HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 259, 25 July 1908, Page 9

HOCKEY.

[By Driver.) Owing to the steady downpour of rain on Saturday last, all hockey fixtures wero postponed. Tho United-Karori match is to tako place this afternoon, and a most interesting contest should ensue. On tho subject of tho Canterbury challenge match, tho "New Zealand Serald" has tho followingE. Hulbert, tho captain of the Canterbury, representative team which sustained defeat by tho -Auckland representatives oil Saturday week, has stated to a Dominion reporter that "tho final goal at tho Auckland match, which decided tho game, was shot from outsido tho circle." Aucldanders no doubt will receive this statement with astonishment, as both their goals wero fairly obtained, and if their shooting had been up to tho mark would have won by a much larger margin. It is a well-known fact that tho visitors wero very sore at being defeated by so-young-an association, and some of their remarks regarding the referoeing at the conclusion of the-game were far from complimentary. It might bo stated that Shirriffs, tho local captain, allowed Canterbury to chooso their own umpire, and, as'they woro so satisfied with Mr>. Robertson's' rulings at New .Plymouth, which match, by the way, resulted- in tho defeat of Ta'ranaki, they telegraphed to that gentleman, asking him if ho would-officiate, a'request which, he acceded to.

Already much interest is being evinced in the Manawatu, v. Auckland match, which will tako placo at Remuera-on August 1, and it is expected that last year's attendance of 2000 will be easily exceeded if tho weathei be.-fine. A Manawatu team visited Auckland last year, and. after a groat fight wore defeated-by six goals to "three. The losers gave a splendid exhibition of tho gamo,- and as they will bo represented on August 1 by -a still stronger team a keen Struggle is anticipated.'- . •

The Canterbury-Taranaki match, which was played under most unfavourable weather conditions, resulted in.a loss of £6 to tho latter association.

At tho dinner tendered to tho visiting Canterbury ;■ team by tho Auckland . association j Mr. Dj/Manson, manager-'for tho visitors, and who is also president of tho New Zealand Association, mentioned that tho parent body had .invited tho English. Association to send a team ■ out to Now Zealand next season. , : The ..irony- of it. A New Zealand-firm of booksellers have received tho following letter from a lady residing in to country"Dear Sirs,—'Would you .kindly-forward mo a copy of ; the-rules of hockey, also 'First Aid :to tho Injured,' as wo propose starting tho game in our district?" -