HOCKEY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 154, 29 June 1912, Page 17

HOCKEY

(By Left-Wing.) By the time these notes are published the shield contest, Wellington v. Canterbury, will have been decided. The Southerners' team is a good one, and Wellington's has oaußod a good deal of disappointment. However, let us hope that the shield will go to the better team on the day's play. Some time ago the Wellington Ladies' Association sent out circulars to the various schools in Wellington. Petone, and the Hutt, asking that ladies' hockey clubs be formed. Answers have been received from the Kilbirnie, NewtoWn, and the Hutt, stating that teams have been started, and will ibe affiliated to the assooiatidn_ next year. Two other schools find a diffioulty in the way of expense, but this association will do all in its power to lessen the expense next year. A >benefit night is to be given at tho King's Picture Theatre next Tuesday night to raise funds towards sending a representative team to Auckland, where the tournament is to be held this year. A trophy of the value of !£1 Is has been offered to the player who sells the largest number of tickets. It is to be hoped that funds will come in. Circulars have also been sent to the various clubs suggesting that each member hold an "evening" in her own home, charging Is admission, the proceeds to go to the association towards -the expenses of the representative team. These expenses, by' the way, will amount to from £70 to £80. The idea will in all probability be enthusiastically taken up. It has been decided that the six lowest teams play off (at the end of the present round) for a consolation cup (the old third class cup won tby the old Roseneath Club), and the five highest for the rose bowl so generously presented by her Excellency Lady Islington. It is yet early (says the Auckland Star) to receive any definite information as to what teams will take part in the forthcoming tournament, but some of _ the Southern associations have already signified their intention of being represented. Taranaki, who have re-organised their association^ will t compete _ in the senior grade again. This team is got together under great difficulties, as many of the clubs are eighty or ninety miles apart, but they can be relied on to put up a plucky fight. Wellington also will send one senior team. Their last year's team, although it included some excellent players, was one of the most uncertain teams competing. They drew with the champions and defeated Buller, but were easily beaten by Auckland, whose colours were lowered by both Buller and Nelson. The Hawkes Bay girls are making strenuous efforts to raise sufficient funds to send a team away, and it will be a disappointment to every team which has met them at previous tournaments if the black-and-whites are\absentoeg. Several of the prominent plajors of the 1911 team — Missus Niven, Smith, Crowley, Harribon (forwards), C. Warren, and M. Swain (the clever little halves) — aro again available, and, best news of all Mrs. Maddison (nee Miss Wellwood), who is probably the most brilliant forward Hawkeß' Bay has ever produced, has again taken up the game. It is hoped that Auckland will enter a senior and junior team, and if possiblo a team representing the country districts if they can be persuaded to affiliate with the association. The junior team will probably have to play in the senior grade, as there is little piobability of a separate junior competition being held. The Junior cup is at present held by Wellington, who secured it at the first tournament in 1908, and whosa right to hold it has not been questioned." News conies from Gisborne that the Povortv Bay ladies are aotively engaged in raising the necessary funds to enable them to take part in their first tournament. If they are successful a team will be sent to compete in the Auckland fixture in August. A visitor to Auckland, Mr. K. W. Flookart, a member of the executive of the New South Wales Hockey Association, stated (Bays the Herald) that tho Sydney men are very keen on sending a representative team to New Zealand next winter. An extensive trip would be out of the question, but if suitable dates could bo arranged and reasonable guarantees Wero forthcoming it is certain that a team would come and play matches at Auckland, Wellington, Christohurch, and probably an intermediate. centre. There ure twenty-seven teams in Sydney this season, ami M>\ Floekdxr sajs ilia -jaino is being taken ii[j culhusitislicilly. Triangular contests ar" played each year between Nnw South 'Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, .