FOOTBALL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7886, 31 July 1905, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

THE lEW ZEALAND TEAK. Defeated by Wellington. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 29. The New Zealand team was beaten to-day by Wellington, who, Sor. the first time, were playing fifteen drawn from the whole province. They proved to have a powerful set of forwards; who quite outclassed the men who are suppposcd to be the pick of tiho country. The final difference was only 3 to nil, but neither this nor the lact that the game was played on a sodden ground with a heavy ball makes any real difference, because tht New Zealandifttteen might rcasonafolj be expected to show themselves suj/erior to a provincial team undei any circumstances. Their play to. day does not augur well for theii chances against some of the powerfu Home teams, should they meet then on a wet ground. The backs seemed up to their work drnt the forwards were decisivel) beaten, especially, when playint against the wind. They were fa from being the forwards who so mag nificently overpowered the En-glis team on the same ground a yea ago. Notwithstanding the fact that i had been raining since Thursday an that the game must be played on desperately bad ground, there was large attendance, who waited pj tientiy through a half hour's rai which preceded play. In the first spell New pla] ed with the wind behind them. T< wards the end, they were rushed, an after a wild scramble m the aiu three Wellington men took the ba iover and J. Spencer secured a trj No. goal was kicked. 'ln the second spell, after a bri< attempt to regain supremacy, Nei Zealand was kept on the defence, an was so clearly a fbeaten team that further score seemed possible at an time from the courageous and well sustained dashes of the Wellingto forwards. The ball was repeatcdl sent across the line, Ibut no actut score was obtained, and the resul remained— Wellington 3 New Zealand 0 On the winning side Walking pla] , ed such a remarkably good forwai : game as to stand out 'by Mmse from both teams. . In this game Abbott made his a| pearance, and showed a fine turn i foot on more than one occasion. THE FAREWELL SOCIAL. WELLINGTON, July, 30. The farewell smoke concert to tt New. Zealand team on the eve ( their departure for the Old Countr i was held in the concert room ( , the Town Hall last night. Tho a ; tendance was only moderate, and dj ; not by #ny means come up to expe 1 taiion. Mr G. F. C. Campbel : Vice-President of the New Zealan , Rugby Union, was in the chair, an was supported by the Right Hon. F , J. Scddon, Sir Joseph Ward, Mr Mai sey and the Hon. T. W. Hislop (May< - of Wellington'). The Governor wire expressing regret at his absence. Mr Scddon, who proposed the toas of the New Zealand team, was entht 1 siastically received, the corapan i rising and singing, "For He's aJo * ly Good Fellow." He said he fcl ! satisfied the ■ team would worthil; [ uphold the honour of the colony an I represent it in a fit and prope . manner. "The Britishers are pant ing for those ashes," he remarked ■ "and don't let them get them." H i believed the trip of the team. Wouli ; be of great benefit to the colony, a - it would bring us very forcibly un , ier the notice of the people of Grca firitain, and must also tend to drav ■ the colony closer to the Motive: , Country. i Mr Dixon, manager of the team ■ in replying, said he considered thi ■ team very fairly represented thi football strength of the colony, am ; it would worthily uphold the gow name of New Zealand. ; Mr Gallaher, the captain, also re sponded, and expressed the opiniot that the team would justify itselj ; both on and off the field. The Mayor of Wellington propose* the toast of "The Parliament of Ne* : Zealand," to which Mr Seddon and Mr Massey replied. The Leader ol the Opposition, whe received a ycry cordial reception, wished the team a good time, a pleasant voyage and a safe return. Sir Joseph Ward proposed the toasl of "The New Zealand Rugjby Union." r Mr Seddon announced that it was desired that the team should be kept in touch with the people of tire colony, and with that object' in view it had heen arranged that any case of illness or accident should be immediately reported to the High Commissioner in London, who would cable the fact to the Government. The High Commissioner WO uld also trom time to ; timci cable to the Government the doings of the team, Mr Seddon adding that this had been decided on after consultation with his colleagues and Mr Massey. THE FINAL CHEERS. WELLINGTON, My 39. At Bihe o'clock this morning a ■?ood crowd boarded the ferry stean* or Admiral, and accompanied the New Zealand football representatives to the Rimutaka's side. Brief farewells wcre v said, the little vessel swung out, awi the big liner headed for the Pacific to the accompaniment of tog horns and hearty cheering Near the heads the ferry boat Admiral drew near the Rimutaka, a final cheer was given, "Auld Lang Syne" was sung, and half an hour later the steamer was lost to- view.