AUCKLAND AND FOOTBALL.

Te Aroha News, Volume XIV, Issue 2134, 26 July 1898, Page 2

AUCKLAND AND FOOTBALL.

Auckland, Sunday. IN view of the approaching Interprovincial match this week when the Aucklanders are to take the field against the Empire city ‘ reps,’ as. the readers of the Te Aroha News can readily imagine, football and footballers occupy a large share of the attention of the good cirizens of the northern metropolis. Wellington, in football circles, is a name to conjure with. One glance at thefacejof those responsible for the selection of the team to pit against Wellington’s ‘reps’ at the Epsom ground on Saturd*y next tells its own story. Care worn and haggard, as though the fate of empires hung on their choice, may fitly be employed in attempting to describe their appearance to-day. From what we gathered in the ‘ conversation hall’ of a sporting hotel, frequented for the purpose of picking up information, the team to oppose Wellington will not bo identical with the one which'whipt Ohinemuri apd Waihi so handsomely on Saturday last. Some of the Thames forwards are too good to be overlooked, and the inclusion of one or two from the famous peninsular club.is looked upon by the gossips as a foregone conclusion. Anyone inclined to doubt the keen interest taken in the game in Auckland has only got to trayel to Epsom, by road on a match day. It reminds one of another Epsom and the -journey to the Downs by road on Derby Day. But how different the demeanor of the crowd. On a fine English June day the spirit of frolic for the nonce seems to descend upon sober-sided Londoners bent on, witnessing the annual contest for the Blue Ribbon of the Turf. The road to the English Epsom on a fine June day is lined with laughter, punctuated with occasional spills and brief episodes in which fierce recrimination and volleys of good Saxon oaths for the moment eclipse the gaiety of the travellers. Very different is the aspect of the crowd attending the Auckland Epsom. Grave disquisitions on such subjects as the advisability of playing four, three-quarter backs in place of three, fill men’s minds and mouths. The comparative merits of -forwards occasion heated discussions and lead to the interchange of compliments, in many instances, of a bellicose nature. Howe.ver once within the enclosure with the level green sward stretching in front of you,, clusters of humanity hanging to its stout fence like bees, and all differences of opinion are sunk in the enthusiasm aroused by the spirited picture unfolded. And when the heroes of the hour, like the gladiators of old, leap into the ,arena and court’ applause by the lightness and sinuous grace of every movement of their perfectly trained bodies, enthusiam once more wells up in the hearts of the admiring throng of onlookors until it reaches a fitting climax in a very tempest of cheers. Barring a nipping wind sweeping across the field from east to west the day, on Saturday was a perfect one for the game. In the first Half the wearers of the blue and white stripes held a signal advantage in having such • a brave bieeze behind them seconding their attack on the western goal defended by the yellow and black barred lads from the Upper Thames. To a spectator who does not know the players, the game yields very different impressions from those it gives to one ac qnainted with the ‘ reps ’ individually and their past performances. The stranger merely catches the broad effects—the grand combined rushes—a series of passes right across the field —a desperate sprint with half the team hanging on the runner’s flank the break away from the confused scrimmage, the flash of the jersey with the little black object hugged to its bosom as a mother hugs her babe—the frantic snatches and fierce abortive attempts at stopping that small elusive figure twisting, dodging, darting like a dragon fly through the press and conflict of opposing players. The whole game resolves itself at such moments'to such a spectator, into a struggle between one man depending alone on’the greatness of his heart, the sureness of his eye, his coolness and judgment, backed by fleetness of foot, against 15; resolute men determined to frustrate him by main force. It is a duel in which one man fights a company. It is like the little gunboat “ Condor ” running the gauntlet of the forts at Alexandria. A thing to stir the blood, quicken the pulse and brighten the eye, while the heart goes out to the hero in that passion • of admiration which causes many a warworn old pugilist to rush into the ring, and beslobber the battered, winner in a hard fought prize-fight with kisses. The display of such emotions; nay, the mere mention of their existence probably excites a smile ; and when the world goes well with us under the serene skies of peace and plenty—the smile may be forgiven—men forget so easily. The hand of rapine half strangles a helpless country, vineyards are trodden under maranding feet, and the smoke of burning homesteads blacken the sky, and the wail of the helpless comes floating from woodland refuges ; but a little while and the corn waves again, with here and there a blood red poppy, amid its yellow glory, to mark where a hero fell, and the memory of horror stricken days, and the brave deaths linger alone in the hearts of a few faithful women. But as was pointed out in these columns many months ago in an article, which had

the honour of being read at a meeting bf-4he members of the local football club; £he qualities engendered bysuch games as~ftr&kball are the very ones which when danger'threatens a country are so eagerly sought t SV: * a the rank and file of its citizen*?.; When the call comes as Jit will surely come, are we recruit the banife. that will have + watch night and day the shores o; New Zealand. The invasion of Cuba has shown that it is not only the walled-cities that we have to guard, but a hundred bays and inlets. Such a task might well appal us. 'QsP'what use money and authority in such days when the Eagles of France and Russia swoop down on us, and every available has been recalled for the defence of England and the adjacent isles. If we are to make a stand, we shall want stout hearta||,ind where shall we find them ? Where save in the playing fields of New Zealand* “ Waterloo,” observed the Iron Duke, “ was won in the playgrounds of Eton,” and ia the no distant future it may come to pass that many of us who decry the game of the season as brutal and the rancorous-voiced “ barracker ” as a noisy pestilonqo, will frankly admit that it is them alone, the eyes of the couHrfy will be turned in the hour of international' storm and stress.

So let us do all we can to encourage football and kindred games. It is a mean commercial spirit that lies behind the whine that our boys devot9 too much time to out-door sports. To play football teaches our youth to scorn delights and live labrious days, to practice self-denial, and temperance, and more than all to submit their turbulent spirits to the stern lessons of discipline. I