HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXI, Issue 10922, 23 September 1932, Page 3

HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

First Annual Dinner SUCCESSFUL AM) ENJOYABLE FUNCTION, There was a very large attendance at the Tauranga Hockey Association’s first annual dinner, which was held in the Bell Tea Rooms last night, the assemblage including members of all the ladies’ and men’s clubs and numerous supportters of the game, as well as visitors from Te Puke. It was a. happy idea which came to the minds of members of the Social Committee to hold the function, which was the most successful and enjoyable of the kind that has been held here for many years. Mr Arthur Stewart, the President of the Association, presided, and read apologies for absence from Miss Cramer Roberts (captain of the ladies’ representative team), and Messrs W. S. Harris, Fergus Boyd, W. H. Gifford, F. C. Warner, L. W. Hammond, K. Cannell, R. R. Randle and Kent (Auckland). After the loyal toast was honoured, the Chairman welcomed the assemblage. He said it was very pleasing to the Committee to see so many players- and friends of the hockey sport present, and it was especially pleasing to have the representatives of the Te Puke Club with them.

Mr Bamberry proposed the toast of “Kindred Associations,” and referred to the capable way in which many clubs controlled the various sports in Tauranga. He extended best wishes to the Tauranga Rugby Union, and pointed out that the footballers used the same grounds as the hockey players. The relations of the Hockey Association with the Rugby Union had been very cordial and most profitable to all concerned, and he hoped that those pleasant associations would continue. The toast was coupled with the name of Mr G. S. Butler, President of the Rugby Union. Mr Butler, in making acknowledgment, said practically every outdoor sport was well catered for in Tauranga. In several branches of sport they had New Zealand champions. The Rugby Union and the Hockey Association used the same grounds and had worked very amicably and he heartily reciprocated the sentiments voiced by Mr Bamberry. The toast of “Visiting Clubs” was proposed by Mr B. K. Gifford, who mentioned that the matches with the outside clubs had proved a material factor in promoting the efficiency of the players. The Tauranga Association’s representatives had put up a very creditable record this season in winning the Kusahs Shield and the Ellison Cup from Whakatane. The toast was coupled with the names of Miss Tanner and Mr F. Chapman. Mr F. Chapman, Captain of the Te Puke representative team, in replying, said he was glad to have the honour of representing the Te Puke Club at the function that evening. He congratulated the Tauranga representatives on their achievements during the season. The Te Puke players were always delighted to meet those of Tauranga. The hockey game was progressing in Te Puke and they hoped to have four teams in the competitions next season and to give the Tauranga players some keen contests for the trophies that were recently won. Miss Lena Tanner, Captain of the Te Puke ladies’ team, referred to the cordial relationships which always existed between the Tauranga and Te Puke players, and to the keen sporting games which resulted when they met. The President directed attention to the splendid collection of trophies which were displayed that evening, and said the new ladies’ team this year had been responsible for a good performance and had won all four trophies. Ho then presented to Mrs Bowyer, the captain of the Old Girls team, the Harris, Randle, Merryweather and Jordan Cups. The President gave the history associated with each trophy and MrsJ Bowyer replied in appropriate terms. The President,- in the course of his remarks, expressed the hope that the schoolboys would be represented in the hockey competitions next year. He then presented the following trophies which were won by the various men’s teams: Innes, Press, and Kent' Cups to Mr H. Gamble, captain of the True Blues, and the Butler Cup, to Mr W. Teasey, captain of the Rovers. The history of the various competitions was given by the President, and suitable replies were made by Messrs Teasey and Cambie, who referred to the interesting games which had taken place in the competitions for the various cups.

The Chairman referred to the outstanding achievements of the men's representatives in winning the Kusabs Shield and the Ellison Cup, which had been won in competition with Bay of Plenty teams. These two trophies were displayed in the room.

