CORRESPONDENCE. THE WHATAWHATA SPORTS.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1485, 10 January 1882, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE. THE WHATAWHATA SPORTS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Yours of the sth contains a letter signed "OTempora, 0 Mores," in which the writer grossly "misrepresents facts. He states that at the Whatawhata athletic sports a man appeared with only a shirt on in the main throughfare, vowing that he could jump higher than anyone else. Now, sir, for the facts : The jumping was not on the main thoroughfare. The man (who came to Whatawhata more than half tipsy) proposed to enter for the jumping match, and began to strip for the purpose, but the instant it was observed that he was not provided with the usual and property costume, lie was hustled tout of the throng, threatened with a kicking for his want of decency, and, boots in hand, took flight to the nearest house for refuge ; and was not countenanced during the day by anyone connected with the sports, or allowed to enter for any of the contests, although repeatedly applying to do so. " O.T. 0.M. " stigmatises athletic sports as demoralising gatherings, still Old TOM subscribed most generously toward the sports, also attended them, and laughed heartily at the only incident which relieved the dull monotony of the quietest and most orderly sports it has over been my lot to witness. While " 0.T. 0.M. " bewails the lax morals of the times he should remember that truth is a sine qua non in morality, also in respectability. " 0.T. 0.M." thinks that the police should interfere, and crush us out with the iron heel of the law. Now I think such snakes in the grass as " 0.T.0.M." should be crushed out with the iron heel of some honest man's boot. Now, alas ! (or rather lam JDco) "0.T.0.M." has turned his back on Whatawhata, I suppose our last spark of respectability is gone ; that all evil-speaking may go with it and him is the wish of — Yours truly Whatawhata. Whatawhata, January 9th.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — Having read a production signed "O Tempora, 0 Mores" in your issue of the sth inst., I was much astonished at the tenor of that very big man's composition, for he must be a big man to have such an opinion of himself, viz. : respectability, also 0 Tempora, 0 Mores. I suppose he knows the meaning of the phrases. I hope for his own credit's sake he does not belong to Whatwhata. A person or persons (I was going to say gentlemen) who rush into print and attack a whole community should be careful, and especially moral, and I presume church-going ; should be more guarded in what they write about, and if not accustomed always to speak the truth, try to keep as near it as their conscience will allow them. Moral men as a rule would have pointed out to the committee any disgraceful behaviour at the time. I believe one case only occurred on the day of the sports, and but few knew anything about it, until morality man's effusion appeared in your paper of the sth inst. Like all respectable men of his class, he had not the generosity (bad word when applied to him) to mention that the athlete who wished to distinguish himself was an outsider, and had not recovered from the excitement caused by the demoralising gatherings, called athletic sports, inHamilton, on the previous day. I fee 1 so certain, and can picture to myself the disappointment depicted on his jovial countenance when the poor Highlander was unceremoniously ejected from amongst the competitors, and was not allowed to enter or take part in the high leap, which, we all know, Scotchmen (and especially Highlanders) arc good at, and in all athletic games. " 0 Tempora, 0 Mores " states it is high time all respectable people should turn their backs upon such scenes. It is quite evident he did not, nor did he turn his eyes up in pious horror, or lam much mistaken. I have heard from some of the committee that if he is sorry that he paid his subscription, they will return it to him if he will apply personally for it. (Signed) "Old Clothes."