University Teams’ Behaviour

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31339, 8 April 1967, Page 12

University Teams’ Behaviour

Sir,—Last Tuesday night I had occasion to travel from Wellington to Christchurch on board the ferry, which also carried the University teams from Otago and Canterbury, returning from the Easter tournament in Wellington. The behaviour of members of the teams was such that 1 was ashamed to be in the same ship, in my wife's presence. Surely it is possible to be broad-minded and reasonable without having to accept the drunkenness and obscene talk of some of these louts. No doubt most of the teams’ members showed the decency and sense to be expected of any citizen, but a minority certainly let the others down on this occasion—and that minority included both sexes. Would it not be reasonable to suggest that if the University authorities allow these teams to compete in the name of the University,

they should also see to it that acceptable behaviour is maintained, at least in public places?—Yours, etc., ALARMED.

March 30, 1967. [The president of the Canterbury University Students’ Association (Mr T. G. B. Armitage) replies: “The behaviour of students travelling on the ferry as representatives of the Students’ Association has been of some concern to the association. Accordingly, the person in charge of the team must report to the chief steward before sailing and again after docking. After the trip in question no complaints were received by the member in charge from either the chief steward or the police constable on board. After talking with the member in charge I am satisfied he made every effort to ensure that other passengers on the ferry were not disturbed by the students.’*]