AT LANCASTER PARK

Hokitika Guardian, 8 July 1930, Page 3

AT LANCASTER PARK

AFTER 36 YEARS

HOKITIKA FOOTBALLERS RECOLLECTIONS.

Among the visitors to Christchurch on Saturday last to see the Test match

were, several members of the Hokitika Football Club team and party that toured Canterbury in 1894 ( and some of

the reminiscences were of an interesting nature after this lapse of 3-3 years. W' ), : /■ ■ : . ■; ■

It was early in 1894 that the proposal for tiie Hokitika Club then in the height of its strength, to make a tour of Canterbury was mooted, and thanks to the splendid ground work carried out, by ‘the secretary of the Club (Mr D. J. Evans) the proposal became an accomplished fact. It was in August of that year that the tour took place. Tlie train was taken to Jacksons, and from thence Mr .Hugh Cassidy provided the coaches which took the team and party some thirty in number, on the journey. Bealey was reached by dark, thence on again in the morning via Porters’ Pass to Springfield, where the train was again taken and Christchurch ' duly reached, Barrett’s Hotel being made head'quarters; - •

The team had a successful playing tour, winning all four games. Three 'f these; were played in Lancaster Park and the other at. Leestpn, .where Ellesmere County team was. played.,

The team that represented Hokjtika r ‘hnsisted' of the following pip vers:— .

Backs;—A. E.. Benjamin, N., Beroz.

’’eric Bonar. H),Rutland, W. J., Houston, A. D. Maefarla.ne, J. McDonald, and J. McGuigan. Forwards ; —G. Anderson, A. Dale, T \- Clements-, G. Davidson (Captain), D. Davidson, A.. Eastgate, T. Furlong, \. Irwin, J. McMillad, A. G. Nightingale, and G. Oliver.

Of these H. Butinnd ws a New Zealand representative in 1893-9-4. A. E. r etijamin represented the South Island in 1897 and Merle Bonar was a r-ea-c----sent-ative of Wellington province for seyernl-',seasons; V 1 -

' t Alas.a number of the above'a re now in'the Great Beyond; .in-luding'M. Bon. nqp, jA. Irwin ■ and ;P. Clems i s. h!>a gavej their lives in war service,- A. OijAfacfarlane, A. G. Nightingale,-and J.-McMillan.

The team 11 played • its' f'r.- 1‘ 1 f: ’ r c agififist East' Christchurch oil' August

Oft} 1894; ' The Weather was atfocio|i;s iwith intermittent hul as: I ran ishoWers; and the'Park exit up badlj v . Hokitika won by 7 points to nil, 1 Merle kicking a goal from a mark and also a penalty goal, both by drop kirks.

iigh'en .came the game at Leestpn on Vtpnday; August 26th, where Ellesmere wpiie met and defeated by, 18 points to nC■'Macfarlnne (2), Eastgate and Dale scored tries,- McMillan converting 3.; On Thursday August 23rd the Syden-. 'lain'team;, were played when Holyitika were successful by. 5. points, (a; try by A! Eastgate, : converted by J. .Mc.VJillarif to .4. points, (a,pin r k:-Kicked by Samuels). , • t •: -

'The fourth and last match of the tour 1 was played on Saturday, ■ August Wih, when the Liriwood team' were nipt. At- that /time - they were -the eftaiiipipn team of Canterbury and (•kirned • a similar honour for New Zea'-; '•■vyid. '- ; The'game ended-in a win -for the visitors bv 8 points to 5. Early n the game J. O’Brien scored a try p or Liuwood which Ward converted, "here was no alteration in the score -hen half time was called. Halfway through the second half J. McMillan goaled a mark secured by Hero//, and about a quarter of an hour before time Benjamin, playing at full-back, potted a goal. There was no further -score mikl the game ended with a fourth win for the who were much elated at the success of their tour. The tckm’leff oiUtffe -returirTb Hokitika on the following Tuesday, arriving on Wednesday evening-, aiid>lnicl a. t<;gu 1a r trium ph'a 1 >; Vecepfmn^li-pnfcd-he moment tfiey nnterecl-tliKAVcst;Coast. These and many (,ot|iei\..iiiciclcnts tpl the tour and games ikine back to Hiindi as a result ;pf. Saturday’ SLwjkifi severa \. of the plaf en,i not having beeiv on thi-4 famous •tour, ami the subject was revived with much .interest, hv-.them- during' the course, of the journey.