LACROSSE.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume 01, Issue 9, 1 June 1900, Page 65

LACROSSE.

"""V^TROM the earliest antiquity ball games Xi have al ways been popular with the f~ various races of mankind, and that they still keep their hold on the affections of the people is evidenced by the wonderful popularity of cricket, football, polo, tennis, golf and similar sports. Probably not one person in. ten has ever even seen the game of Lacrosse, and yet it has existed for

a longer period than many of the others mentioned. As far back as 1153, A.D., Byzantine writersspeak of thogamo, Johannos Cinnamus who lived at that time mentioning a ball game which was played with an instrument having a broad curved ond, furnished with a network of catgut, a close enough description of the article at present in use. When

Columbus lauded in the New World in 1492, the game formed the one great amusement of the numerous tribes of Indians found there. Some sixty years ago the well known traveller .Catlin saw no less than forty-eight different tribes— these being separated by many thousands of miles— who played la crosse. He mentions in his most interesting notes on the game that nearly all the adults of a tribe took part, the number sometimes running into hundreds. The ball was made of deer skin, stuffed with hair, and a much smaller form of crosse than the weapon of the present day was used. Although, no doubt, the braves were only too ready for the fray

to retaliate, so that possibly the custom gave a fine opportunity for paying off old scores A really remarkable coincidence may be mentioned in connection with the game as played by the Indians, and that is that when the score reached ninety-five all-a hundred up was the game-the players were allowed to set to ten, or in other words the custom which, from the earliest date, has been in vogue in rackets and fives was also the order of the day among a savage race separated by a thousand leagues of ocean, and with whom there can have been no possible communication. A very sad episode is told of the game in

The name of Lacrosse was given to the game by the early French Canadians from the fancied resemblance of the chief article used to a bishop's crazier or crosse. A very similar game called Jugar al Ble was played in the Basque Provinces.

In 1867 a code of yules was drawn up, and the game installed as the National game of Canada, and it might here be stated that in the Dominion it ranks as first favourite, holding the position occupied by baseball in the United States, cricket in England, or football in New Zealand. It was in the year mentioned that a team of Iroquois Indians visited England, and, playing the game in their

accompanied by some Indian playors. Exhibitions wore given beforo the Quoen at Windsor, and also at the famous grounds at Hurlingham and Lords. Quite a number of clubs sprang into existence, the new pastirao especially finding a stronghold in the north of Ireland. The wearers of the shamrock have ever since been the keenest exponents of the game, for out of sixteon matches played against England since then they liavo won twelve, and lost but three, one being drawn. It is worthy of note that in [reland Lacrosse is played in the summer, and it is really far more suited to the warm weathor than to tho winter. In England and the Colonies with

the Montreal team. Another lot of players from the same part visited the Old Country in 1883, and a year later an American team went over, but the Irishmen, with one or two English players, defeated them, this being the first ro verse that any of the visitors had sustained. Toronto took a hand in 1886, sending a splendid combination, which proved simply invincible. By this time, or rather some seasons before, the game had reached New Zealand, where a fair number of clubs were formed, chiefly in the South Island. Owing largely, however, to the fact that there was no one to play against, the innovation gained no very firm footing, and gradually

Sydney is but little behind them, indeed if the latter keeps going forward at the pace it has daring the last two seasons, it will soon be at the top of the tree as champion colony. Last year a number of gentlemen decided to make an effort to resuscitate the game in Auckland, the result being the formation of the New Zealand Lacrosse Association. This body has a great future before it, and, as the members are one and all keen enthusiasts determined to work for the good of the cause, there should be no reason to doubt but that success will follow. For the first season teams were picked from members, and were yclept respectively the Pawnees, Sioux,

their efforts, or at least those of the married portion, were further encouraged by a somewhat singular privilege granted to the wives. These gentle dames were allowed to thrash their husbands with green switches to make them redouble their efforts. When it is remembered that the Indian squaw not unusually staked much of her worldly goods on the result of the encounter, and that nearly the sole articles of attire worn by the players consisted of paints and feathers, it must be readily admitted that the practice offered no special inducement to matrimony. Relentless as the punishment might be, it was considered the very height of ill-breeding

the early part of the last century. Of course the early Canadian settlers were enthusiasts at the pastime, and on one occasion a plot was devised by the Shawnee, Delaware and Ottawa tribes to capture Fort Detroit under the guise of la crosse players. This particular scheme failed, but in 1763 a similar attempt resulted in the most disastrous manner to the English soldiers who formed the garrison of Fort Michillimackinac, a name which should have been sufficient to deter the most intrepid. A party of Ottawas and Objibways entered the Fort under the pretext of searching for the ball, and the unsuspecting soldiery were murdered before they could reach their weapons.

national barbaric costume, drew crowds of interested spectators to the grounds at the Crystal Palace, Richmond and elsewhere. I fancy it was about 1875 that Dr. Archer, who had seen the game played on the other side of the Atlantic, induced the Thames Hare and Hounds, a famous South of England cross-country club, to try the sport. I remember going to see the game, which was closely watched by a large crowd of spectators, who assembled on Wimbledon Common to have a look at the, to them, new pastime. The upshot of this was an invitation to the Montreal Lacrosse Club to visit England, and a team went over, being

the rival attractions of crickot, tennis, etc throwing it into the shade, Lacrosso lias boon relegated to tho list of winter sports, to the great disadvantage of the game. Mr, E. T. Sachs puts tho case in a nutshell when he writes as follows : " Played on hard turf, in the bright light and warm air of a summer evening, Lacrosse is a different garao to thafc played on tho sodden, often miry, winter turf, in a dull light, and damp, chilly atmosphere. To play Lacrosse in winter is to do violence to it, but under prevailing conditions it is the best that can be done." There have been several International matches played in England since the visit of

died out. Very much the same condition of affairs prevailed in Australia, where the pastime flourished for a brief spell, and then almost vanished out of existence. Of recent years a very marked revival has taken place, and the popularity of the Indian game has increased by leaps and bounds. In at least four of the Colonies strong associations have been formed, the game catching on in Westralia, i* South Australia, in Victoria, and in New South Wales. In the three last mentioned colonies the clubs are very numerous, and sonic very fine players are to be found. Adelaide and Melbourne are at present very keen rivals for the position of premiers, and

