THE SOCCER CODE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10168, 24 July 1924, Page 5

THE SOCCER CODE

AN UPSETTING LETTER.

TECHNICAL SCHOOL DIRECTOR.

REFUSES SCHOLARS A '-FOOTBALL

“I was much surprised to find the school boys to-day playing with an association football, and, on inquiry, found that it had come from your club. I notice from a newspaper report that the Wanderers’ Club is supposed to have donated an association football to the Technical School. I would point out that no application has been made by me foi a football, and I look upon the . attempt to introduce a new code into this school behind my hack, as it were, as an unfair action on the part of the Wanderers’ Club. The ball is returned by bearer.” The above letter from the Director of the Technical School, Mr R. JThompson, gave the members of the Ashburton County Association h ootball Executive at their meeting last evening “a hit of a jolt. The letter was regarded as unnecessarily tactless, and to say the least, harsh in its tone. . , , Mr F. Anderson said that a mistake had been made in sending a ball to Mr Thompson, as it was reported that he was rather an officious sort of perMr J. Wilson said that about* a tort-nio-ht ago at the Rugby Union meeting a ball was sent to the Wakanui School. Did the master apply for the ball. Certainly not, Mr Thompson was a man who was hook 'or by crook rip against association football. he speaker was of the opinion that the association should write a tactful Icttci to Mr Thompson on the matter. Ihe association did not want any animosity between the two' codes, and it was all on the Technical School director’s part if any trouble did arise. Mr McDonnell was of the opinion that perhaps the director was annoyed because the hall was not actually given to him. He thought that it was only one of those unfortunate incidents which had been taken up wrongly. Other members argued that the cni«dren could play any game they liked. It was finally resolved to reter the letter to the 'Wanderers* Club to ouke any suitable action.