THE SCHOOLS' MATCH.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18107, 24 June 1924, Page 9

THE SCHOOLS' MATCH.

TO THE EDITOR OT "THE P3ESS.'' Sir, —It seems to me that a great deal of fuss is being made over the refusal or the headmaster or' the College to allow the football match with the High School to be played at Lancaster Park. A number of anonymous correspondents have rushed into print under various noms-de-plume, and have written childish, would-be facetious. or threatening letters airing their views. I should suggest to these embryo wits that if they desire to criticise any particular person or institution they should consider the attitude of the Canterbury Rugby Union in fomenting a small local irritation and giving it the prominence of a. colossal carbuncle. As the match is a private one, find as the High School have accepted the College's challenge on certain conditions, I should think that the action of the C.B.U. in discussing the matter in open meeting, sending deputations, and generally interfering is a matter ot gratuitous impertinence, and their attitude can only be attributed to either anxiety for the "gate money" or a desire'to belittle the. oldest private school in Xcw Zealand. In any case it appears .as though the C.B.U. arc seeking publicity once more—as in the last few months they have been before the public on various occasions—firstly over the Marists' trouble, then with regard to the League match with the Australian team, and now over the College match —all within the last month or so. Public opinion as to the sportsmanlike behaviour of the C.R.U. is not by a long way favourable to the Union, nor is their arbitrary general attitude particularly popular with the public. . I do not think that there would have boon all this "storm in a teacup" had the C.R.U. refrained from interfering in a private matter which, after all, is really outside their province, and is no business of theirs.

This talk of " class football" is ridiculous, and is a cant phrase generally suggestive of "sour grapes." I notice bv the way that the C.R.U. does not contain one old College boy, but this inay be a coincidence. —Yours, etc., "N.O.S.E.Y. PARKER."

TO THE F.DITOB O? "THE PRESS."

Sir,— Writing from the point of view of a man with sons at both seats of learning, may I suggest that this match be played alternately each year on the usual home ground of each? This was the invariable rule when I was an English schoolboy, and is, I feel sure, still the custom, the only exception being the few inter-school cricket matches played at Lord's by invitation of a private club, the Marylebone Cricket Club. —Yours, etc., PATERFAMILIAS.