HOCKEY TOUR.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18917, 4 February 1927, Page 10

HOCKEY TOUR.

TEAM TO VISIT AUSTRALIA. MATCHES IN FOUR STATES. New Zealand representative hockey players will again liavo opportunities for testing their prowess against players of another country in the coming season, tho New Zealand Association having decided last evening to accept an invitation for a tour which will embrace four Australian States.

Tlio Australian Hockey Association, Brisbane, wrote extending to the Association u cordial invitation to bend a representative team to tour Australia during tho coming season. In anticipation of acceptance, and purely us a preliminary intimation of dateti, the Association asked for advice regarding tho following programme:—August 13th, N.Z. v. N.B.W. at Sydney; August 17th, v. Goulburn at Goulburn; August 20th, v. Queensland at Brisbane; August 24th, match to bo arranged, possibly against South Australia or combined States; August 27th, v. Australia at Brisbane; September 3rd, v. Victoria nt Melbourne; September 10th, v. South Australia at Adelaide. The invitation stated that one week later than these dates would probably suit tho Australian Association better. Tho dates, however, were purely tentative, and the arrangements for the touring of the different Slates would bo guided largely by New Zealand's desires.

The chairman, Mr H. J. S. Goodman, said a team could he sent.

Mr R. Orncio moved that the invitation bo accepted. subject to tho financial arrangements being the sarno as on the previous tour in 1923, tho Australian Association to bo responsible for all expenses in Australia from the dale of arrival to date of departure. The motion was seconded by Mr 11. Throp and carried. The chairman said it was too early to deal with the itinerary.

"\V> should cut out South Australia," said the secretory (Mr W. 11. Down). "Our players would not bo able to get. the necessary leave, and there is a doubt about the visit there beitiK a success." Other members said they should not favour cutting out South Australia at once, and Mr Grade Raid perhaps it would be better to let South Australia build up on inter-State visits.

The secretnry was instructed to write advising the acceptance of the invitation, and intimating that August would be the most suitable month for the visit: also to inform affiliated Associations.