FOOTBALL.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2642, 26 September 1882, Page 3

FOOTBALL.

[press Aaaooz&Tioir nrLHOuof.] DUNEDIN, September 25. The secretory of the Canterbury Rugby Union (Mr Lewin) has been endeavoring to arrange a return match between the Christchurch and the Sydney teams, but the Sydney men cannot accede to the request, as they have to play Wellington on Friday, Napier most probably on Patnrday, and Auckland on Tuesday, At the dinner given in Dunedin to the New South Wales team, Mr Lewin, in responding to the toast of “ The Umpires,” mad.) the following amusing speech:—“ Ho might in justice to himself inform them that before the match, Messrs Allan, Baper, Robertson, and himself had met together, and it was agreed that tho umpires would have to carry the match through. Mr Bose had put it down that it was the fault of tho umpires that the match had not gone properly.—[Mr Uose: • No.’] Well, bo said it was to a certain extent. Now he (Mr Lewin) thought it was to a great extent owing to the matter of the wind. [Laughter,] It was also to a certain extent the fault of the players, in not knowing the rules thoroughly. Now he would recommend all those who took part in a big match to learn, mark, and inwardly digest tbe rules, and to abide by them. [Hear, hoar ] If they did so the umpires would have little to do. As to the public, he thought they ought to be forgiven. [Laughter.] They knew not what they did. [Renewed laughter.] He knew the Otago players from their infancy, end the Canterbury players, he might ssy, before their infancy—[laughter]—and it was principally owing to his exertions that the Rugby game was adopted in Canterbury. [Hear, hear.] To-day ho had been hooted for one of his decisions—[cries of ‘No’] —and the beet of it was that that decision was in favor of the Otago team. It just showed, aa he said before, ‘they knew not what they did.’ [‘Hear, hear,’ and loud laughter.] An umpire's lot was not a happy one. [Renewed laughter.] He was afraid he was now ‘ cooked ’ for football. Ho could play no more. [A Voice, mournfully, ‘No.’] But in tho position of umpire he could still try to do what he could for the game. [Loud applause.]