CORRESPONDNCE

Star (Christchurch), Issue 3553, 30 August 1879, Page 3

CORRESPONDNCE

DISGRACEFUL LAWLESSNESS. TO TUB BDITOB OV TIIB STAB. SlB, — A misapprehension oxists as to the substanoe of what I said at the last sitting •of the City Council on tho subject of popular --sports ; and I shall feel obliged by your allowing mo the opportunity of clearing tho matter up tv littlo. On Monday last a few interested poop'e prevailed on our obliging Mayor to aslc the citizens to closo their places of business for half a day. The request was partially complied with, and, in' the midst of a crisis when every pound is an object to tiny tradesmen, the businesj of tlio ■City was stopped, and the labour of fifty men , in the employ of tho Corporation sacrificed, just because fifteen Dunedin young men wished to play a game at football with as 'many athletes of Ohristohurch. In support -of a resolution, which was carried unanimously, I said, in addition to what was reported, that football and crickot wero all Tory well in themselves, and I should be sorry to place any obstruction in the way of the player?, but I could not see why those engaging ia suoh boyish games should bo luffered to intorfore with other people's interests in the mora serious businoss of life except on recognised public holidays. I Baid nothing ugainßt athletio sports when ■conducted within reasonable bounds, but I ' objeoted to the everlasting twaddle in the nowspapora that everywhere meets the ■eye or the reader as if a certain class of the community lived for no higher purpose than to kick a ball skilfully in order to the development of a few muscular "points." There h a medium in all 1 things, as well as a time for all things; and my opinion is, if our youths would strive to develop their brain power a little more and ' their calves a little leas, it would be more ' profitable for themselves and much more' , hopeful for the community. But, sir, what- ' «ver I may have said on tho subject, nothing , therein could justify the disgraceful lawlessness of more than a hundred men and youths (not boys) for a quarter of an hour at mid- , night last night, after an evening's revol, beeeiging my house with groans, yells, and ' corses that disturbed and alarmed the whole neighbourhood. It would appear as if human f teams" claimed the privilege of exemption: from law and order. Our own of Christohuroh, some time back, returning from AshbnrtOD, did more damage to a railway carriage than a year's ordinary wear and tear. And as to the~ character of somo visiting cricketers, j it is needless I should say a word. The recent oasa of lawlessness is in the hands of the authorities, and there I leave ib for the, present— l am, &c, B. OASS.