The toast of “The Donors of Trophies” was proposed by Mr C. F. J. Biggs, who made appreciative reference to the generosity of the donors of the .handsome trophies. that were on view that evening. He said the trophies promoted competition and helped the players in reaching the standard of play which enabled them to lift the Kusahs Shield and the Ellison Cup. He would have liked to have seen a team take part in the Country Week competition in Auckland. The toast was coupled with the name of Mr J. A. Jordan. The President mentioned that Mr L. Norris had made a donation of a set of buttons, which had been responsible for many good games and were much prized by the winners. Mr J. A. Jordan replied on behalf of the donors of trophies. He said it always afforded him great pleasure to help the hockey sport. He congratulated the Association and the players on the excellent gathering that evening, and it was the best function of the kind that lie had attended in Tauranga. He complimented the representatives on winning the Kusahs Shield and the Ellison Cup and said the victories were achieved as the result of unity and close attention to training. The toast of “The Hockey Association” was proposed by Sir L. Norris, who referred to the leading part taken by the Association some years ago in promoting a Queen Carnival and raising a sum of £9OO or

£IOOO for the improvement of the northern portion of the domoin. It

was pleasing to note the co-opera-tion which existed to-day between the Rugby Union and the Hockey Association, and a great deal of the credit for that good feeling was due to Mr Arthur Stewart, who had rendered splendid services for many years as Secretary and then as President.

Mr Arthur Stewart, in responding, stated that the support of the players was essential if the Hockey Association were to foster the game and raise the standard of the play. The co-operation was very evident and he trusted it would be always there.

Mr W. Teasey proposed the toast of “The Referees’ Association,” and said the sport was fortunate in having very competent referees in Tauranga

i Mr L. Green, in responding for the referees, said the hockey games in Tauranga were played in an excellent sporting spirit. Mr B. K. Gifford also spoke and endorsed the remarks of Mr Green. The health of “The Selectors and the Representative Teams” was proposed by Mr J. A. Jordan, who congratulated Mr R. Bamberry and his colleagues in placing the best eleven in the field on all occasions. The town was proud of the victories this season by the representative teams. Mr Bamberry, in responding for the referees, said the task of the referees during the season had been very pleasing to Messrs Green, Gifford and himself. Mrs Jones, the sole selector of the ladies’ teams, had a somewhat difficult task and had carried It out in an excellent manner, and her confidence had not been misplaced. Mr H. Cambie, In replying for the representative team, stressed the importance of retaining the trophies that had been won season. He referred to the aid given by Mr Bamberry in coaching the/team and his help was a material factor in winning the Shield and the Cup.

The toast of “The Entertainers” was proposed by Mr C. Randle, who thanked the entertainers for the excellent entertainment that had been provided. Messrs Coleman and Mac Donnell suitably replied. The toast of the Press was proposed by Mr H. Neno, and replied to by Mr J. Gain. The health of the President and the Chairman was proposed by Mr A. M. Poole, who paid a tribute to the wonderful work accomplished by Mr Arthur Stewart in promoting the interests of the game, and said his aim was to promote concord and unanimity among all the clubs. The President, in replying, said it had been a pleasure to work in promoting the hockey sport. He made appreciative reference to the advice given to the Association by Mr H. P. Butts, and also the splendid help given by Mrs R. Foster as chaperone of the ladies’ teams. They had to thank Mrs Smith for the excellent repast that was pt’Ovided and he wished to convey to Mrs Smith and her assistants the appreciation of the Association. (Applause). The function that evening was the first of the kind that had been arranged by the Association and he would say that as far as he was concerned it would be made an annual event. He desired to thank the committee, especially Messrs H. Cambie, H. Neno and F. Milne, for their work in arranging and carrying through the social functions during the year. He hoped that the Association would be represented at the Country Week competitions In Auckland. He regretted that Mr G. S. Butler, a former President, would be leaving Tauranga, ami the Hockey Association and all other sporting organisations would miss him. He extended to Mr and Mrs Butler best wishes for good health and a full measure of prosperity in the future. —(Applause).

During the evening songs weie contributed by Miss Alexander, Miss Davoren, and Messrs Coleman am Mac Donnell. Miss V. For'd and Mr F Davis gave recitations, and Mi C. Stuart saxophone solos. The accompaniraentsi were played by Mi Drayton Venables and Mr Coleman. All the items were heartily applauded Community singing was led by Mr Coleman.' the function closing at eleven o’clock with the singing of Auld Lang Syne and the NaH tional Anthem.