ALEXANDR A.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 970, 10 September 1878, Page 3

ALEXANDR A.

..•■.-•• September 9th, 1878. Otjb township was quite lively on , Saturday last, caused by the. arrival of the : Ngahinepouri team, :i .of/ football players ; who came up accompanied by a" '■ number of lady and other friends, to play a> friendly) game with 'our ; local club. Before their advent, I am inclined to think " our boys " reckoned on an easyvictory, but on the appearance of their' adversaries, . this . happy delusion - (if it " existed at all) was immediately dispelled, they being a fai- heavier .body; than the Alexandrians, with plenty of activity, ancLaltogether: a,, mo §t 4 a ?j? ero P; 8 [looking company to play agains'tf and. betting was .immediately commenced m their favor. The two teams were comprised as follows : — Ngahineppuri i.iE. W.>Laing (Captain), A. M." Taylor, J. Drabble, W. W. Higgihson, — Paton, — Paton, G. Richdale, E. M. Dickey, W. Nugent, W. Bodelly, J. Munroe,^ S. Hunter, and, E. B. Cox ; total, 13. Alexandra: W. Cooper (Captain), T. Conroy, Renwick, Carthy, P. Crawford, W. Kelly, W. Riohdale, J. Hinton, G. MeE.arlane,. R. McFarlane, Hooper, D. Gordon; 1 Morrison; total, 13i Cooper kicked off for, the Alexandra team, and a lively ' game commenced. The ground being greasy, caused immense amusement to the onlookers, falls being so <fi/e<iueht, it was almost impossible ior any to get away far' with the ba11.1.. Conroy was a tower of strength to the Alexandra team, and was always* on the ball/T Kelly, as half-back, -also made some good runs,! but Dickey Or Lamg generally -managed to prevent any advantage being gained. The visitors succeeded m keeping the ball well down to the ! Alexandra goal, which was splendidly protected by Cooper. At the end of the first twenty-five minutes, as onlygoaJs by agreement'were counted as points, nothing- was made by either side. After an interval, the play was again very exciting, scrimmages being frequent — the ; Ngahinapouriatiß having the advantage iroin their weight. Several ; good runs were made by Carthy, Lairig, and G. McFarlane, but time being called again found the ball near the Alexandra goal., Play continued hotly,' both sides beingj 1 intensely, anxious, to get an advantage. Conroy unfortunately sustained a nasty fall, when being collared by Drabble, and was partly disabled for the remainder of the match- After a short rest, however, he again came to his side's assistance, and , did - valuable : work. , ; No, ;points: had yet been made by either side, andj'at the last twenty five minutes it was apparent that all were determined to do.;their uttermost, and some splendid play took place— that ;ofiE, By Cox, Laingj and- Cooper was con-; epicuous. .Theballwas' again f orcedolose toi the Alexandra goal, which was most stub-' bomly .defended. Eventually, Drabble; find Conroy ,were forced over the goal, both claiming, to have the advantage As, no umpire coiild be found to decide, both sides agreed to a draw, and cheered each other most heartily. A large number of persons were present to ; witness the game including a ; number of ladies who remained on the ground notwithstanding rain was falling for some time previous to the conclusion. It was remarked this was the best game ever played m Alexandra. A^nd; : many thought the visitors Should have ; had. a try at goal the last interval. Had the gaihe been decided by points, the Ngahinepouri team would hafe won the match. V' . 1 'There' is not 'much other local j news. The petition to the Minister of Justice for the retention of Major Mair's services here as Resident Magistrate - ha§ been forwarded, containing 384 signatures. This, it is hoped, will be sufficient answer to the malicious report circulated,' that the document was got up by-a few of the Major's personal friends. There can now be no doubt his services are deservedly valued by :all classes ;'in the district. The King natives generally are also regretting the, idea .of his rempval: < The contractors for the alteration and ■ additions to ,the Alexandra Hotel, jMessrs Madigan and Miller, have nearly com■pleted their cgntract m a most creditable 1 manner, notwithstanding the j severe ;- ; weather they have had to contend against. . Severalrooms, with that great desideraI turn, a fireplace in' each, have been i added, so that travellers' will now jensure j comfortable accommodation m busy times' not always to be .had here; 3 A now kitchen and fine stable is also comprised m the improveine'rits to this favorite 1 hostlery.— Owij Cojrbespondent. I ' '