Hockey.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 136, 9 June 1906, Page 14

Hockey.

[By Bttlgek.]

On Saturday last at least one of the games at Day's Bay was finished in semi- , darkness, owing to the fact that on one or two occasions the game was stopped j ' on account of minor accidents. , As these 1 stoppages are bound to occur, and as 1 playing in a very bad light reduces the game to a farce, it is time that the Hockey Association ordered the matches to be commenced punctually. As a rule, from five to ten minutes are wasted in starting, and should any delay eventuato, the end of the game must, at this time of the year, take place under such circumstances that neither the referee nor the players can see the balL In the Wellington-Karori fixture, for instance, the last Karon score would probably not have been obtained had the light been good. As it was, the bill went clean through without half of the backs knowing where it was. A' considerable number of complaints have been heard recently anent undue strictness on the part of some of the referees. It is, of coarse, saprctaely essential that these ofHelals ehould receive every support in their somewhat thank- ' less work, but reasonable criticism is quite legitimate, and onr referees would be the last to resent it. There is such a thing as a too literal reading of the 'rules, and there is a slight tenJency in this direction. As an example, many , vexatious stoppages are caused by the relerees insisting that a player's toe shall not encroach as much as one inch upon the five-yards line during a throw-in. Then, again, in such matters as striking ' an opponent's stick, carrying the ball, and knocking on, a little more latitude might be allowed without giving advantage to the offender, and without injuring the discipline of the game. The rule governing the giving of • I free-hit to the attacker when the de | fender hits the ball across his own goa. I line, most certainly should be more litI erally read. The free-hit should be giv- ' en only when the referee is of opinion that the ball has been hit behind intentionally. This, of course, is wellknown to the referees, yet it not infrequently happens that a free-hit is awarded when the ball is not 60 hit intentionally. It is reported that a freeI hit was given this year in a ca6c where • the goal-keeper thrust out his stick to ' stop the ball from going over the line, j but, although he touched the ball, he did not succeed in stopping it. From this particular free-hit a goal was scored. On looking back to the senior games last Saturday, one is not able to discover anything of the sensational order, although both matches provided much of an interesting nature. In my last { notes mention was made of Elliott's I want of form. The criticism came too

early, as he "got going" in good style against the collece, and he bagged three oi the five goals. He is, when in fighting tiini, a player with a clean, pretty style, with plenty of force in it. His return lo form will be doubly welcome in view of to-day's game against Wellington. King has been replaced by Abercrombie in the half line of the United eleven. The wisdom of the change at this period of the season ia very doubtful, as King, although not what he once was, at least knows his team's game — a knowledge which the newcomer probably lacks. Skeiky, the Victoria. College skipper, has played his lust game, as he left yesterday for Dannerirke, where he is to permanently reside. His departure will be regretted by all hockeyists, as ho has taken a keen interest in the sport, and has proved himself a centre-half of no mean order. 'He has represented both North Island and Wellington, and his place in tho college eleven will ba hard to fill. May good luck go with him! Rybum has been elected captain of the collegians, -.this is a vast mistake. The new skipper is one of tho finest of goal-keepers, and has the respect of all who are associated with him in the game. But it is manifestly impossible^for a piayer so far 'away ironj his comrades to properly control a team (especially a team which needs a deal of controlling), unless he is the possessor of a big strong voice or a megaphone. What the collegians most need at present is someone to bully them into keeping their pnices, and that is just what they haven't got. By the way, a great improvement lias taken place in Oram's play since he has been brought in from the wing and put into an inside position. The latter is much more suitable to him. The Wellingtons had things fairly well their own way against Karori, and they have now quite got into their paces. For some unknown reason, the Wellington forwards do not start work in earnest until ' someone scores a goal against their side. In their last two games they hung back until the abovementioned tonic was administered, and then the fun commenced. The forward play of this team has at times been very fine this season, but they have much to learn of circle work. If passing is worth while anywhere, it is worth while in the business part of the ground.' Yet it constantly happens that the winga and inside-forwards attempt to shoot -from almost impossible angles, while the centre is left to freeze, despite his being in an excellent position to shoot. Allen is playing very well this year, and de j mands much attention from tho opposinj backs. He is, however, showing a tea dency to carry the ball too far up before centring, thus bottling up his com rades. Hull is much the same forward .as ol old, and he is still setting an exampla to all and sundry to charge in the circle. It is seldom that this player hits a goal — he generally steals- it. The middle forward, Pope, has only just struck form, but is now playing a good solid game. He has the fault of getting rid of the ball teo quickly — he would do better by dribbling more. Duncan, who is putting in his first year as a senior, is proving himself a good getter of goals, and he makes full use .of his pace, es« pecially by tackling the opposing, fullback. This tackling by forwards "is, by the way, not nearly, enough' indulged in by any of our inside-forwards, -yet. few things pay better. Beere has tho difficult position of left wing to fill, and he is coming on very rapidly. Ho must, however, greatly improve his fielding, and must' use more judgment upon th« question of when to drive the ball in. The Wellington half line is a strong one, although Morpeth does not quit* fill the place of Blackwell, who is injured. His tackling and fielding ore 6olid, but what is lacking is qujeknesa of action. He is several times only just beaten. Smythe, on the other wing, ha 4 improved on his last year's play, especi« ally in his fielding and hitting. He, too, would be t % better for more vim. Reid is the crac* man in the position of oentre-half playing this year. He does his best to satisfy the hungry sticks I ,i his vanguard, and plays throughout I .vith great judgment, perhaps his on* weak spot is his hitting — it is a trifle on the gentle side. With the full-backs, Fell and Staples, little fault can bo found. They field splendidly, and are difficult men to pass. Both are strong hitters, but both are inclined to make too much use of the line. Preston, in goal, is still the sam« steady and reliable player that he always was. Some of his "saves" have bordered on the brilliant, but on Saturday last he fielded 6oina balls which he should have allowed to pass. In a goalkeeper it is better te be sure 'than 6orry.

Lady (before the full length portrait oi a girl) : Oh, if 1 only knew the painter of thisl Artist (stepping forward joyfully) : Permit me, madam, to introduce myself as the painter. Lady : What extraordinary good luck! Now, you will tell me, won't you, the address of tha j dressmaker who made this girl's frock?