THE HOCKEY GIRL.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1222, 2 September 1911, Page 10

THE HOCKEY GIRL.

HIGH CARNIVAL TO-DAY.

(By Sylvius.)

From all points of tho compass the hockey girl lias invaded Wellington. Teams arrived by train and steamer yesterday, eacli member until "sticks" which had their origin in Donnybrook or Ballyhooley, and each wearing short skirts and a look of great determination. They como to participate, in the big tournament, which is to commence at Day's Bay today, and will rage throughout the length of the coming week. To the hockey girl the occasion is of even greater importance than tho New Zealand Cup is to followers of the turf, and the excitement and volubility of,talk it creates cannot be exceeded. To tho lay individual tho language is almost foreign. Thcro was a swarm of visiting girls practising on tho Basin Reserve yesterday afternoon, and the jargon of this the most strenuous game which our girls have taken up floated pleasantly (if somewhat incomprehensibly) on the golden air of a perfect spring day. _ "Nellie can dribble all right," said one fluffy-haired player, "but when she hits out gho always makes 'sticks.' . . . Look at that lanky girl, can't she streak? Wow! she's missed it! . . That one, she's the 'bully' of the Nelson team—rt fast lot, too! . . . Oh, I- say, girlsit's too hot for hockey, give me a shady tree and a long lemon squash. •. . . Did reach her—l gave her a fearful whack on the leg, but she's a little sport— apologised for being on tho wrong side of (lie ball. . . • That one, with the hair, she's their inside-right—a hummer, too. . . . Hopo it won't bo rough on the harbour to-morrow—lf it is, I'm sure to bo sick—l can't stand tho smell of a boat. . . . I don't like that sort, of handle; this is mine. It's got a fino grip, and I don't feel it a bit when I hit. . . . I'm on tho wing to-morrow—hope tho ground will be all, right. . . . That's tiio Napier team—pretty hot lot tL'ey arc—tako some beating, I promise you. . . They are a lino spruce, healthy lot, theso maids of tho stick. They stride easily, breatho deeply, and are jolly and high-spirited. Health shows 011 their glowing cheeks, and smiles out of their sparkling eyes'. Tho gamo of which they maki, almost a fetich may not conduce to the development of the nicer maidenly graces, but it provides a vigorous form of oxerciso in tho open air of a kind that sort of substitutes. It helps to develop tho flaccid muscles IQiat would otherwise be neglected, makes tho gcod red blood rush round merrily, and is a fine test of athletic endurance and mentnl alertness —always providing that it is not overdone. To find the playing grounds at tho Day this afternoon, listen for the shrieks.