South Canterbury Times. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1889.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5015, 24 May 1889, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. FRIDAY, MAY 24, 1889.

A young man was killed a short time ago in a game of football at Blackheath

near London, and at the inquest some strong remarks were made against the game on account of Jits danger. The Field devoted an article to the defence of football, and made out a good case. It admits that the game, whether it be played under Rugby Union or Association rules, possesses its element of danger ; but the good effects its practice has on the health and physique of the youth of our towns more than compensate for the injuries it causes to a few . Doctors and schoolmasters might do much towards stopping the game if they would, yet, whilst accidents occur in school matches just as they do in others, in many public schools football is more or less compulsory. This would certainly not be the case unless the headmaster and medical attendant both saw its advantages as a health giving pastime. Then its excellent moral effect is pointed out. It teaches, better than any other game, the necessity of making up the mind at once when in a difficulty, and of seizing an opportun ; ty without hesitation, and, what is almost equally useful, how to endure pain with an equal mind. Most of the accidents are attributable to want of skill, says the Field. As a rule, it is the inexperienced and unskilful player that receives or causes a hurt. Such men naturally do not get the chance of taking part in important matches, and it is their rude attempts to make brute force take the place of skill, that cause injury to themselves or others. Yory strong evidence is afforded by the career of those players who went out to Australia last year. The end of their long season saw them still as well and as strong as when they arrived in the Antipodes, with one sad exception, that of the poor fellow vtho went out sculling and was drowned. The team of New Zealand players now in England have for more than a couple of months played two or three matches a week, but no bad accident has occurred to any of them ; and surely their games are worth being called important.” It is in the scrimmages and charges where most damage is done, and the heavy man should use as much caution as if he were on thin ice, and not abuse his strength. At Home referees have been given power to order rough players oil the ground, and if this law is judiciously and impartially enforced, the roughness charged against the game should disappear.