FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2356, 24 November 1908, Page 2

FOOTBALL.

The complimentary concert tendered to Mr. William J . Wallace, the celebrated three-quarter back footballer, at, the Town. Mall, Wellington, the other evening, was a successful function. The Prime Minister, Sir Joseph Ward, at the request of Mr. P. M. B. Fisher, M.P., presented Mr. Wallace with an illuminated address and a cheque for £2oU, as a recognition of ms honorable and sportsmanlike characteristics. Sir Joseph said Mr. Wallace fully deserved tins testimonial on account of the splendid work he had done in the football field, not only in New Zealand and Australia, but also in the Old Country, where lie had done so much, and perhaps more, than any other player jo upnold the prestige of New Zealand in respect of that game. He had started playing football when lie was but twelve years of age and had gone through the mill, lor lie had suffered a broken jaw, broken ankle, broken nose, and broken legs. But throughput his career both on and off the football field he had set a splendid example of manly straightforward conduct. In addition to tiie cheque for. £250 which Mr. Wallace would receive he would also be handed the total proceeds of the evening’s concert, for all the expenses were to be borne by those who had arranged the benefit performance. Cheers were given 'for ,Mr Wallace, who displayed a good deal of hesita-, tion when he stepped forward to acknowledge the compliments paid him. He said he had played in many a hard game of football, but he felt that even to attempt to thank his friends for the presentation to him was the hardest fight in which he had ever been engaged. Football had given to him many friends whom lie would cherish throughout his lifetime, and it had also given him many “jolly fine trips,” the memory of which he could never forgot. He thanked those who had taken a, share in bringing about the presentation that had been made to him, and the firm of which lie was an employee for its generosity in allowing him to go away on those trips. NOTES. Wo have received from the author, Mr. It. A. Barr, a copy of his new book, “With the British Itugby Team

in Maoriland.”. Mr. Barr, who i» •porting and dramatic editor of the "'Otago Witness,” acted as spocial correspondent throughout the tour to v number of INew Zealand, Australian, and English papers, and had ample opportunities to form a correct and' unbiassed opinion regarding ,thc tour. The book -contains a quantity of solid information put before the reader with same literary grace and the remarks on the social side of the tour, together with many humorous references make the story exceedingly interesting as well as useful. There are many fine illustrations in the bodk -as well as eight special articles by .other writers. Six pages are devoted by the author to the Gisborne visit of which he writes in.enthusiastic terms. - Speaking of the match itself, he hays:—“Poverty Bay was represented" by a splendid side, who died fighting, and it was certainly the worst of luck which xnevented the local team scoring on at least two occasions Poverty Bay played

pluckily and in (he first half kept the score down to 6 —nil. The second spell saw Britain on top and running op the points, but Poverty Bay forwards and backs played like tigers to the end.” Altogether the' book is well worth reading and should command a ready sale.