THE MAORI FOOTBALLERS. Details of Matches and Tour. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) London, March 7.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 368, 15 May 1889, Page 4

THE MAORI FOOTBALLERS.

Details of Matches and Tour. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) London, March 7.

On Saturday last tho Maoris played a strong team, principally composed of the roughest of working-men at Runcorn on the Mersey, which I always think (as I pass it on my way to Liverpool), must be one of the most desolate holes on God's earth. The chemical works, which form the principal support of the district, blast evergreen thing, and the air reeks of sulphuretted Indrogen. The Runcorn footballers arc at any timo the reverse of lamblike players, and on Satin day they openly expressed their intention to give the "blacks'" a "rare baiting." Two, however, can play uc that game, and the New Zealander3 when thoroughly roused become disagreeably formidable. 'he Runcorn gang, in point of fact, instead of giving the " basting," had to put up with one, and were, moreover, well boateu. The gate, I fear, was only small. On Monday "the blacks" visited Oldham, and, fancying they had only an inditferent local toam to meet, were well beaten, to their surprise and chagrin. This defeat was, however, more than made up the following afternoon at Halifax, when, after a stirring game, they pioved victorious over the redoubtable 15 which beat them almost pointless at tho commencement of their tour last autumn. At Barrow yesterday the Maori? were defeated.