FOOTBALL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7505, 12 September 1902, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

♦ , THE INTER-ISLAND MATCH. [Fkom Ouk Correspondent.] , WELLINGTON, Sept. 12. M'Gregor, Kiernan and M'Duff, of Auckland, arrived by yesterday evening's Manawatu train to take part in the inter-island match. The Auckland contingent, nine in all, are now here. Cadwallader (Wairara^a) is coming down as reserve. An emergency forward will, if possible, be sent from Canterbury. Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward have notified their acceptance of the Union's invitation to be present at the match, and Sir Joseph will also attend the dinner at Hotel Cecil in the evening. Lord Ranfurly and the Mayor will also be spectators, and the latter has intimated his intention of being present at the dinner. A special meeting of the New Zealand Rugby Union Management Committee was held last evening to arrange matters in connection with the public reception to be accorded to the teams by the Mayor tpmorrow morning, and the presentation of the Ranfurly shield and other details. Mr G. Ddxon, the Auckland delegate on the New Zealand Union, will receive the shield from his Excellency o* behalf of the northern body. The Star Boating Club has 1 made the players of both teams honorary members of, the club for one month, and the various local athletic organisations have also erftended their privileges to ;the players, who have fully availed themselves of the invitations. Yesterday morning the northern and southern players indulged in training at Athletic Park. The work of the Auckland men was eagerly scanned, and attention was"*also paid to the doings of Smith (Nelson) and Tregear (Wanganui), both of whom are little known outside their own districts. Their performances pleased the critics. Followers of football are to have a really unique programme for Saturday's match. A publication issued by Mr E. Knott, of Christchurch, will contain illustrations of all the principal representative teams playing this year and a record of every match. The New Zealand Union has also issued to each .player an interesting souvenir in the shape of a card, which contains a programme of the receptions arranged for during their stay in Wellington. Several Aucklanders intend seeing the match, and a large number of visitors are expected from the northern districts. The Canterbury and Southland representatives, except Wood, who will leave Lyttelton this evening, arrived by the Rotomabana this morning. The southern representatives were training in tie gymnasium this afternoon. The northern players had a practice this morning. The weather indications are not promising for to-morrow's match, the wind having changed to the southJeast, bringing heavy rain •and hail squalls. Consequently the turf is bound to be greasy. The northerners are favourites, big things being looked for from their vanguard. The southern back division is generally voted more brilliant in attack than the opposing combination. <