HOCKEY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 April 1927, Page 6

HOCKEY.

TARANAKI ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES

The animal meeting of delegates to the Taranaki Hockey Association "as Held at Eltliam last night. Air. X. J. Bridger (.president) occupied the chair, and extended a welcome and congratulations to delegates, with the assurance that hockey affairs .in Taranaki were very much alive, as evidenced by the large attendance oi dub representatives. He trusted that the forthcoming season would prove a successful and interesting one. The delegates present were : Messrs O. Kehely, T. Howard (Kaponga), J.. Gray, O. Prior (New Plymouth), A. H. Gaze, H. G. Johnson (Stratford), W. Bennie, O. Free (Mangatoki), P. Edwards, W. Symnnan.s (Otakeho). J. H. Vowless (Hawera), O. J. Pennington (Ellthani), and A. Jackson (secretary). Apologies for absence were .received from Air. J. J. Davison (Kaponga), and delegates of the AVa.itara jplub. THE REPORT. The annual report presented .state*., that the outstanding feature oi the last year’s operations was the visit paid to Taranaki by the Indian Army hockey team. The match played at El than) u., the visitors against Taranaki' representatives created great public interest, and infused new life and energy into followers of the game. Though short of practice together, the Taranaki team performed very creditably against then well-trained opponents, and fully justified the fine public support accorded the contest. Club fixtures were, on the whole, very satisfactory, though the failure of some clubs to keep all their engagements detracted from the continuity of interest among players, and the general public. It was hoped that each town in Taranaki would field at least two senior teams this season, and that hockey would continue to grow in public favour. Congratulations are offered to the Efitham. A. and Stratford B teams, winners of the senior and junior grades respectively in the seven-a-side tournament in which competition was very keen among the large number of teams entered. The financial, position of the association was more satisfactory than for many years past. A strong recommendation was made to the incoming committee that particular attention should be devoted tothe encouragement of the game in all schools, by the institution of competitions among the senior classes. The association was greatly indebted to Mr. A. Jackson (secretary) for his untiring attention to. its affairs during the year, especially in connection with the Indian team's visit. COMMENTS ON REPORT. In commenting on the report, Air. Bridger considered that Hie Indian Army teamfs visit to New Zea.lan;., should be returned. Such a procedure would, ihe thought, be in the best interests of (hockey, both in India and tlii-s Dominion. He paid a high tribute tAir. Jackson’.? executive ability in connection with the visit of the Indians. In regard to the encouragement of hockey in schools, he expressed the opinion that the association should not push itself too. much in this direction. The game was annually becoming more popular, and, in the ordinary course, of events, juniors of school age would fall into line, and swell the ranks of enthusiasts, as in other branches of winter sport. Air. Johnson voiced the opinion that the hockey association and clubs paid too little attention to. advertising hockey matches. He was sure of greatly increased public interest in the game if a little more money were expended in advertisement. The district association had expended a considerable sum in endeavours to popularise the game, lmt their efforts had fallen short of anticipations, mainly, he contended, on account of a. lack of publicity in the announcement of coming important fixtures. On the motion of Air. Johnson, the report was adopted. BALANCE-SHEET. Including a balance of £l2 3s brought forward, receipts for the year totalled £IBO 15s 3d. Of this amount, £IOB 16s Gd represented gate takings. Expenditure was heavy, the principal items in an outlay of £152 19s Id being on account of Indian Army match (£59 3s 4d). bus hire (£lB 18s 6d), and the Taranaki Hockey Association’s levy on gate receipts (£32 9s). Credit balance of £27 16s 2d remained.

NEW CLUB’S AFFILIATED. The Hawera, Alangatoki, Otakeho and Wait ara clubs were admitted to membership of the association. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected: — President. Mr J. J. Davison (Kaponga) ; vice-presidents, Alessrs W. Bennie (Alangatoki) and F. Sage (Hawera) ; .secretary and .treasurer, Air A. Jackson (Elthain), re-elected; management committee, Alessrs H. C. Johnson (Stratford), I. ,T. Bridger and C. J. Pennington (Elthain), C. Free (Alangatoki), and the. president- and secretary. The appointment of selectors and a fixtures committee wn.s referred to the ma n agement eomm it tee. GENERAL. Air Johnson stated that an unsuccesful effort had previously been inadi. to transfer the headquarters of the New Zealand Hockcv Association from •Christchurch to Wellington, and lie considered that the best interests of the game would be served if such an arrangement could be made. He moved that the secretary ascertain if the- proposition were desirable from the point of view of the Wellington. Association. This was seconded by Mr Kehely, and carried. Air Johnson further moved that in the event of the Wellington Association agreeing to the. proposal, all the small associations should be advised of the movement, and requested to lend their support in carrying it into effect. It was resolved to accede to the wish of the New Zealand Football Association, that no fixtures be arranged, to e'a.sh with a match against the visiting Canadian team on Alav 23. On the motion of Air Bridger, it was decided that the management- committee. he rrcomended to appoint a delegate to the Now Zealand Hockey Association’s annual meeting. In reply to Air Kchelcy, Air Vowless said that under the present- conditions, Hawera, could field only one team, but if there was a universal weekly halfholiday his club could nominate three or four teams. It was an.nou.need that the annual fixtures would probably commence during the first week in May. Vo’t.iS' of thanks were accorded to the president-, to the Eltbam Borough Council for use of the room and to the PreSS ‘ CHAIRMAN APPOINTED. At a subsequent meeting, Air T. J. Bridger was elected chairman of the niaiiagcmen* committee.