FOOTBALL.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 764, 14 August 1894, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

[ By

Oval.]

1 was surprised to see the Referee's letter condemning the remarks made by ‘ Proteus’ and myself, and I think he got wide of the mark in saying that from our notes people would be apt to imagine that it was a pugilistic encounter and not a game of football. No one but a bilious person would, I think, read the remarks in that light. I think the Referee’s reference ‘to the total absence of unnecessarily rough play’ rather far-fetched, as on two or three occasions the play was contrary to this remark. The statement made by me of a man being intentionally punched in the face will, lam sure, be borne out by other spectators, and by some of the players themselves ; there was a chorus of voices when the blow’ was struck, and it is not likely that a number of people would at the same time mistake what took place. I feel sure that the Referee did not see the whole of the incident, otherwise he would not term it excellent fending.

The efforts to ‘ down ’ the Reps have so far been unsuccessful in one direction —the reps have not been downed,, they probably will be, yet. But the efforts have been productive of good, as the reps have obtained valuable practice. That was not what prompted the promoters of the opposing teams; it was in the. first case spleen, because one section of the Club determined to stand by the gentleman who was good enough to act as Referee. No directly personal remarks have been unkindly made by me—that is no names have been mentioned when adverse criticism became necessary. An outrageous attack was made on the Referee, an abject apology was made by the offending player to prevent the case going into Court, the incident was quietly smoothed over without a name being recorded, and afterwards the warmest credit was given when it was deserved. All this was taken as a matter of course, yet directly I hold that censure was necessary and it was applied, still without names being mentioned, there was a howl. There is no desire to make things unpleasant for anyone, on the contrary the aim is to save bodily injury being done to players, and, above all, to prevent, as tar as possible, objectionable language. In these two directions will I persevere, when necessary, even if I stand alone.