HOCKEY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 107, 6 May 1913, Page 8

HOCKEY.

Saturday was practically an idle day at Keinue'ra, only three grounde being occupied, and the total numoer of playere could not have reached four ecore. The opening carnival, wiiich was postponed on account of '.he wet weather, w eet down for next Saturday, when it is hoped that the association will receive better treatment from .Jupiter Pluvius.

Someone hae blundered in marking out the ground in front of the new pavilion, as it is fully live yards too narrow on the side opposite the stand. The .association had the best intentions of making an early start this eeaGon. but once again hockey will be the lat>t of the winter games to commence championship .matches. Of course the members are not to blame for this state of affairs. First of all the weather upeet the initial arrangements, then the athletic carnival in connection with the. vieit of the warehip caused further delay. The latter, however, saved the officiate considerable anxiety, as another postponement would have been neceeeaTV. Several players have invested in ■sticks with handles patented by Mr R.J. Yatee, and are highly pleased with them. Mr J. R. C. Badham, at one time sole selector for the Auckland Hockey Ae6o-eia-«Lon, still takes a keen interest in Auckland hockey. iW-riting from India, he wishes the local eleven success on their next shield-hunting expedition, besides inquiring about the welfare of all hoekeyitee here.

Wellington's loee its Auckland's cam. Mr 11. V. Walton, the -well-known Wellington selector, has just arrived here, and is now a member of the Auckland Hockey Referees' Association. Local enthusiasts will be pleased to have him in their miriet. He will be a valuable acquisition to local hockey. Another loss that ie recorded in Wellington is the departure of Loader for Brisbane. Loader was, without a doubt, the finest left-winger that ever stepped on a Dominion hockey field.

The Auckland delegate to the New Zealand Hockey Association, Mr G. S. Cowper, was elected honorary eecretury to the governing body. Mr Cowper was at one time a member of the Auckland Club, and will he remembered as an inner right and n rather tough proposition. The Referees' Association ie leaving no sfcone unturned in the march of progress. The latest move ie to invite various members for ■s paper upon a. certain rule. Xothing will tend to a clearer understanding a-nd bring about a more universal ruling than th-ia method of dealing with the la-wn of the game. Mr Hay will lead the way with the offside rulp.

Three new members were elected to the ranks of the "All Whites" on Monday night, and several more probables arc mentioned.

The cable news received last week, intimating that the English Rules Board had adopted the 2s ew Zealand recommendation regarding the alteration to the bully, showers kudos upon the Dominion's hockey. The rule applies to the crowding at the bully, and the -alteration makes it necessary for all players to stand.not less than 3yds. from the hully. The New Zealand Referees.' Conference of 1909 included for continual breaches of this rule a pennlty of a free hit, but the advice to hand docs not state whether the penalty is included. Then follow many other recommendations that should be considered: —

Rule 3—That a point be tnarkcd'on th" goal-line 10yds. from each post. That a crose be marked in the middle of the halfway line in the field of play. Rule 4 —That the front of the goiil posts bo painted white, and the face of the goal posts be flush with the goalline.

Rule 6 (regarding the ball)— That this rule be strictly enforced. The Auckland Referees' Association has remained very firm upon this point, and there are several instances of where matches have ben delayed until the regulation ball lins been procured.

Rule 7—That the rule be etrictly enforced, paying particular care to metal fittings, splinters and sharp edges. Rule B—This rule be strictly enforced: That, in the interests of hockey, referees

use their best endeavours to suppress the amount of obstruction that takes place. The following common breaches were mentioned:—(a) Turning after obtaining possession of the ball; (b) obetructing with person when passing the iball; (c) interposing the person when the stick is not in possession. Rule 14—That when the referees consider that the result of under-cutting is dangerous, or that undue advantage i<3 given to striking side, then the penalty be enforced. This is a very difficult rule to deal with upon the majority of the Dominion grounds, owing to their bumpy nature. Xo rule requires a wider reading.

Rule 17 —The back of the hand must be parallel with the ground when the ball is rolled in. Although not' enforced as it should'be by many referees, it has been acknowledged locally as the only method to effect the corict roll.

That referees appoint lincismon. Th:s ie a most necessary privilege,, for the majority of men procured by teams have but a faint idea of the duties.

Rule 22—That this rule regarding misconduct be strictly enforced, and referees suppress continuous appealing. Refereee must report players ordered oil the field.

