WAITOA.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1234, 27 May 1880, Page 2

WAITOA.

Ox Saturday last a number of settlers and natives gathered at Waihou to play a match at football, but the intention to play Europeans against Natives was abandoned, and mixed sides were picked, Mr Purchas and Itewiti Mokena (or Morgan, a native), being captains. The play on both sides was very good, although several players were new to the game, and unacquainted with the Rugby rules which were adopted. The game was played in three spells of 20 minutes each. The players who most distinguished themselves at the start were Dixon, Morgan, Purchas, and Parr, who succeeded in getting a force-down for Purchas 's side. The next s>pe"ll was well contested and showed some stubborn play. Morgan's side had ultimately the be&t of it, getting two force-downs to one. lii the last spell Purchas 's side started well, and looked like winning ; but Morgan called on his men, who went to work with renewed vigor, and, after several good scrimmages, Smith had a splendid catch and made a fine place kick, which was well retu -ned by Shine ; but Willis getting the ball in his arms ran like a redshank, and crashing through or dodging all obstruction secured a touchdown, after which he kicked a goal from a very difficult position and so won the game. The rin.il fecove was : Morgan's side, 6 points ; Purchas 's, 1 point. The natives were highly delighted with the afternoon's amusement, and in great glee that tlie side of which Morgan was captain had obtained so decisive a victory. Amongst the players and spectators, of whom there were a large number both Europeans and natives, were representathes of all the Havraki Itap'ts, showing that the most friendly feeling exists between the settlers and the natives in this district. We must not omit to mention Mr T. Sandes who umpired, and gave the utmost satisfaction to both sides : he is a great enthusiast for the game, and performed his duty with the utmost impartiality. A meeting was held after the game was over at Missen's hotel, for the purpose of forming a Football Club. Messrs Smith, Willis, Parr, McCormish, and Rowiti Morgan were elected a committee. Mr J. 3i. Smith was elected captain, Mr H Campbell president, .md Mr C. Gould ! vics-president of the Club. It was re* •solved that the uniform be blue stockings and unite jei'jeys. Twenty members wore immediately enrolled and paid their subscriptions. At a me t'ng of committee held imnWiatly afrerwariLs it w<is agreed to sen I a challeiigo ti the Tlnmos to play a •natch at TW.itoa on Saturday the 3rd proximo The progre«s of f.ii-> district continues to be veiy ia id ; Messrs Maclean & Co., have commenced operations on a large estate hell by them on the west side of Waitod, and ;i re about letting- a contract for the ploughing of 400 acres, the purchasers on the Te Aroha Block are als3 beginning to shape. The drainage of the swamp portion of ihe Te Aroha is rapidly proceeding, and with anything like favorable weather, should be completed by the end of winter. The country is not looking first-rate at present the grass hiving got very much burnt up, and from the long continued drought which w is followed by a visitation'oi caterpillais, accounts for the unusual bareness of t'le pasture at this season. The Lite rains, however, are making the grass shoot again, and if the frosts will but hold off for a while the appeirance of things will soon improve.