Association Football.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 159, 18 July 1903, Page 24

Association Football.

The heavy downpour of rain on Saturday prevented any play being indulged iii. Despite the inclemency of the weather, though, there were full representations of all competing teams at the Ferry Wharf. The ferry steamer was unable to make the wharf at Miramar, with the lady golfists. on its half-past one trip, and was compelled to return to town. As the steamer was the only means of transit to Miramar provided for, the matches had, therefore, to be postponed. By the postponement on Saturday, Rovers will be able to play Robinson, a late arrival from the Old Country. Not having been in the city long enough to comply with the rules last Saturday, he -would have been unable to play^ but the postponement of the matches gives the Rovers the benefit of his services in probably its most important match this season. Robinson, the player in question, recently arrived by the Rimutaka. He carried a letter of introduction to Mr. A E. Gibbs, president of the Wellington Football Association, and naturally Mr. Gibbs, being a Rover, hisservices were secured by that club. Kobinson was a third-rate player at Home, and plays centre-forward. A third-rate player at Home is head and shoulders above our very best senior men, and if Robinson carries out the impressions he has already produced Rovers will receive a timely acquisition. The resuscitation of the "Soccer" code of football in Ohristchurch is very probable. The responsibility of it has been undertaken by Mr. J. Moss a member of the Rovers' team, who lett Wellington some two weeks ago, on a temporary transfer to the City of the Plains. Hardly had he arrived in the bouthern city when he received a communication from the New Zealand Football Association, asking him to use his endeavours to reestablish the game there With promptitude and businesslike aptitude, he convened a meeting by advertisement in the daily papers. The meeting was a large one, and considerable enthusiasm was shown by those present. So, there is good rear son to believe that the game will be revived in Christchurch, where there is much scope for playing the Associa^ tion game of football. * * * Encouraging news also comes from Carterton and Masterton, where teams have already been established. In Carterton, the people are taking on the new mode of football with considerable interest, and manifest a keen desire for its furtherance. Dr. Johnston, a local medico, is an ardent Soccente, and, besides assisting in the formation of the club, intends to don the jersey, and play in his odd-time professional position of goalkeeper. Wanganui, where, some years ago, an occasional game of Soccer was played, will probably have the game established there next year. The arrangements for its permanent institution are well in hand, and in the hands of a capable officer of the Association. Several prominent gentlemen in that town have promised assistance to promote the game and the efforts now being put forward promise to be successful. * • * Our present officers are endeavouring to steer clear of the many rocks that beset their passage, and, having a good skipper in Mr. A. E. Gibbs, and a first-class lieutenant in Mr. F. J. Courtney, assisted by such A.Bs. as Roberts, Nagle, and Sloman, they should reach the ports of safety and success in a short space of time.

It is very pleasing to hear that arrangements have been made for a team from New South Wales to visit New Zealand next season. Mr. T. Shields, who has recently returned from a visit to Australia! was fortunate enough to ascertain the determination of the New South Welshmen to visit New Zealand. Following on his return, Mr. F. J. Courtney, secretary to the New Zealand Association, left for New South Wales. The visits of these two gentlemen will do a lot to encourage the visit of the New South Wales players, so local entihusiasts can look forward to an intercolonial game next season.