RUGBY FOOTBALL GROUNDS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 13 August 1929, Page 4

RUGBY FOOTBALL GROUNDS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —111 vour Friday’s issue appears a letter, published by the Eltliam Football Club, which they state was received by them from Opunake Club. If the wording of this letter is correct, I must state that their reference to the Eltharn ground not originating from the Opunake Club is contrary to fact The 1 . Opunake president, who is also chairman of committee, rang me and also saw me personally previous to the last union meeting, and stated that they did not want to play on Eltharn ground on any account, being one of the worst grounds you could have for a play-off. I had no specific instruction from the. Opunake Club to state this at the union meeting, but when the allocation of ground was under discussion at the union meeting I felt justified in .placing the president’s remarks before the committee. The impression has evidently been gained that I thought Eltharn ground was the worst in the province, but in making the statement I had in view only the grounds under discussion at the time. New Plymouth, Inglewood. | Stratford and' Eltharn, and considered out of the four suggested for the play-off Eltharn was the most unsuitable from a playing, revenue and spectator’s point of view, and there are others on the Management Committee of the same opinion. I have no grouse for the Eltharn C-luh; in fact, have always admired the way, under adverse conditions, they have fulfilled their obligations in sticking to their competition engagements. I felt it only fair, in justice to the public and myself, to publish the true facts of the case in stating the reference to the ground did originate from Opunake Club through their president. Thanking von. —T am, etc.. '• A. E. NETLSON.