Hockey

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 19, 22 July 1933, Page 20

Hockey

By "Sticks." LADIES' TOURNEY

REPLY TO ROTORUA

OFFICIAL STATEMENT

The executive of the New Zealand Women's Hockey Association has replied to the protest made by tho Rotorua Association against the allocation of the forthcoming Dominion tourney to the Buahine (Dannevirke) Association in view of Eotorua's claims. The reply deals specifically with the various points raised by Eotorua. It is pointed out that last season two associations, Marlborough and Otago, applied for the tournament, but at the last minute Marlborough withdrew, and the fixture was held at Dunedin. So far as the date of allocation is concerned, according to the rules tho executive has until June 30 to make its decision. Jtotorua's remit to the annual meeting sought to extend the time to July 31. The allocating of the tourney was in the hands of the council until 1927, when the majority of associations favoured a change to the executive, and a new rule was brought in. No official correspondence other than the copies sent to Rotorua has been given to Ruahine.' After both applications had been fully considered, a, 'secret ballot to* taken and resulted in Ruahine's favour by six votes to two. The extra travelling and increased expense with the tourney at Rotorua no doubt influenced the majority, and again, Ruahine is an association of ten years' standing as against Rotorua's four. "In your application for the tourney you advance as one of your claims the fact that you have spent about £450 in attending tourneys," the letter concludes. "As Ruahino have been represented at all tournaments, with two exceptions, since 1923, 1 think you will concede that they have the greater claim on that score. Also, they have made application for the tourney as far back as 1927. My association trusts that this information will suffice to show that no prejudice against Rotorua has influenced the allocating of the tourney. Your keen disappointment is fully realised, but we hope that your interest in the game will not bo deterred. Other associations in the past have been unsuccessful, but still continue to hope that their day will eventually come." The , following ' associations have definitely entered teams: Ruahine (two), Bush (two), Akitio, Taranaki, Wellington, Eastern, Feilding (two). Other likely entrants are Southland, Otago, Central Otago, anu Wstirarapa. Entries close on July 29.