WELLINGTON HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 152, 24 March 1938, Page 2

WELLINGTON HOCKEY ASSOCIATION

Chairman Speaks Of Lack Of Support By Clubs Strong dissatisfaction with the support given by clubs was expressed by Mr, C. P. McKenzie, chairman, at the annual meeting of the Wellington Hockey Association last night. Two matters were outstanding in this respect. During the season the association had conducted a raffle to defray touring expenses, and this had realised only a few pounds. The other point was the lack of support in matters concerning publicity. Apart from these things, he said, he was well pleased with the report. The question of ground allocations for the association was discussed, but the association had been advised by the Wellington City Corporation that no allocations could be announced till April 13, when a council meeting would be held. The Island Bay delegate mentioned that a ground at Island Buy would be a great help to his club. Au assurance that all that could be done in this matter would be attended to by the committee was given by the chairman. Indian Team's Visit. In a discussion concerning the proposed visit of the Indian team, (Mr. 8. B. Browne suggested that older men should be on the special committee to. arrange for the Indians’ match against ■Wellington. He said that he was not doubting the ability of the younger men, but that older men would have better opportunity of arousing public interest. He suggested that Wellington apply for a Saturday match. Commenting on the early dates tor the tour, Mr. Browne, a delegate tp the New Zealand association, said that the tour had been arranged for early in the season, so that there would be no clash of interest between the Indian tour and the tour of the English women's team later in the J The special committee to deal with the Indian game against Wellington will comprise four life members of the association, and five executive members. The life members, nominated by the meeting, were Messrs. W. G. Morpeth, L. 8. P. Butcher, and J. L. McAlister. The fact that the organiser and captain of the Indian team, the Nawab of Manavadar, will be travelling and staying in special suites, with his. attendants, during the tour, was the subject of comment. It was thought that the extra expenditure involved would be a material consideration in arranging the financing of the tour.

Interpretation of Rules. The different interpretation of the obstruction rule in various parts of New Zealand and its effect on the control of interprovincial matches was also discussed. A case in point was mentioned by Mr. McKenzie, who voiced dissatisfaction with the umpiring of the Welling-ton-Auckland games of 1936 and 1937, Mr. McKenzie said that in the latter game Auckland players committed such flagrant breaches of the rules, according to current Wellington rulings, that they would have been ordered off the field. There was considerable discussion concerning the advisability of writing, to the New Zealand - association suggesting an adjustment of the rules in. regard to the selection of umpires for interprovincial games, but no decision was reached. “The Aucklanders in the New Zealand team that toured Australia played exceptionally hard hockey,” said Mr. M. G. Browne, who toured with the team. “They do not realise that they are infringing the. rules as we in "Wellington interpret them.” . “It seems to bo merely a matter ot difference in interpretation, and little will be achieved by referring to the system of selection of umpires, said Mr e. L, Newcombe, a member of the executive* Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, 'Mr. W. x, Richards; vice-presidents, Messrs. 1. Martin Luckie, R. Hardie Boyf ’ W. A. Scott; delegates to New Zealand Hockey Association, Messrs. G. Strack, S. b. Browne; secretary. Mr. I. J- Mackersey, treasurer, Mr. J. W. Pethenck; auditor, Mr. C. W. Miller: executive, Messrs O. K. Perrin, W. IVahren, A. JL Macfailane, R. J. Brown, C. 1? tNlalvenzie, . J. Newport, L. Muir, F. L. ?sewcombe, and J. Goldstone.