Rule 22—That when a player is hurt, the bully be taken where the ball was when the whistle was blown. r

Time-keepers must not communicate time i-o players.

Schoolboys' hockey, despite the opposition iue* with by many of the masters ■who can see nothing but liugby football, promises this eeaaon to bo hnuly <Mtal>liished. The competitions will be solely coiiliucd to boyis at school under lo years of .age—a much more satisfactory method of control than prevailed last year. In a clnt last Saturday with some of the pupils of Renniew oi-hoo'i, ihe boye showed keenness, and sougut for much information on the game. They indulged ill a very useful praclicr. despite the iidvereo woather condition" prevailing. Some six trams will enter ior championship competitions. The future of Auckland hockey wi.l greatly depend, upon the interest tnken •oy the boys, nnd old players can materially assist the younger generation in various waje. The expense caused by the purchase of slicks i> a barrier to many boys, but the diflu-ulty is readily overcome if the old giants o! the game will hand over their weapons of warfare to the secretary of the Association, Mr. Morton, who will see thi-y arc properly delivered. The boys are very proud of old players' sticks, and .speak with pride oi their "drivers" named after the donors.

There ir> every probability of Mt. Eden losing the services of Kay Gow at au early date.

R. H. Turton has decided to again assist Ponson-by. Another position far King, of. University, to keep a. watchful eve on him.

"Local players will regret to learn that Messrs. W. Organ and 11. V. Walton, two of Wellington's most prominent hockcyites, will not take an active part in the game this season. Their decision is to be regretted, for gentlemen of their type can ill be spared. They were the backbone of the Empire City's hot-key, and both have occupied the thankless post of sole selector. Mr. Organ captained the Wellington team that captured the Shield from our representatives, but it is pleasing to note he will be handy when our Shield hunters go in quest of the trophy this year. Dick Mason has settled permanently in Dargaville. Harold Mather is also in the district, "and as there are several enthusiasts in the northern township, these two giants of the winter stick game can be looked to for welding a team together—one that will have designs upon the Xordcn Cup. •

The University players. Gouling' and Rennie, profited considerably as the result of practice List Saturday. The indulgence in the scoop stroke from a free hit was their weakness, the lastnamed player's efforts boing caused through listening ti> the advice of the opposing team. FaftWPtt. of University, received a nasty blow in the mouth with the ball that shifted his teeth, and he wisely retired fov the afternoon.

Numerous improvements have been carried out at Remuera, and while the painters are at work upon the dressing sheds, it would be advisable, in order to complete the picture, to paint the goal posts. The decision to place wire nets upon the posts is a good one. They will be found most serviceable so long as not tampered with, rltd players refrain during the excitemetfc of goal scoring of indulging in acrobatic acts. No item is more anxiously awaited than the allocation of the shield matches.

For the past two years Auckland has had to play second string to Canterbury, and their decision now will serve to prove how consistent the New Zealand Hockey Association is in its views upon all associations having a turn with the trophy. Auckland holds stronger claims than any other association in the Dominion to the first match, but it will not •come as any surprise if Auckland's claims are not substantiated.

Many inquiries are being made as to the whereabouts of the Norden Cup! This trophy is held by Wairarapa. and it is on the cards that local enthusiasts may witness this team in action during the coming season, as a. visit to Auckland is contemplated. One. match has been played between the two associations, that against the Auckland touring team of 1906, and resulted in a draw. The match goes down in history as fflie greatest whistling fantasia of the Dominion's hockey, even eclipsing " Manawatu " warden's efforts of 11)00. That referee was reported to have joined a tin jrmusilactte' aajfi.bycnthdwtr yefxid touring musical company. The Norden Cup record reads.: — Jnnc 12—Wairarapn 3. v. Manawatu 2. .1. H. Gray, referee. Played at Palmerston North. July 11—Wairarapa 5. v. Poverty FSav 0. Posson and Gray. Played at Pnlmerston North. August B—Wairarapaß—Wairarapa 5. v. TaranaUi 0. Praynell and Fisher. Played at Masterton.

August 15—Wairarapn 5. v. Horowhenna. Praynell and Gray, referees. Played at Masterton. September 12— Wairarapa 3, v. Bnlle- 0 Praynell and Gray, referees. Played at Masterton.