ONLOOKER'S VIEWPOINT.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 96, 24 April 1926, Page 15

ONLOOKER'S VIEWPOINT.

THE TOUR OF ROSE. L.C.T. writes: "One could not he surprised at Mr. Tilly's jeply in reference to my letter regarding the tour of Hose. As president of the Auckland Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, however, it would have been more tactful had Mr. Tilly confined himself to the question, and not to personalities. Read my letters again, Mr. Tilly, and you will find my references are opposing the general attitude of th« secretary and executive, and not as to the personal, financial and other aid of individuals. Had the centre acted in keeping with true sportsmanship traditions, financial aid would not have been lacking by thousands of supporters.

"Mr Tilly asks mc to 'come out inti» the limelight and let us see what he has done for athletics.' Firstly, when the president of the Centre, to whom I presume all correspondence is shown, will see that my letter to the secretary, requesting information on behalf of a number of keen supporters of Rose, is answered, then, and then only,, can bo expected my.signature.

"The secretary has, or had, in hii possession my letter referred to above, and my name can be disclosed by that letter, which, whilst dealing with the send-off of Rose from Auckland, apparently could not claim the courtesy of reply. As to my interest in athletics, financially and otherwise, it perhaps is only necessary to point out that my attachment to amateur athletics, and other amateur sport, is as little-known to the president of the Auckland Centre as his personal efforts are to mc, and I do not intend to bolster up my humble efforts in support of amateur sport. "I may be perhaps pardoned for referring to an unofficial request from athletic supporters at headquarters! that owing to the lack of support from Auckland Centre that I should take steps in arranging a citizens' committee to show some measure of appreciation from Auckland supporters. All this, however, is apart from the umisual sporting spirit disclosed over the Rose tour, and I again ask the question, why did the centre turn down all. proposals for the raising of funds and deny the sporting public the opportunity of showing its appreciation of a great athlete? "Should my protest have not wholly excluded mc from the inner circle of those in control, my humble service is at their command whenever extra assistance is required for the wellbeinc of the game." . °