CORRESPONDENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1086, 22 August 1912, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(To the Editor)

Sir. — Being also a resident of Moutoa, and one also, who could not justly be called a heathen, I should like to answer a few of the points raised in the letter which appeared in your columns signed “A Player.” Mr Coatsworth’a letter seems to have annoyed a good number of the hockey players of this district, but there are still a few in Moutoa who can honour a mau who dares to raise his voice in protest against what he considers a wrong. If ministers spoke only as the public dictated, they would indeed, as “A Player” insinuates, be engaged in dishonest toil. Might I point out also, that, as Mr Coatsworth’s parish extends from Foxton to Shannon, he cannot be justly accused of “going out of his way to condemn our quiet game of hockey.” “Our quiet game” is, by the way, rather amusing, as the shouting can be heard for quite a distauce, and the paddock is almost crowded —at least for Moutoa—with spectators. It seems that one cau always fiud au excuse for wrong-doing. For town people to plead that they are shut up in shops all the week aud ueed recreation is old, but surely a plea from a country resident of the ueed for fresh air is somewhat novel ? Does your correspondent forget that the God who provides the pure air and sunshine, also gave the commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it Holy,” And is it not a rather significant fact, that these same people who plead want of time as an excuse for Sunday hockey, find time (or perhaps they make it !) for other sports, such as hunting, which are not engaged in,except on weeks days ? I wish that some of your readers could come and see “A Player” innocently romping in the sunshine on a quiet Sunday afternoon ! it might open their eves a little. Certainly, anyone is “at liberty” to spend the seventh day as he pleases, ] '■••vi-.1.? • he ■(•■•es not own. L: : . -asl he remembered, is .jceuse. If the Sunday ~r- ~t ashamed to give pubii. their doings, why has neither mentioned : - were piayea on Sunday ■: in conclusion may I thank Mr Coatsworth for the staud which he has taken, and ask “A Player” next time he writes on a subject, not to let his feelings run away with his common sense and manners. Thankiny you in anticipation.—l am, etc., Hockey on Week Days. Moutoa, Aug. 18th, 1912.