SUNDAY HOCKEY AT MOUTOA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1082, 13 August 1912, Page 2

SUNDAY HOCKEY AT MOUTOA.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —For some time past some of the residents ot Moutoa have been indulging in the game of hockey. For the game itself, when played at the right time, I have nothing but admiration, as I believe it to be a healthy, invigorating winter pastime. However, the object of writing is to protest against the day that is chosen tor many of these games. If those who play cannot had time enough to play on six days of the week without trespassing on the Dord’s Day, then they must indeed be enthusiasts. But such enthusiasm is quite misplaced. Quite recently a hockey match was played on a Sunday, at Moutoa, betweeu teams trom Moutoa and Shannon. I have not seen any report in your columns as to the result of that match, but probably it is not desired to give publicity to it. At a recent match it is reported that a prominent resident of Foxtou, aud one who holds a responsible position, acted as referee, aud expressed the opinion that he was sorry he was not refereeing at a ladies’ match. I have been informed on good authority that the law can be euiorced to prohibit such Sunday games, and that those who indulge m them do so at their own risk. But quite apart from the legal aspect of the case, public opinion ought to be sufficient to put a stop to it. A “Sabbath Day Observance Deague” has been formed in Wellington, auc it would be a very good thing if a branch of such a league could be formed in this neighbourhood. A dignitary ot the Anglican Church, some time ago, referred to many of the people of New Zealand as

“heathen.'’ The word raised a controversy at the time, but there is no doubt that is was a true description oi very many of the inhabitants of this so-cailed Christian country. Many are practically heathen without the excuse of the heathen. God has given to man six days in which to labour and play hockey, etc., and He claims a seventh ot the time (one day) lor Himseli. Many are not satislied with the six, and thus deliberately they steal the Loras Hay, and make it a day of pleasure and ot sin. How easily we forget that it is ‘'righteousness alone that exalte!h a nation,’’ and that the nations that iorget God must perish, in the midst oi the manifold blessings that He has given us we forget Him and rob Him ol His own day. We are justly proud ot our great British .Empire, but just as the vast empires of the past have passed away, so will our Empire pass away it we, as a nation, forget God. Far-called our navies melt away— On dune and headland sinks the lire— Lo, all our pomp of yesterday Is one with Niniveh and Tyre ! Judge of the nations spare us yet, Lest we forget, lest we forget! Perhaps a good deal ui the play has taken place through thoughtlessness, for “evil is wrought for want oi thought as well as want of heart,” aud I trust that when those concerned think the matter over taeir good sense will prevail, aud that Sunday hockey will be a thing oi the past. —1 am, etc., T. Coats worth. Foxtou, Aug. Bth, xyi2,