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Hokitika Guardian, 6 April 1925, Page 2

At the social at the Soldiers’ Hall the other evening, a plea was made by Mr Seddon at the suggestion of followers of Rugby in Greymouth, for co-opera-tion from this end to ensure the supremacy of Rugby football on the Coast. 1 nere should he no doubt about the response from this end, where Rugby has held always the close attention of players and public. Rugby football has given New Zealand its greatest advertisement, and the Coast has had some reflection of the glory pertaining to that publicity in that the district was worthily represented in the all-con-quering team of All Blacks. There will he future All Blacks teams sent abroad, and it should !>e the ambition of all players to join the galaxy of representatives who have brought such honour to the Dominion. Mr Steel mentioned the other night that from his youth up he was attracted to the game. There are scores of other young players nowadays, similarly attached. 'l’he best should be done for these votaries of the game by making Rugby as interesting and as attractive as possible, and there is no doubt a good healthy competition or series of games, is the best way to achieve that end. Some little time ago, we wrote on the necessity of organising Rugby loculi', to that end. and with our neighbours willing and even anxious to co-operate there should be every reason why this season should be made a very bright one by the interchange of both senior and junior teams between the two towns. It was the friendly rivalry of Greymouth and Hokitika in years past which built Rugby up to a very high standard, and the public in both towns had many thrills enjoying the competitive games. If those competitions could be revived, ihe future of Rugby would be brighter on the Coast. This great English game which New Zeainnders have learned so well to play, can

never die out. It may fluctuate in varying seasons, but Rugby will carry always a prestige, and those now attracted to the game cannot do better tnan retain their adherence to so historic a code (it rules. Here, where there has always been a predisposition for ltugby, we should like to sec it flourish, and the best way to ensure that is to see the standard of play maintained at the highest season after season. It is the duty ol those in control to see that aspect of their duty.