DISGRACING FOOTBALL.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 3168, 8 July 1892, Page 2

DISGRACING FOOTBALL.

A three-quarter column letter appears in the Taranaki Herald under the heading 11 Disgraceful conduct at Matches." The writer says he was a visitor to New Plymouth, but an enthusiastic supporter of football, so that wherever he went he always did his little to help on the " good old game." He then relates the eights, and the sounds which assailed his ears, and nays:— "l have always been accustomed to see in other parts of the colony numbers of the fair sex amongst the onlookers on the football field ; but as I was approaohing the crowd, I looked in vain for the ladies (you know I like to be where ladies are), and I wondered why they were absent. I soon discovered a reason. I passed by some boys imitating their elders. They were playing football, and were entering into the game with all the zeal found in youth ; but the language that fell from the lips of the players was beyond description. Every other word was an oath. My blood ran cold to hear j the Way in wbioh these players, mere | boys, took God'B name in vain. How I wished tbeir mothers had heard them. But, dear Sir, to make matters worse, wben I oame up to the " Star— Two Coppers Company " I was horrified to hear nob only some of the playere but many of the onlookers cursing and swearing at one another. On ', another oooassion I was glad to bear another person tell one of the oro.wd.not to defile his lips. Can nothing be'-flone,: Sir, to alter this state of affaire ? Where were the captains, umpires, and referee ? Why did they not do their duty and have ordered off the field those who broke |the rules of pommon-deeenoy ? Footballers, and all those who wish the game well, if you want decent, honest, folks to help you in yonr gamo.by their presence, you must count ten before you speak.'"' Don't let anger take hold of your better. part."

Another item is from a "Wellingtdu exchange, and relates that v for once the Petone " Barraokers " have -been vanquished upon tbeir own ground. The match was the Wellington College Athletic heat for the Junior Cup.' •"• Iq the absence of a Petone team, the Petone • barraokers ' took sides with the Athletics, and shouted and' howled encouragement to them most desperately. A contingent of some 30 or 40 of tfie College boys, • however, were on the Bcene, and rising in opposition, cheered on the representatives of the institution to which they belonged. Their ehrilf treble rose high above the hoarser shouts of the Petone men, and although the College did not pall off the matob, it was not from want of encouragement."