. Southland 5 points, Timaru 3 points. Southland then livened up, the whole

“ Business in the country as far as the allied building trades are concerned is very quiet, although better than it is in Invercargill,” said. Mr Charles Provan following upon a visit to. different Southland townships. At Ohai, Nightcaps, and Wairaki there was little doing, but in other parte builders were obtaining employment. As an example (says the Southland Times), Mr Provan stated that at the present time four building jobs were under way in the country between Woodlands and Wyndham.

back line handling for Milne to score wide out. Anderson failed to convert. The remainder of the game was in Southland's favour, but there was no further score.