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Auckland Star, Volume LII, Issue 190, 11 August 1921, Page 9

(To the E<lt*or.)

Sir, —Supposing we get a wet, miserable day for the coming football matches? Who are going to attend? Only the regular patrons, who are enthusiastic sports, and supporters of the game, while the "casuals," who are squealing for the Domain, with its ridiculous stand accommodation, will stay home 'by the fireside, leaving we enthusiasts forced to stand in the rain, mud and slush, cursing our luck that through the selfishness of these ''casuals" we are deprived of a comfortable seat on the big stands at Eden Park. I would go so far as to suggest, in the event of the Domain beingdecided on, to ensure financial success, that ticketß for admission 'be sold during the previous week at different places, ibut only up to, say, Friday night, bo tickets whatever to foe sold on Saturday. People would not then want to see what kind of a day Saturday brought forth before deciding as to whether they were going to spend a couple of shillings or not, and no true sport, even if too wet for him to attend, would regret the loss of his money. ''FairplayV' assertion of the Union "fleecing' the public, I think, is ridiculous, for what is a couple of shillings compared to what the sporting public are able, and do expend individually at every race meeting? It is a simple matter to criticise the management oi any concern, but it's usually the critics who are amongst the missing when there's a job to be done, and I think it is up to the public to commend the enterprise of those concerned for bringing about this tour, which apparently has 'been very successful as far as it ha» gone. I am sure the Springboks wouM much prefer to leave New Zealand knowing they had been the meanß of 'helping to extend and increase the facilities for Rugby than knowing their tour was a drain on the financial resources of the N.Z.R.U.

As regards the prohibition of the Press from publishing the names of the teams, I quite agree with "Fairplay,"

and think the officials have made a gr-ave error in this respect, as in addition to other reasons more important, all sports naturally -will be anxiouß to know as early as possible tbe names of the men to take the field on what promises to be such a memorable occasion in the annals of Ruglby football. I trust that those responsible will stand firm, and have the game played in Eden Park, where there is plenty of accommodation )n the stands, hills, and ground generally.—l a m, etc., REGULAR ATTENDER.