A REPLY.

Manawatu Herald, 5 July 1904, Page 2

A REPLY.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE MANAWATU HERALD. Sir, —Onlooker in your last issue is evidently disgusted with what I may call the §ood matured banter ot the alleged hoodlums at the late football match, I am afraid Onlooker is incapable of discerning between hooliganism and good-natured banter. Hooliganism had a start in the theatre the other evening, but its incipient, spark was quickly quenched by one of the actors. He is also surprised that no other out-door games flourish in Foxton. If the exponents of them gave exhibitions similar to the local footballers its time at all events they were in oblivion- I don’t think they would have the audacity to charge to go on a ground that is free to the public, Barracking and banter are adjuncts of football, and footballers must not be too thin-skinned in that respect. Had the local constable been upon the ground 1 am afraid some of the players would be wondering what the decision of the S.M. would be at the next sitting of the Court. If football is to flourish in Foxton the best men ought to represent the club. The public would then be satisfied, the players would be interested, and a proper exhibition of the game would be shown. —I am, &c., Justice. Foxton, ist July, 1904.

( We think Justice should make sure of his information before rushing into print, and making statements that we are positive he knows nothing about. First of all he terms the remarks made use of by the alleged hoodlums as good-natured banter. We differ on this point, as the epithets hurled at the local players were de- , cidedlf offensive, in fact the referee’s decisions were also disputed, and the barrackers (?) were most prominent in crowding oa' the field whenever the ball was to be thrown in. A timely warning to thfese offenders may be of service at this juncture—that is, to be cafefu}, or they may be treated as a spectator at a Petone match was—disqualified for twelve months from the football grounds. - Givr correspondent also shows ignorance when he speaks of the “ audacity ” to charge- for admission to the ground, ■ and that the ground is free to the public. It is not a free ground,’ .. the Foxton Racing Club, being 1 the controlling body, and from them the Football Club have received permission to use it, and make a charge for admission when necessary. The nimble sixpence usually changed, however, seems to have affected the equilibrium of some persons, who meanly i;efuse to pay. We would recommend that in future such offenders be relegated to a stand of their own outside the fence where a view of the game in progress would not be so good. The disparaging remarks made against the local players is quite nntair. Perhaps weak spots could be found, but our correspondent must remember that the team had played only two matches previously, and consequently were not in form. The local team were not by any means disgraced by their defeat. Can Justice get another team together that can beat the local players ?— Ed, M. Herald.