CORRESPONDENCE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 302, 25 June 1909, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

FOOTBALL. WEDNESDAY'S MATCH. . (To the Editor.) . Sir, — I was pleased to.be 'able, toread in your last night's issue of the Advocate a correct report of Wednesday's match, Aotea v. . Woodville, also your leading article with reference to the referee, in which I think you have taken a proper view of the position. Your report ends by saying that Puru, the Aotea captain, withdrew his team from the -field as a protest for Rangi Nikoru being ordered off. That is absolutely ♦correct, although most of the spectators and hoodlums, seem to think differently. The version Puru gave after the match was entirely different to what really took place. He explained after the match that he thought when the referee blew his whistle the game had ended, and that was- why he ( left the field. \ I happen to bo in a position to deny that Puru thought anything of the kind, for as captain of the opposing team, I went to him when I heard him call "his team off and tried to advise him to go On with the game, as he was running the risk of having his team disqualified. His reply was that if Rangi Nikoru was ordered off, he would take the tea.ni off, and as Mr Rosenberg insisted on this | Puru and his team left the field. So ; far so' good"; I will leave that part of the business and give- the hoodlums on the line a rally: >•" ." ~ As everybody knows, this is the first match Woodville have had with Aotea where there has been any dissatisfaction or rough play, the games being always terminated "in' a most friendly manner. Wednesday's rough play was caused wholly arid solely" by the hoodlums On. the line, who by their hooting and howling, excited some of the Maoris to' such a pitch that they were Unaccountable for their actions, and in most cases had a liking for playing the mm instead of the ball. _ - In conclusion, I might say that "l am particularly -sorry that the trouble should have occurred with the Aotea team, as I have always had a great respect for the Maori footballers both on and, off the field, and I only "hope that in future matches with this team the same friendly feeling will exist as existed before Wednesday's match. — I am, etc., . : v HARRY A. L. MONTEITH, Captain Woodville Team.