The Trip Across.

Within three hours of the selection the "Maitai" cast off from the Wellington wharf. Of the trip little need be said save that it was not good. It was not until towards the close of the third day that there was any general desire for fresh air, and there was very general rejoicing when the shore-line of Australia broke through the haze on the horizon. It was in the afternoon of Tuesday the 30th June, that we sailed through the Heads and sighted the great city in which we were to spend ten short days. We were met at the wharf by representatives of the Sydney University, amongst whom were Mr. Hyam Marks, president, and Mr. Frank Coen, secretary, of the University Football Club, to both of whom the inauguration and success of the venture owe so much. It is greatly to be regretted that Mr. G. V. Bogle, who acted as secretary in New Zealand, was not there to see the consummation of his work. The team was driven to the Hotel Mansion and was soon comfortably settled. There was a football ground close by at Rushcutter's Bay and before night fell the advent of the black jersey told that the business of the tour had begun. The trip was undertaken primarily for football, a fact which most of the team seldom forgot, and which the manager, Dr. Hunter, did not forget at all. As long as there was a University match in view there was a practice every day, and that which energy, skill, experience, and concentrated eloquence could do for a team inside a week, that did Dr. Hunter for the New Zealand University side of 1908. Lest enthusiasm for Sydney and for the people of Sydney should hide the fundamental purpose of the trip it is proposed to deal with football before entertainment, with footballers before any reference is made to dances.