CORRESPONDENCE.

Waipa Post, Volume IV, Issue 192, 28 February 1913, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

I Out correspondents opinions are their uivn; the responsibility of editorial items makes sufficient ballast for the editors shoul- ' ders. It is necessary that all letters for publication should bear the name of the writer—not necessarily fOl publication, but as evidence <•; of good faith.) TO THE EDITOR SIR. —Will you allow me, through the columns of your paper to ask for that spirit, of fair play which is essential to maintain and improve any branch of sport, whether designated amateur or otherwise. At a recent meeting of your newlyformed club I had the pleasure of attending as representative of ■ the New Zealand Athletic and

Cycling Union to give such information as the gentlemen required in the interest ' of creating a strong and healthy sports club. The meeting unanimously decided upon affiliating with the New Zealand Athletic . and Cycling Union-. That such a step must be a wise one is sufficiently justified when mention is made of the fact that your club is now one of some sixty affiliated clubs under the Auckland centre controlling cash runners throughout the whole of the Auckland province, which centre is only one of the many centres under an executive which is incorporated by Act of Parliament, and its decisions are binding, on all registered competitors, not only throughout New Zealand, but Australia, and its registered competitors must now total in New Zealand some 3000.

The proper and strict supervision •of this large army of athletics must reflect to the credit of the Union in its efforts to maintain clean sport, and for our efforts (through opposition to your club) to be disparaged by so-called sports in your district certainly does not justify the claim of a branch of sports whose members claim that they are the alpha and omega of everythingclean. The Union could, at any moment, if circumstances warrant the action, declare a cyclist from competing at any sports meetingamateur or unaffiliated club as the New Zealand League of Wheelmen is absorbed and incorporated with the New Zealand Athletic Union. Such drastic action has never yet been seriously considered, and that good feeling necessary to maintain all branches of sport in its best and purest aspect by reciprocity between the Union and recognised amateur controlling bodies should be taken as an object lesson by those misguided friends who have as yet to learn that fair play and a spirit of appreciation of that which is good (no matter from what fountain the water runs) is the only claim worth putting forth when the question of judging any other form of sport is attempted. Trusting the residents in your district will extend to your club the patronage necessary to ensure a success of the meeting, and pass judgment on the evidence as placed in front ol them by the committee in its day s sport. —I.am, etc., JNO. H. TRINNEAR, _ Late Secretary N.Z. Athletic • and Cycling Union, Auckland Centre. Te Kuiti.