MANY MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATION

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26204, 30 August 1950, Page 6

MANY MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATION

HOCKEY ASSOCIATION’S GESTURE

When the management committee of the Canterbury Rugby Union last evening received congratulatory messages from ell over New Zealand and one from the British Isles team in Australia on its Ranfurly Shield, victory, the union decided to send congratulatory messages to other Canterbury sports bodies which have recently gained national honours* The union’s congratulations will go to the Canterbury Hockey Association on its winning the New Zealand Challenge Shield. the Canterbury Women’s Hockey Association on winning the K Cup, and the Canterbury Basketball Association on gaining the New Zealand Shield in ths first grade of the recent tournament.

The Canterbury Hockey Association, in conveying its congratulations, ssid that at the end of the New Zealand hockey tournament being played in Christchurch this week, it had been intended to play a match between New Zealand and The Rest next Saturday afternoon, but so that hockey players could see the Ranfurly Shield match against Wairarapa and Rugby players could- see the hockey it had been decided to play the match at 11 a.m. “It “is unfortunate from my association’s point of view that the shield football match is to be held on that date, as we had hoped to recover all of the £3OO to £4OO which has been entailed in running the tournament.” wrote the secretary (Mr W. A. Hadlee). “However, we are pleased to cooperate with you on this occasion, the first Ranfurly Shield challenge match for 15 years in Christchurch.”

I “A very nice gesture.” said the chairman (Mr R. R. Masters). _ “Your team thoroughly deserved its win and it was aopronriate that you should be the holders during your centennial year,” wrote Mr E. S. Wilson, secretary of the Otago Rugby Union. “We trust you will hold the shield for some time, and that we shall have the pleasure of playing you for it when we meet you next year.”