FOOTBALL.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 165, 5 July 1888, Page 1

FOOTBALL.

Prior to the departure of Warbrick’s native football team from Napier on Saturday for Auckland, en route to England, they were entertained at a banquet at the Criterion Hotel. The large dining-room was crowded. When the good things provided had been disposed of, Mr Logan proposed the toast of the evening, and incidentally expressed his pleasure at the marked improvement shown in the play of Mr Warbrick’s team. The fine combination shown promised well for their success, and he hoped that day’s victory would prove the prelude of many, both m the colony and at Hone. The excellent character of the English teams was well known, but with" the practice which the native team had before it, he was satisfied that it would do credit to the colony, even against the clubs of Britain. Hawke’s Bay had particular reason to feel interested, as it was well represented by Mr Ihirnaira, and could also lay claim to Messrs yage and Ellison, who learned their football at Te Aute, and also to Mr J. Warbrick, who had played so well for the province. The toast was received with great enthusiasm. Mr Warbrick in replying said that he was hopeful for the success of his men, but whatever fate befell them on the football field, they would do nothing off it unVr Ort T^ of yepresentatives of the colony. Mr Ihimaira and Mr Hawkins also spoke, and songs, &0., were given by Messrs Ellison, Hawkins, Scott, Ihimaira, and Wilson, The proceedings were most cordial and enthusiastic, and on the teams emerging from the hotel to take seats in -the waiting conveyances the street was to be thronged with spectators, all anxious to say »good bye ” to the natives, who have become extremely popular, Anether large crowd assembled at the spit, and hearty cheers were given and returned as the launch move doff,