THE BRITISH TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 32, 6 August 1930, Page 6

THE BRITISH TOUR

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

Various matters relating to the tour of the British Rugby football team are teuched upon by correspondents in the letters to the editor of "The Post."

"In view of the large profits that have been made by the New Zealand Rugby Union," writes "Hamish," "it is.suggested that this .body .-relight--consider donating some proportion of its profits to the alleviation of distress, or as a contribution to funds providing work for the unemployed. No doubt the sporting public, who have been largely instrumental in ensuring the financial success of the British Rugby tour,'- would whole-heartedly endorse such a graceful action on the part of the.New Zealand Rugby Union," Tile handling of ..the.-crow<l at Athletic Park nfcit 1 Saturda^as; a subject of ■! reference by two correspondents. "Little.Eric of Beyhanappre," while,'conunending the j aptio^Op^B'^ugby^^igals in providing extrS^'aceommodationy: "urges that ..steps should bet taken tp.:;:prey.ent a recurrence of Tthe .congestion .■which:occurred at the back of the western bank steps. on the occasion of/.the: Great Britain-Wellington match. ''At one particular, place," the correspondent states,"an iron fence forms an acute angle nnd causes a bottle-neck, j making access to; the south-east end a difficult-matter, and only attempted by those of the Amazonian type who could '■ fight; their way, through/;' Eventually this corner was so jarnnie.d with people that the pressure ,of the. crowd still entering forced them forward on. to the people sitting on the top row of the "bank.' In order to save themselves from being catapulted right over our heads on to those below they had to place their hands on our shoulders, ram their feet against the wooden seat,, and every now and then give a concerted heave, as they were absolutely unable to stand upright. It was an exceedingly uncomfortable position, and dangerous. Had a link in the chain been broken nothing could have saved a very serious disaster., If several policemen were stationed at this particular corner to move the crowd on instead of allowing them to congregate there, the chances of a recurrence of the congestion would be lessened." Another correspondent points out that the facilities for exit at the main gates were totally' inadequate after the BritainWellington match, and urges that more provision should be made in view of the very large crowd expected at Athletic Park next: Saturday.- :"After the BritainWellington -inatchy" the correspondent ! states, "there were all the elements of a nasty accidehfcy. and, though bigger and harder than-most/1 hope t shall never again have a similar experience. In my own immediate neighbourhood dresses were torn, shoes and spectacles lost, while women, and children were screaming with fear. Three constables and the writer had great difficulty, in',picking up one unfortunate who was. knocked down, and altogether . the experience" was most unpleasant. ■ From their seats in the grandstand members of the Rugby Union may he unable to appreciate the potential clanger. I sincerely hope something will be done in the matter." —It is understood that the Rugby Union is taking steps in the direction urged by the correspondent. The hope is expressed by some correspondents that arrangements will be made to have tickets of admission to. the ground on sal; some days prior to the match. With regard to 'conveniences at Athletic Park, it is stated that the Rugby Union is making additional installations. "A Thinker" expresses the opinion that Mr. E. M'Kenzio was not sure of his ground in> criticising certain aspects of the British'team's.play>-;b.ufc ( at the same time considers that the refereeing of games is open to considerable improvement. The correspondent nlso alleges that the games have been badly managed.