TRIAL FOOTBALL MATCHES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 182, 2 August 1900, Page 3

TRIAL FOOTBALL MATCHES.

(To the Editor.) : '-,'•' Sir,—Last Saturday several .members o^ the A and B trial teams arriyed at Pot-* Iter's Paddock very late, through" some peculiar mismanagement (or / was •' it an oversight of the Auckland Rugby '-Union*. For several years-past it has, been invariable custom of the Union to provide drags for the trial team's. These drags have usually left the Metropolitan corner about 2 p.m. Last Saturday a number of members engaged in the trial game waited—with a holy patience like unto that of Job—until about 2.30 p.m., but yet no drag appeared, and at this . the eleventh hour, they had to,find whatever, conveyance they could. If the Union intended departing from its custom of previous years, it should . have notified the players concerned. . While recognising? that the Union is not bound. to. provide conveyance, I think It a parsimonious policy on the part of that body-to treat trial players in such a manner. Throughout the two rounds of the club competitions, it is the players who make the gate, and they have to pay to and from the ground, and the Union does not hesitate to calmly collect "its little bit." Through the players practically all the revenue is derived, and a few shillings spent on drags for the two or three trial matches would surely not materially strain the coffers of the wealthiest Union in the colony. I trust these remarks will serve to effect the desired change, as in the eyes of the public the men who drawthe thousands to the "rep", matches are worth conveying to the ground for the preparatory trials. Thanking you in' anticipation and complimenting th» A.R.U. on its up-to-date exposition >of th« "skinflint policy."—l am,1 etc., .'■ SKinnnu P° H / LOCK poTTER-EPSOM,