Mohawks and Delawares, one of the accompanying illustrations showing the playerß who participated in the first game. This season it was decided to change to the district scheme, and six clubs were formed, the electorates represented being Grey Lynn, Ponsonby, Parnell, North Shore, Grafton, and Suburbs, and the competition for the premiership promises to be unusually keen. The game is tobereintroducedin Christchurch next year, and efforts will also he made to give it a start in Dunedin, Wellington, Wanganui and elsewhere. A project is now on foot in Canada whioh should give a very decided fillip to the sport,

this being no other than a movement to secure a visit from a Canadian Lacrosse team to Australia. The idea is that an " Alj Canada" team shall make a tour of New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia. It is thought that the scheme, although it could hardly be expected to result in other than a financial loss, would do much good to the sport in the Colonies, and that from this point of view it is worth while making considerable sacrifices to further the good cause. It is proposed to have a team representing the whole Dominion from coast to coast, including men from Victoria, Westminster, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Cornwall, Quebec, Toronto, arid Montreal. As

positions on tho field should bo aa follows : Enemy's Goal First Home Second Home Third Home Attack Field Attack Field Centre Defence Field Defence Field Third Man Cover Point Point Goalkeeper

far as can be seen it is extremely probable that such a team will cross the Pacific in 1901, and no doubt the New Zealand Lacrosse Association will endeavour to arrange a match when the mail boat calls in at this city. As probably many readers are not altogether conversant with the principles of the game, a few remarks thereon may be not altogether devoid of interest. To begin with the playing field, this may vary in size, but somewhere about, two hundred yards long by one hundred yards broad is an ample measurement, although it is usually smaller. A full team consists of twelve men, and their

Vol. I.— No. 9.— 52,

Of course an opposing team would bo placed the other way about, thus an Attack Field man would be confronted withaDefonce Fiold, while Covor Point would have Second Homo in his immediate vicinity, and so on. Tho goal posts are six feet high, and are placed a similar distance apart, and thore is no off-side, the general rules of the game being not altogether unlike Association Football, Tho crosse used by players is a stick with a carved end, the hook thus formed being covered with a uotvvork made of raw hide or gut, which must not bag. A score is mado by one side throwing the ball between their opponent's goal posts. Tho chief feat of tho

player is to catch the ball — which, by the way, is of indiarabber, about eight inches in circumference, and weighing some four and a-half ounces — on the network of his crosse, dodge his opponents, and then throw it to one of his own side who is nearer the enemy's goal. A game is commenced by tho ball being placed on the ground mid-way between the two goals, and a player from each side " facing " for it with his crosse, till one of them succeeds in sending it on its way to the opposite goal. It is really wonderful the way in which a really good team playing with combination will pass the ball. TJut little running is really

player can sling the rubber. In Australia the record for this is held by 0. Murray, of Victoria, with a throw of one hundred and forty-two yards, while A. B. Clark, of North Sydney, has figures almost as good to his credit. lam not aware of any performer in New Zealand having beaten these figures, but probably E. Broughton, of Christchurcb, would go very close to the record. A competition, by Lacrosse players, comprising such events as Passing the Ball, Long Throwing, Catching the Ball, Shooting at Goal, etc., should find its way on to the programme of at least one sports meeting, and the results achieved would be found full

indulged in, yet the ball goes from end to end of the ground at lightning speed, being accurately tossed from player to player, and woe betide the side whose men get out of position. A quick sprint to tho ball is useful at times, but the beginner should endeavour to bear in mind that a ball can bo made to travel .through the air much faster than a man.can run along the ground with it, and such ..'running, therefore, by delaying the pass, gives the opponents time to concentrate aud to cover their men. While on the subject of throwing the ball with the crosse, it is astonishing to see the distaace a good

of interest. Indeed, lam of opinion that if every similar branch of sport was catered for at regular athletic meetings, instead of the same old dull ronnd of fixtures, there would not be so many complaints as to the nonattendance of the public. But perhaps I have written enough to show that the good old game is worthy of every encouragement, and if I go further may have " Eree Position " given against me. Before being finally called on to "stand," however, I would strongly advise cricketers, athletes, and others who are at present doing nothing during the winter to give the game a trial. Any old player would, I am sure, be only too ready

to lend his crosse and give advice, and, once played, the game will be found to possess a fascination all its own. From a spectator's point of view many may ai'gue that there is not a great deal in the game, but this really is due to the fact that it is played in the winter. Who would watch a game of cricket, for instance, for the whole of a bleak winter afternoon ? Once a man takes to Lacrosse as a means of filling in his Saturday afternoons, he will soon become attached to the pastime)

and from " face off" till " time" will follow it with tho utmost attontion. Once this fact is thoroughly digested, tho ranks of tho followers of tho Indian game will be greatly increased, and the New Zealand Lacrosso Association bo found holding its own against other colonies in many a hard fought struggle, not only in the Land of tho Moa and tho Maori , but also on the ploying fields of Sydnoy, Melbourne and Adelaide — a consummation devoutly to bo wished.