CORRESPONDENCE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 June 1924, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

A REPLY TO “CO-MAIITTEK.MAN” (To the Editor). Sir.—The Arahura K.(_. cannot be congratulated on its spokesman. No doubt he has conducted lln* ease to his own manifest satisfaction : and even it he has departed somewhat (1 ) I rout the whole truth, and hit delicately at both the referee and the Sub-Union, the end (we mav suppose) justifies the means. Tile facts of tin* case are as follows:- The Referees' Assn, appointed a certain referee to control the recent match between Arahura and Excelsiors. The appointment was approved ot by the Sub-Union, and both teams met at C'ass Square. During the game. an Aiahnra player was ordered oil the ground for persistently olqcct ing to the referee's rulings. * hen the Arahura team, being 'lien two points ahead, declared a.strike, ami walked oil the field in a body. The consequent action ol the SubUnion in punishing only the principal olfcudcr. and in condoning the Aralitira “strike" was extremely lenient, anil ••Committeeman's’' impertinence is very ill-advised. Every grievance ami objection that the Arahura F.C. have bad previous to tin* match were forleited when they took the Held under this relorce. 'I licit* very action in lining up for the kickoff proved that they had agreed to abide by hi' decision and to “nlay the game." So also, their action in declaring a strike during the game proves a pre-arranged determination to take the law into their own hands ami revenge t licnisclvcs un the reterce. JJiis action denied them whatever little sympathy they may have expected, and any attemot at justification by “l oinmitioceiii.au" is merely a petty impert incncc. T am Sir. Yours etc.. RABID EXCELSIOR.