The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1912.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3624, 10 September 1912, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1912.

As is well-known, the notes and com- , ments on local Rugby Criticism in Rugby which, the “Times.” have appeared under the num do plume “Longpot” in the Saturday issues of the “Times” have been read with a very considerable amount of interest by followers of the game. It is no doubt the case that in all instances the views which have been set forth in the column in question may ■ not have met with the widest possible acceptance. Had it so happened that the whole of the criticism that has taken place pleased everybody, it would, of course, have been nothing short of marvellous —and also of very little value. But “Longpot,” it will have been noted, found many points in regard to which “he” —or for that matter any other football writer —could not have helped- being at variance—sometimes with spectators, sometimes with players, sometimes with a referee, sometimes with the selector, and sometimes even with the governing body itself. Xor has “Lpngpot” spoken in any uncertain manner when

he has considered it encumbent upon him to call attention to any thing which to his nay of thinking was not <in the true interests of Rugby. That “he” lias done good service to the game is evidenced by the many flattering tributes which have been paid “him” both personally and by letter —from players and supporters of the game alike. But, apparently, he has again trodden heavily on the toes of members of the Management Committee of the Union. (As a result of a similar previous “indiscretion” the Committee now exclude,press representatives from ail ttajMp^gatings.) In what particular appletfol|RfLonepot’’ has “offended” Jjjfrt'h'fe «?Wsion “he” is not yet in a fposifuojt t-S|say. All “lie” knows is ■that'll le-tiet, addressed to the Editor, cthis office last evening, and ywhs worueyl as under:

The/ Editor, Gisborne Times. Dear Sir, —I am instructed by the Committee of the P.R.R.U. to write •you asking that you instruct your contributor “Long-Pot” to attend a meeting of the Committee in the Turf Club Room at the MasonicHotel on Tuesday, 10th inst., at 8.30 p.m. The Union has been very indignant at the tone of certain articles appearing under “Long-Pot’s” name iir the Saturday editions feeling that many of them are incorrect and unjustifiable. The Union wishes, however, to give him an opportunity to make an explanation before taking any further steps In the matter. —Yours faithfully, A. R. Gatland, Chairman.

Now, for our part, we consider the request which is contained in the letter one of the “coolest” we can cal! to mind. “Long-Pot” is, of course, responsible to the Editor or tftrs jour-nal—-not to the Rugby Union. It

of course, not at all likely thy, --LongPot,” whose identity is the business of the “‘Times,” and the “Times” alone, would be instructed to appear before the Committee in terms of the request. Jf the Committee feel aggrieved in regard to anything that has been published they are certainly not going about the matter in the proper way. As has always been the case, this journal is only too willing ihat both sides of any question in dispute should receive the fullest publicity. We may add on this occasion that we trust that the incident may lead to a full review of the government of the Rugby game locally during the now expiring season.