PRETTY GIRLS AND SPORT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12757, 29 September 1919, Page 6

PRETTY GIRLS AND SPORT.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l was much disgusted and annoyed at the unkind remarks made by “ Caustic” in (Saturday’s “Star.” Evidently he has some particular grievance against our hockey girls, or he would nut write so scathingly. Also, as applied to our visiting hockey players, his remarks are quite untrue, and his statement that he is, perhaps, a poor judge of femininity, is obviously correct. As to the question whether participation in outdoor sports spoils a girls looks, I cannot agree with what " Caustic” has to say. * My own opinion is that such games improve a girl’s charms and certainly do not make her less desirable in the eyes of men- After all the majority of men do like and admire girls who are good sports and toke a healthy part in vigorous outdoor recreations. And such girls make quite as good, if not better, housewives, than a good many others who spend all their time thinking about how tq keep their feet dainty, and by painting and powdering their , faces- Games should be played by girls if they wish to keep healthy and save their future husbands having to pay unnecessary doctors’" bills- It may be argued that some of the girls who take part in outdoor sports are comparatively plain, hub they would, be plain, whether they took part in sports or not. The great majority of girls who play hockey are really attractive girls, and have sufficient feminine charms to ensure them a jollygood time, with every prospect of happy marrieges to follow. “Caust’.c ” has hit off on the wrong trail this time; and in future should refrain from letting off his petty spite in such an ungrateful manner.—l am, etc., FAIRPLAY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —May I be allowed to question the taste of your correspondent “ Caustic ” in forwarding a disparaging criticism of the looks of gills who play outdoor sport, and in particular of those who play hockey, when wo have among us as guests a large number of hockey girls representing various New Zealand centres 'i “ Caustic,” by the way, seems a rather curious nom do plume for one who disavows any intention of being “unkind to our visitors,” but who has succumbed to an irresistibly temptation ‘ to say that hockey at any rate does not improve a girl’s looks-” What a multiplicity of irresistible temptations this wicked world must hold for poor “Caustic!” I am afraid that I cannot even agree with “Caustic” that feminine charms (of the better sort) ■are really deteriorated by healthy exercise in God’s own sunshine. Certainly the sun is no respecter of persons, and is most unmannerly in revealing paint, powder and general make-up. But, for -mo at least, the open-air girl lias an unquestionable attraction. Of course, all open-ait girls are not pretty. That equally applies to the other sort, I will go further, and admit that some open-air girls are decidedly unattractive, featurally. What I do intend to deny is that in more than a few exceptional cases they have been rendered unattractive by participation in outdoor sport. I personally know of quite a number of healthy, free-limbed, clearcomplexioned outdoor girds, before whom I am sure “Caustic’s” criticism would melt as the snow before the summer sun. Further, I assert' very definitely that there are many girls in this city who would gain decidedly in attractions if they could be induced to take up some form of outdoor sport. I hold no brief for hockey as a girf* game, although the tournament, which will probably conclude to-day, has proved a very pleasant oneLet “Caustic” study a little deeper and a little more widely, and let mm remember for his personal comfort that exterior beauty is only skin deep. I hope that he will then write to' you again, under the nom de plume of “Repentant.”—! am, etc., ■ SUNSHINE.