LADIES HOCKEY REPRESENTATIVES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10063, 10 August 1910, Page 6

LADIES HOCKEY REPRESENTATIVES.

To the Editor.

Sir,—l notice an effusion in your issue of thia morning attacking the committee which selected the ladies representative hockey team, and as a member of that committee 1 ask for space to reply. The attempt at criticism is so atrociously weak that one would treat it with the contampt it deserves and say nothing, but for the fact that it reflects on the Jadies selected and may lead those not intimato with Wairavaya hockey who have been unfortunate enough to read "Intcrested's" epistle to think that the committee had neglected its duty. The selection committee have studied the merits and demerits of each player closely trie whole of the season—not guessed as "Interested" has plainly shown

he has done. Firstly correspondent says we have not done juatice to the material available. May 1 ask who had the temerity to tell him he was capable of judging our actions 7 For myself I make no excuses whatever; I intend U stand by my opinions and may be pardoned for saying I am certainly in a position to form an unbiased opinion, which "Interested" is not, as he shows clearly that he has selected a nome de plume which fits him exctiy, and shows plainly that he is endeavouring to further the claims of certain players belonging to a club in which he must be interested, at the expense of players who are entitled to their places on play, not because they belong to a club. I maintain we have made the best selection from those who are able to

make the trip, "interestec" considers L. Smith as gojj, M. Skeet and K. Waterson, as full backs, make the

strongest combination in the position in the vVairarapa. 1 don't, and no other individual who can deal with the matter impartially and without prejudice, can say otherwise* To say we "purposely picked a very weak B team so that they wuuld not be able to give th*eir doubtful A team a go for their places" is a statement worthy cf tha writer. Tnen he talks of "i'ir distribution," meaning apparently that each club should have so maay players in the

ttam irrespective of whether they are entitled to their places or not. What a very intelligent and fair way of selecting a team! "Interested" says "the sooner Wairarapa ladies wake up and get selectors who understand their business, the better." This is a stock phrase, and I'm sure took no nieniiil cil'oit on the part of th 3 writer. Perhaps "Interested" had longing eyes on a position on the committee himself, or perhaps he is a person who lies been on a previous committee. Anyway I can tell him that the Wairarapa ladies have awakened to the fact that they don't intend to allow persons such as he to interfere with the affairs of their Association. The selection of the team that he considers the A team would find a hard nut to crack is a weak attempt at criticism. He is apparently not aware that among his "chosen" are some ladies who have intimated to thfi secretary that they cannot make the trip, and who have not been taken into consideration for that reason. Under a r.ome de plume. "Interested" has had a otab at the cummittee in the dark—a verv plucky action. JNow "Interested," publish your name and show you're not afraid—l'm not ashamed I to publish mine. Ana if "Interested's" name does find way into print the reading pub'.ic will clearly see ; the reason for his epistle, and that he cho3e an" excellent nome de plume for his purpose—"lnterested" in a certain Club. Thanking you for the valuable space for this letter, I am, etc., BEN IVESON. (Member of tha Wairarapa Ladies Hockey Selection Committee.) August 9, 1910.