Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1898.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXII, Issue 174, 2 August 1898, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, AUGUST 2, 1898.

IT ia to be deeply deplored that the visit of the Canterbury football team to Nelson should have been a'» tended by unpleasantness in the field; and that tho charge of inho?j.itality can bo laid against Nelson because certain irresponsible persons—some of -whom probably did not even pay for admission to tho ground — chose to constitute them- ] splves " barrackers " for the loca representatives. Tho visitors have left the city with four of their number more or less injured, and while they were playing they were subjected to the unpleasant process of being " barracked,' even hooted, by a number of people who had absolutely nothing to do with the roanag ment of the game. It is aho alleged that, in addition to rough play, indulged in by both sides, there was actually something very much like a fight between two of thf player? — one a vißitor and the other a local man — the result being that the visitor was carried off the field almost insensible from a blow on the side of the f»ce. The weekly exhibition by " barrackors " in the football field may be tolerated when only local teams are playing ; but surely some check should be applied when footballers from other provinces visit the cityIt is also obviously in th 9 interests of the game, and (till more in the

interests of the city ita-lf, that when visitors are induced to come here they should bs treated with the utmost courtesy and forbearance, even if some of hem happen to do that which i< not altoge:her right. If any disgrace or stigma is to attach to a gamo of football, it shonld not be the loc:l mon' whj might be considered to blame. The whole of tha incidents of yesterday's match ought to closoly investigated by the Kugby Union, and a repetition of the unpleasantness should be rendered next to impossible. It may seem to the players implicated, or to thoaj who take an especial interest in footbal, that disagreement or quarrelling in the field is of no concern to the general public. But the fooner this notion is dispelled the better. The public support tho game by their sub criptions and their presence ; a public recreation ground is granted for use, and the people consent to be exclude 1 from the ground unless they pay for admission ; and the locul press devotes much of its space, absolutely free of cost, to the announcements and reports of matches All this is done to encourngo and' stimulate a healthy outdoor sport, and hence the pub ie havh tho right to expect that matches shall ba pUyed decently and in orddr, and that when visitors como to the city they shall not leave with the unpleasant impression that they have been badly or inhospitably treated. Till the circumstances of yesterday's display are investi* gated comments must ba limited to the main facts — that there was extremely rough play, during which four of the visitors were hurt ; tint there was something very like a fight, in which a visitor w.is " knocked silly ;" that the " barracker " was not kept in check, and thus gave a miserable exhibition of provincialism ; that the visitors, because of these " birrackers," (admittedly irresponsible persons,) and becanse of unpleasantness during pay, have probably left tha city never to return, taking away with them unfriendly recollections of Nelson and Neisonians. They may themselves be to b'ame for much of the trouble ; but it is neces a p y to institute close inquiry in order that the whole m.tter may be cleared up. No one expects a football match to resemble a ."■ unday-school picnic for? gentleness and decorum, and the ordinary give and take of rougli play cannot be objected to except: by tbe squeamish. But roughness in the field bordering on brutality is the besetting tin of the Rugby gam ■, and Unions elsewhere are doing their best to stop the practices which, bring the sport into discredit Tho inherent British hardihood and endurance of our yonth make light of a few bruises and knock* during a match ; but the infliction of more or lesa serious injuries is becoming too frequent, and it is apparent tha some players cannot keep their temper. These persons must ba tanght that unless they can control themselves they will not be allowed to play, and it may ba advisable for the kelson Union to follow the practice of Unions el.-ewhere and snspend offenders rigorously. Hap-, pily, such an unpleaßant exhibition as that of yesterday is rare in Neleon ; but it is all the more notice* nble because of that rarity, and hencs it U an innovation which shonld be stopped at once. The football soason ia now drawing to a close, and it is hoped that during the recess those who have authoriy in local football, affairs will arrange to so strictly carry out the rules as to render a repetition of ye-terday's episode improbable if not impossible.