FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 766, 5 November 1886, Page 14

FOOTBALL.

Mr Davy, > Secretary of the Wellington Rugby Football Union, has forwarded the following letter to the Secretary of the Auckland Union:—“Wellington, 27th October. Sir, —In reply to your letters of 24th August and 16th September last, I am directed by my Committee to inform you that they distinctly decline to accept the position which the Auckland Union endeavors to thrust upon them, viz., that of responsibility and blame for the statements with reference to the late Auckland v. Wellington match which appeared in the ‘New Zealand Times on the return of our representatives. Had such-statements emanated from, or been authorised by, the Wellington Union, we could understand the position your Union has taken up in the matter, but as it is, my Committee consider that the Wellington Union is no more responsible for the articles complained of than, we presume, the Auckland Union is for the scurrilous and utterly untruthful comments on the disputes which have unfortunately arisen over both the last and the {previous match between our respective representatives, which have appeared in a certain section of the Auckland press. My Committee, having already conveyed to you their regret that the alleged grievances of the Wellington representatives should have found expressions in the public press, feel that they have done all that is fairly required of them, and cannot therefore enter into any explanation or discussion of the various charges brought by you in your letters above quoted against the Wellington representatives. lam further directed to add that, in view of the misunderstanding which has arisen between our respective Unions, my Committee cannot accept the bonus agreed upon, and I therefore beg to return the cheque for £2O forwarded by you. My Committee regrets that a proposal which was promulgated with a view of settling this unfortunate business should have been received in so hostile a spirit by your Union. In conclusion, I may inform you that a reply has been received from the captain of the Poneke Football Club in which he strongly protests against the imputation that the Poneke Club was responsible for the hanging in effigy of Mr Cotter, a proceeding which he avers was the act solely of outsiders. I need hardly say that the Wellington Union and Wellington footballers were alike indignant that so disgraceful an affair should have occurred in this city, as tending to implicate them in an act which they strongly condemned. I must apologise for the delay which has occurred in answering your letters, but from various causes I have found it impossible to secure a quorum of the W.R.F.U, until quite recently.—l am, &c. t E. Davy, Hon Sec, W.R.F.U.”