A CHARGE AGAINST FOOTBALLERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6553, 2 August 1899, Page 3

A CHARGE AGAINST FOOTBALLERS.

• • A telegram from Dunedin says :— The- Rev L. M. Isitt, who is conducting a "no license " campaign, said that coming down in the train wion the Kaikorai and Wellington footballers, lie had witnessed a scene of drunkenness and blackguardism that was disgraceful. Four or five were unmistakably under the influence of drink at Studholme Junction. A DENIAL. A Dunedin telegram states that the Wellington footballers give an indignant denial to the Rev L. M. Isitt's statements as to drunkenness in the train so far as they themselves are concerned. Another telegram from Dunedin states that Messrs GaLbraith, Kelly and Coffey, representing the Wellington team, interviewed the Rev L. M. Isitt, as a- result of which the » latter absolved the Wellington team from the charges of drunkenness arid profanity, and promised to give the fullest publicity to the deputation's denial. A Wellington . telegram states that the Secretary of the Wellington Rugby Union has telegraphed to the manager of the Wellington team in Dunedin, drawing his attention to the. Rev L. M. Isitt's charges of drunkenness against the Wellington and Kaikorai teams, stating that he has abso-lute-confidence that they do not refer to the Wellington mtsnj . and -asking . him ..to 1 -, give them* a' deni&l..i- * . ■ . ; ■