CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7060, 21 August 1894, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

It must bo distinctly understood that we in no way hold ourselves responsible for the views cxpreseod by our correspondents. Wo are always happy to insert letters upon subjeetß of general public interest —but the opinions expressed must in no ben6o be considered identical with our own. SELECTION OF THE POVERTY BAY REPRESENTATIVES. [To the Editou or tiik. Herald.] Sir, — The Selection Committee appointed to choose the representative team to play against Hawke's Bay next Saturday, made their final selection on Saturday evening. The result of their efforts, when made public, was the subject of much adverse criticism amongst footballers and football enthusiasts, nnd during the evening little groups were gathered together discussing the pros and cons of the different players. It was stated in Friday's issue of your paper that the committee were very dissatisfied at the form displayed in the previous trial matches, and of the tardiness of those selected in rolling up to practice, expressing a hope that all those chosen would put in au appearance before finally selecting the team. But what do we see ? Whj r , no less than four — Skeet, Maynard, Martin, and Bayley, absenting themselves from the Probable team, and in the final match too, when every man should have been in his place. The Selection Committee, to my mind, are a great deal to blame in this matter. They appear to have picked a certain number of players at the commencement, aud despite quite a number j of them being absent in most of the matches, have, Saturday after Saturday, kept their places open for them iv the teams, shutting J out several players of the first order. That's not the way to encourage players who attend every Saturday. In the first place there was Eaton, one of the fastest forwards in the Bay, and & grand follower up, shut out of both the A and B teams each Saturday, and only twice mentioned as emergency (third or fourth I think it was). However, he attended every Saturday and played, and for this reason alone should have been given a chance. To the majority of footballers Eaton should have been included in the rep. team in preference to McElwaine, and I am also of that opinion. The latter player's inclusion was a surprise, and if Katene (who is not even one of the emergencies) is not a far better player, I am not able to judge. Katene played a rattling game on Saturday, aud it was thought by all that he was certain to go in. Maynard, who has only played a couple of games this season, and who has not attended a single practice match, has been picked as one of our reps. He is dead out of form, and it is no wonder there was much disapproval expressed when his name was found to be included. It seems to me that you have only to be a player of repute to have your place kept snug for you. Then again, the half backs. Ryburn played in each of the trial matches, whilst Rees was absent in all but last Saturday's— although picked, yet, what do we see ? Why Ryburn shunted to the Possible team and Rees put in the Probables. I ask is this right ? When it Avas found that Rees was absent from the practice matches, he should have beeu placed in the Possible team, and then by his play shown his right to be put in the other team. Ryburn was not so good on Saturda}' as in previous matches, else he would have ousted Rees, as the latter's play was of a mediocre character, and not by any means up to rep. form. The better selection would have been Burns in the centre, Ryburn aud Murphy on the wings. I think I have said enough to show that the team hs3 not given satisfaction, and that the inclusion of Ryburn (half), Katene, and Eaton (forwards) iv the place of Rees, Mayuard, and McElwaine, would have given more satisfaction to footballers generally, and there would have beeu a better chauce of upholding the honor of the district.— l am, etc., Spectator.