Athletic Notes.

Manawatu Herald, 10 September 1903, Page 2

Athletic Notes.

FOOTBALL. Hawke’s Bay, who are on tour, met Manawatu at Palmerston on Saturday and after a hard game were defeated by 7to 6. The Manawatu team were minus the services of three of the picked players but emergencies ailed the breach and, excepting one, played well. Archie McMion who has just returned from Australia with the N.Z. team was in Manawatu’S ranks and played a sterling game.

There will be great jubilation among Wellington footballers over the defeat of Auckland. It was a close fight, four points to three. Still that difference of one - point will .cause many jubilant words and actions among Wellington’s footballers. There is no love lost between the two teams, and in Wellington it is the match of the yean The interest ’ taken can be gauged from the fact that gooo-people attended to see an inflated piece of leather •• booted ” about. Of the two teams Auckland has the better chance of Choosing a team to win. Welling* ton’s team is chosen from the city and Petone. Auckland’s team is a provincial one, chosen from the city, .union and its sub-unions; Wellington has been aiming at the same thing for a few years, and is still aiming at It; If the Wellington team was made a provincial team it would be composed of the pick of the Wellington, Waira- .■ rapa, Manawatu and Horowhenua • representative teams'combihed, which would give Wellington a team that could uphold its end against the best fifteens chosen in the colony! This was amply illustrated in ton Province v. N .Z. .match, the former team beating the team that was chosen to go to Australia by 14 points to 5. The other unions in the Wellington province do not seem to fall in with the idea as they believe that by so combining they would sink into insignificance and become merely * tributaries of the Wellington; Union.

A couple of years ago a series of, matches were played between teams ' representing the various flaxmlllsf in the district. The games provided interest and amusement for the public and players alike. We should like to see the contest revived. It merely wants some enthusiasts to move in the matter and we are sure that before long challenges would be flying, at each other like dust from the scutcher. Should such contests eventuate, some promising players will most likely be unearthed, and as it is likely that the Foxton Football Club will be revived next year it will give a likely idea of its strength. At present there are a number of well-known players m the district and we are sure a strong team could be got together; * * * * .

The programme for the Foxton Athletic club’s sports is now published and is worthy of the clubs’ good name. Each year sees the programme stronger and the club is to be con* gratulated on its latest event sheet. From all accounts the club does not seem to get along too sweetly with the Borough Council. The track seems to be a source of continual worry to both council and club. Surely some plan can be adopted whereby future trouble can be avoided. Thecouncil has spent freely in felling trees and when approached about the track, which bv the way is a source of Income each year, do not seem to give very encouraging answers. The bicycle track * at present requires top dressing as the surface in some places Is,completely gone. Again, the cinder track is covered with grass and weeds. Rather than attempt to cut out the weeds which would destroy the evenness of the track it would be better to cut the grass and weeds down and cut the. tufts of rank grass level and keep the tract well rolled. That is providing no proper and effective weed destroyer can be obtained. The time is, approaching fast and, if anything is to be done it will have to be done quickly.

At the last meeting of the club a resolution was passed to ask Jbe Council to turn the band rotunda intoan office for the secretary and so allow room for competitors to dress In the shed. It is not necessary to make a permanent alteration. Some canvas or other serviceable material''found' the rotunda would close it up for secretarial work inside.. The music stand can easily be sbifted£M present one side of the shed nearly large enough for competitors to dress in. Whatever is done by ( the Council is not done for the local club alone, but - also for the Friendly who use the park every year, and if wq are to have them down here show them that we are trying |<k attend to