The Gisborne Footballers in Napier.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 331, 30 July 1889, Page 3

The Gisborne Footballers in Napier.

That horrible name “ Poverty Bay ” has lately been put to a new use, and one that is anything but pleasant co Gisborne people, many letters having lately appeared in the Hawke’s Bay Herald, under the suggestive heading “ The * P.B.’ footballers.” The first letter complained that the visitors had acted in a very rowdy manner when they were leaving for home. They, it was said, got so bad that the Captain of the launch ran his vessel to a spot where she got tossed about so much that the footballers were soon in a state of prostration, holding sickly communion with the little fishes. Then follows correspondence in the order it is given below : —

Sir,—Captain Creagh might well cry “ Save me from my friends ” on reading ths peculiar epistle anent the Gisborne footballers in to-day’s Herald. The late launch on Saturday night was run especially for these visitors, in accordance with arrangement come to with the local Rugby Union, and I would be very sorry to think that Captain Creagh acted in the manner suggested by your correspondent. The visitors while in Napier proved themselves both on and off the football field thoroughly gentlemanly fellow s, and as one who accompanied them to the launch I can vouch for their good conduct. As the Ahuriri left they gave cheers for the local staff of the U.S.S. Company for their kindness in regard to steamer arrangements, but this was the only thing aprroaching a "disturbance” It may bo dreadfully wicked to cheer the U.S.B. officials, but it would hardly justify Captain Creagh in putting his boat broadside on to the seas and stopping the engines until every one was sick. There are enough drawbacks to the " port ” of Napier, without the liability to such experience being added h> the probability of describing wide circles around the big steamer before getting alongside, much like a poodle looking for his bed—a nautical evolution which once prompted the disgusted mate of a Union boat to call out ” Launch, ahoy! Anchor where you arc, and we’ll come alongside." As I have already said, I am sure that Captain Creagh, whose courtesy and unfailing good humor are so well known, would never intentionally add to the discomfort of our visitors and his temporary guests, I can only conclude that" some enemy hath done [this,” and that the genial skipper has been libelled.—l atn,&c., E.D.H. July 22. Sir,—Mr E.D.IL in his letter in today’s Herald acknowledges that he only saw the footballers off from the wharf. Therefore be knows as little about what took place as about the anecdote re the mate of the Union steamer telling the launch to anchor and that he would come alongside. Now, when a story or anecdote is worth telling it should be told correctly, and for tho edification of your readers I will give them the correct version. The Boojum, while the late Captain Setter was in charge, went to the Botomahana in daylight, and by some unaccountable circumstance did not succeed in getting alongside for nearly an hour. Captain Carey, who no doubt was tired at seeing the little Boojum make so many abortive attempts to get alongside, called out in (Continued on fourth page.)