SAD OCCURRENCE. DEATH OF A PROMINENT FOOTBALLER. Auckland, November 6.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 418, 9 November 1889, Page 5

SAD OCCURRENCE. DEATH OF A PROMINENT FOOTBALLER. Auckland, November 6.

A telegraphic message was received in town yesterday by the relatives of Mr Alexander Webster informing them of the death of that gentleman on the way from Long Island to Port Chalmers. The telegram came from Port Chalmers, where the Auckland brigantine ©amaru, Captain Richards, arrived on [Sunday after a long voyage of 33 days. The particulars of the death have nob yet come to hand, bub from the telegram it appears that Mr Webster, who was manager for the Guano Company at Long Island, had his foot crushed in some manner by a trolly in the work on the island. As there was no assistance to be obtained on the island to perform the requisite surgical operation, Mr Webster was being taken by the Oamaru to Dunedin when lockjaw supervened and on October sth he succumbed. The accident took place on September 14th and on the Ist of Ocbober the boat set sail, but by that time Mr Webster must have been suffering very severely, and his death on the sth probably relieved him from grearer suffering. Mr A. Webster was well - known in athletic and other circles. He was a prominent footballer, being a member of tne Rorbh Shore Football Team, and one of the famous Native Team which distinguished itself so much in England. His place was forward, and he played a sterling game in that position. He left the team on its departure from England, preferring to come straight home, rather than through Australia. After arriving in Auckland, he went to Hokianga, where his parents live, to see them after his trip. After staying there some time he was about six months ago offered the position of manager for the Guano Company on Long Island, and was engaged in their employ till the time of his accident. The deceased wasa young man of 23 or 24 years of age, of a genial, kindly nature, popular with all whose fortune it was to know him. He was born at Hokianga, where his parents reside. He is a cousin of Mr J. C. Webster, the well-known footballer and cricketer of this city, and was also related by marriage to Mr J. M. Geddes (Brown, Barrett, and Co).