SPORTSMANSHIP.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4823, 20 April 1925, Page 3

SPORTSMANSHIP.

ITo the Hdltorj. .Sir,—l must hasten to reply to a letter appearing in your issue of the 6th iwst. in which “R U A Sport ’ .held ' that a partly intoxicated man has • every right to strike a person whose barracking is not in accordance with his own. Such action certainly displays ignorance of. ordinary decency. Surely, if a man in such a.state is allowed on a field of. sport, and does strike a. person, does that mean to ‘ say that the receiver of the blow is responsible for the first-named man's action? -R V A Sport’s” letter was one of conflicting and . false statements throughout, and as these may be mis--1 eading to the public, hence my intrusion..; I would therefore like to give a candid account of the incident in question. .fust after the commencement of the match I began barracking strongly for the West team. .Their supporters were few and far between —perhaps half a dozen .in all—and as a football enthusiast has every right to barrack for whom he pleases I was rather surprised at first at Mr O’Neil’e (the man of .small stature) intrusion. He became very insistent, however, being ’ much the worse for liquor and was i sing some filthy language All the spectators,.- including many ladies, were within hearing, but “R U A .Snort’’ omitted to state thege facts. Perhaps he was .not present at. the match. I was doing my utmost to avoid Mr O’Neil all the afternoon, but he gave me no peace whatever, land followed me round the field, swearing and trying to hit me. The only comfort I could get yvas to kneel or lie on the .ground, where he did not offer (o punch me, but as soon as I rose and. my attention was detracted from him .to the match, and I had my’ hands in my overcoat -pockets, he came at me and let drive with all hisf mce with his fist into my stomach. 1 fell to the ground, and was assisted by a Karangahake sport to a In the' meantime my worthy friend, Mr 1-1 McKee, taking exception -to Mr O'Neil’s action, and wishing to take the part of a sick friend, ‘ .took Mr O'Neil to task and asked him why he did it. With that Mr O’Neil used filthy language, and my friend pushed him to the ground. He arose and was dealt a blow on the - ear not behind his-baek. as-Mr-O’Neil’s family and friends would make' the public . believe. A few days after this Mr O'Neil came to me aud apologised for his- action, and I am absolutely, certain he was heartily sorry for the occurrence. I bear him no ill-will what-: ever, as a man in the state he was in . - is not responsible for his actions The ease was there and then ended, so • far as Mr O’Neil and myself were concerned, but as "R U A Sport” has added fuel to the flames 1 intend seejng this out .to a finish, as my character, as well.as that of my worthy friend Mr McKee, is at stake. • As regards the actual letter, a member of Mr O’Neil’s family, or perhaps a very dear friend, under the ■nom. de plume of “R U A Sport,” is trying to make, out that Mr O’Neil was suffering an injustice, and not : my friend and I. “R UA 1 Sports action is surely too contemptible a one to even think of, and as for being a ' »gentleman, his action certainly does not appear to be that of one, especially to the sports of Karangahake, ■ J ani certain that “R U A Sport ; not a member of the Karangahake . Football Club, as they would not tolerate a person of his calibre. As • my-valiant friend’s action, the public of Karangahake, as well as of Paeroa (the sporting element generally) loudly'applaud his manly grit, and if “R U A Sport” contained some of the material he is made of lie would be a man. surely. My friend has only been-out of the hospital a month or ■ two. If “R U A Sport can contradict these statements let him do so through the medium of your paper, and in a straightforward manner.

In conclusion, I am sure the sports of Karangahake will not take exception to my letter, as it is not meant as a reference to their spoilsmanship, but to make clear the real facts ,of the case. A more sporting skipper than that of the Blue and Blacks would be very hard to find. Why did "R U A Sport” in the first place write to the paper under a nom de plume ? Is it because he cannot substantiate his stntemnnts ?

JAMES VERRAN.