HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

Evening Star, Issue 14053, 7 May 1909, Page 4

HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of tpe Otago Hockey Association was-held last night. Mr J. A. Park presided, and there were present Mr W. Maclean (vice-president) and the following delegates:—Y.M.C.A., Messrs R. Crawford and B. Jones; Otago Club, Messrs C. B. Jarman and N. Moore; Briscoe’s Club, Messrs G. Goughian and J. Wilson; Gymnastic Club, Messrs 6. Israel and J. E. Walker; Otago University Club, Messrs E. M. Rutherford and J. A. Rybum; Oamaru Club, Messrs E. H, Colder and J. Lorimer. The first business was the affiliation of the Oamaru Club. This'was agreed to, thus giving the Oamaru delegates the right to sit. The President moved the adoption of the annual report (already published). All | must feel gratified at the very bright pros- ! pects of hockey for the future. The Executive had had an anxious time in connection with the task of securing' grounds, but through the good offices of Mr Jarman and Mr Norman Moore the Executive had succeeded in obtaining eight’ 1 playing grounds for the year at Forbury Park, at a rent, certainly, somewhat beyond . the means' of the Association in the meantime, but it had to be done, and as a-result the Association now had grounds for not only the gentlemen players, but also the ladies. There were now upwards of 450 players, counting ladies and gentleemn, and the number was rapidly on the increase. If persons who were interested would pay a visit to Forbury Park any Saturday afternoon his eyes would be opened to what a cheerful and clean game hockey is; and it was a'pleasure to him (Mr Park) to know that hockey, after a struggle, was now firmly established in Dunedin. It was satisfactory, also, to find that the outgoing Committee had a very fair balancesheet tp place before the meeting. Mr Israel seconded the motion, and it was carried after one or two members had briefly spoken. The balance-sheet showed £8 17s 4d cash in hand. Mr Jarman proposed the re-election of Mr J. A. Park as president, saying that no non-player in the district had taken such a keen interest in hockey as Mr Park had, -for he- was an active supporter even before the formation of the Association when president of the Otago Hockey Club! Mr Park expressed a wish to retire, but the delegates would not hear of it, and he was unanimously re-elected amidst heartv applause. The other offices were thus filled : Vice-presidents—-Messrs A. J. Adams, G R Ritchie, and J. C. Hobbs; secretary and treasurer, Mr C. B. Jarmaii; auditor, Mr W. Beadle; delegate to New Zealand Hockey Association, Mr H. 8. J. Goodman ; committee—Messrs Israel, Ryburn, Calder, Goughian, Rutherford, and Moore!

Mr J. C ; Hobbs wrote intimating that the Dunedin Hockey dub had disbanded i owing to the small' support forthcoming, j Mr IV B. Foiifce, secretary of the i 3T.M.C.A., forwarded a resolution of his i club that the Cei litre be asked to give serious attention to, the formation of third • grade hockey teams, this appearing to be necessary owing to the number, of young players who, took ; the field last season.— Mr Crawford supported the resolution, say- ; ing that his club had last season* a number of young" players; who were too small to hold their own- with the second grade.— The meeting decided to recommend the t resolution to the favorable consideration of the Executive* It was decided to recommend the Executive to open the season on the-22nd inst., the motion to that effect defeating an amendment in flavor of the 15th inst. , , hearty vot<> of thanks was accorded to Mr Park.

, -hh® meeting also tendered sincere thanks to Mr . Maci( an for his services as vicepresident, and to the cause of hockey generally, this being coupled with aa expression of that he was retiring trom office.

Prior to the general meeting the Executive met and s dopted a set of nils.