SUNDAY HOCKEY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1085, 20 August 1912, Page 3

SUNDAY HOCKEY.

(To the Editor)

Sir. —In your paper of the 17th inst., I notice a letter signed “A Player,” and the writer has taken cover under the fact that a report of the hockey match complained of in your paper by Mr Coatsworth was reported to your paper by your correspondent. “A Player,” however, forgot to mention that the reporter to your paper withheld certain particulars, no doubt for the purpose of protecting, as much as possible, the players who took part in the match, and to avoid acquainting the public with the facts of a case which were already a public scandal. The match referred to was contested in Mr Smith’s paddock in the presence of a large number ot people on a Sunday afternoon. “ A Player” mentioned in his letter that he would like to draw his friend’s attention to the report of the hockey match in your paper, and that we I suppose the “sports”—were not afraid of its publicity. I wonder hew he will like to mother the glaring facts of the case now, if so, will he have the moral courage to say yes through your paper and sign his own name. “A Player” professes to be something of a Christian. If so he should also remember that ' one otthe commandments is, “Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.” Can “A Player” conscientiously say that playing hockey and football on a Sunday is keeping the Sabbath day holy ? The fact that ‘‘A Player” has made an insinuating, ignorant and unwarranted attack on Mr Coatsworth, and because he says he is not afraid of this scandal being reported in the paper, and the fact that he was afraid to sign his own name to his letter is sufficient evidence that he is a moral coward. He has in the tone of bis letter tried to throw mud at a man who protested against a practice which his religious principles tell him is wrong, and Mr Coatsworth has only done his duty by protesting against such a i-.ractice, and “A Player” 11 ..s only shown his ignorance by trying to insult Mr Coatsworth personally, instead of criticising his letter.—l am, etc., A, H. Yates, Whitaunui.