RUGBY DISCONTENT. TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXII, Issue 64, 13 September 1911, Page 3

RUGBY DISCONTENT. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir,— lt; is no stretch of imagination when I say that fully 90 per cent, of Rugby players and the football public generally whole-heartedly endorse the remarks appearing in your leaderette of yesterday on "Rugby and its Management." Being a player, I am trying to I dismiss any bias that may unconsciously bo in my mind, and deal with tho matter impartially I am of tho opinion- that your articles was not an extremist's view of tho subject, but that it was rather mild and hardly wentfar enough. Leaving the questions alono which you touched on, I would like to ask why the Athletic Park was not liberally watered for the Cup championship final, and also last Saturday's match, similar to what is done in Australia and other New Zealand cities. i''or instance, the Press Association "taled last Saturday that tho playing ground at I Christchurch was artificially soaked prior ! to the playing of tho Taranaki and the homo match. Of course, tho local sprayI ing once a week hern is quite useless, and that idea was clearly demonstrated to the writer at the conclusion of last Saturday's match, when different players were reviewing their forms for patches intact, i.e., from abrasions, to say nothing of foot-sore. Had the ground been a quagmire nothing could nave- been done, but there is no excuse for tho present complaint, which is fairly general. Last Week when tho Referees' Association applied for tho small sum of ih c pounds, to go towards the cost of entertaining \isiting referees, they were peremptorily turned down. I should say there will bo a dearth of umpires next What is the cause of the decline of Rugby? There arc various factors at work. Ihere is the Rugby rough ; the game is unscientific, and lacta that spectacular finish so pleasing to the Northern Union game; glaring inattention to our junior playp.rs ; causing j players to becqmc 'stale by playing nineteen Saturdays in succession, the average j number of playing Saturdays for tho Dominion being twelve} and it is also very questionable if tho present system of selection brings forth tho best men for representative honour*. Another big question the delegates to this evening's meeting should consider seriously is tho secession from the English Rugby Union. That being accomplished, then the pruning knife could be judiciously got to work on tho rules. Thanking you fof your many .'nrioavours to purify nnd preserve our national game.*"! am, ntc, SENIOR PLAYER. 13th September. P.S.-^I omitted to mention that I know of two clubs, through disgust, that are prepared to go over t'> tho League game ut any moment. A natural charm distinguishes the wearer of a "Waincr'e uust-pioof corset,— Advbj,