A Wairarapa Grievance.

NZ Truth, Issue 148, 18 April 1908, Page 3

A Wairarapa Grievance.

Dear Pakeha.^-Noticing by your nanpr "Truth," that the N.Z. Union had ilcussed my application for Wrigley's reinstatement, and that, among other statements, Mr Hyams said that Wrigley had had a taste of the new cake, and now would like to have some more of the old. Might I point out this fact that the said Wrigley has not intimated by word or deed, that he wished to play amateur football again ; it was my ' club, at my suggestion, who decided to make application for his reinstatement. We thought there may have been a chance that the N.Z. Union would have granted same, they have done worse things. As a constant reader of your paper, and I think right through my' football career I have not enjoyed reading football ctiticisms so much as I have since your paper had the good fortune to be so widely distributed m the Wairarapa. I know our boys also are all readers of ''Truth." Now, Sir, I wish to point out that, m 1887, the Wellington junior reps, visited Masterton and played Wai* rarapa. I was a member of that team,; Mr J. Hyams was manager. Who paid his expenses ? I venture to say that he did not do it for love ? His cake was of both kinds— new and old. I am informed by the secretary of the N.Z. Union that I must apply through the local Union for reinstatement of Wrigley ? What a. chance I have rot ! I am sure they would not "ivc it a hearing. I am, of course,, going 1o try, and am simply waiting for their rcxt meet- ' ing to put m my applicatiqn. Now, Sir, I have a complaint to mate about

I our own Union, just to give you an i idea of how they treat bur club, and 1 -which is very similar to the .treatment ; the Wellington Rugby Union and press have treated the Melrose F.C. Now , .your paper is on the scene things are different, and Melrose boys get a hearing i io "Truth.'' . ;. i Last season (towards the end) -when i the championship was practically won by Carterton. we were to play Carterton. at ■ Carterton. Our men were all ready m Masterton to take the drag. It was . pouring with rain, and we waited, hopi ing it would clear. It simply poured until half-past two o'clock, and then it did not leave off entirely, a steady rain set m. and we decided to save drag fare £1 10s, and wire Carterton too wet to come, which was done. The rules say that any team forfeiting a game will.be fined £1 Is (This, I may say, was moved by Wrigley at a meeting of the management committee or rules committee.) We were promptly fined £1 10s. I then wrote the Union showing them how impossible it was for the team to come. to Carterton, and that I had notified by telegram. I a i so stated that the circumstances were exceptional. They would not listen, although our delegates at last meeting battled hard to ,get the fine remitted. The answer was : Wrigley moved to have that rule put in 'the book. Sir, I- ask, what the deuce <did it matter who moved that that rule be added. We have td pay the fine before we arc allowed to play m championship matches. Is this a fair thing to our club ? I would be glad if you would give this Union a shake up, as although we- are stronger m players m Masterton we are weaker m delegates, as Martin- ! .borough. Greytown, and Carterton outnumber us. and completely run, football m the Wairarapa. It makes one feel inclined to run a few dummy clubs m order to get delegates at the Union meetings to support us and give us at least a bit of justice.— l am, etc., P. G. HOAR, Hon. Sec. Red Star F.C, „ . . Masterton.