HOCKEY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 28 April 1922, Page 8

HOCKEY.

TARANAKI ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL MEbTIING.

The annual meeting of the Taranaki Hockey Association was held last evening, Mr. T. Taylor, vice-president, being in the chair. There were nine delegates, representing Kaponga, Eltham, Manaia, and Hawera Rivals present, and the secretary, Mr. C. E. Morrissey, Inglewood, who also stated that they would be entering a team in the championship fixtures. A letter was read from Stratford that they were unable to revive their team this year. An apology was received f.rom of Mr. B. McCarthy, the president. The annual report stated : — We have passed through a most successful season, i.e., so far as representative matches go, but I am sorry to have to say that the club fixtures were somewhat disorganised. This was brought about through a certain section of the Hawera clubs not pulling together, and ended in six players being disqualified for the remainder of the season. We liopa that this year all ! concerned will bury the hatchet and | help to promote the game of hockey as true sportsmen. We have drawn attention to our success in representative matches. Why? For the first time in the history of hockey Taranaki has gained the honour of winning the Nordon Cup. This was accomplished at Feilding in a match with that district's team, the score being three goals to one. We feel more than proud of our position, and extend our heartiest conj gratulations to the • members of the > team (Messrs Frethey, Hendrickson, I Priest, W. Bennie, Pennington, > Nicholls, Page, Foreman, Thoumine, : Humphries, and T. Bennie). Further, j since securing this coveted trophy I Taranaki has staved off three chal- , lenges, viz., Taranaki v. Wairarapa i (score, 4 goals to 1), Taranaki v.I Wanganui (score, 4 goals all), Taranaki v. Poverty Bay (won by default). The ■ matches were played in Hawera and Kaponga respectively, while the visiting teams were entertained by the local club in each case, to whom ou?i thanks are due. All clubs have'paid their affiliation fees, and, considering the strenuous times brought about by the Nordon Cup matches, our finances are in a very healthy state. Nine executive meetings were held during the year, as compared with six for the 1920 season. Seven teams took part in the first two rounds of the club fixtures, but in the final rounds these dwindled down to three. In two very interesting play-offs Eltham and Kaponga drew in the first, while the final saw Eltham carried to victory. Our congratulations j are extended to Eltham, firstly, because | it is that club's first time to obtain championship honours, and secondly ! because the team comprises all young players. The club are now holders of the Taranaki Hockey Association's silver cup for the 1921-22 season. It /S wiht extreme regret we have to record that no junior^ fixtures were in operation during the year; not even friendly matches were promoted. We must take steps to see that this does not recur this year; on the contrary, we must put some sting into the organising of junior hockey. Gentlemen, bear this in mind: It is the juniors of to-day whom we are to look to as the seniors of the future." We cannot stress this point too strongly; otherwise, some day hockey will take a back seat in this province. Therefore it is our earnest desire that all affiliated ■ clubs take up this matter seriously, I and do all in their power, to advance I junior hockey. A large number of rule books on the game of hockey were procured and distributed" amongst the various clubs, while we still have a good supply on' hand. During the year attempts were made to form a Referees' Association, but in each case proved fruitless. Here, again, is another J branch of the sport that lias had to ' take a back seat, and it is quite time that something in the direction of an associated body was arrived at. At all events when further efforts are made we_ hope each affiliated club win do all in its power to bring about a resuscitation of the Taranaki Hockey Referees' Association. In conclusion, we must state that we have an association full of life and vigour, and with a continuance of same we trust it may eclipse all past accomplishments and pnsh ahead the ever popular sport of hockey. The report and balance-sheet, showing j a credit balance of £8 17s, were read and adopted, on the motion of Mr. . Collier, seconded by Mr. McLachlan. | Mr. McLachlan moved and Mr Barnard seconded that an effort be made | to form a referees' association at the j next meeting of the executive, and with this end in view the secretaries be asked to nominate a referee to attend this meeting.—Carried. The meeting decided that some definite move be undertaken to provide a junior competition. Election of officers resulted: Patron Mr. E. Dixon, M.P. (re-elected): president, Mr. B. McCarthy (re-elected)-vice-presidents, the presidents of the affiliated clubs. Mr. Anderson moved and Mr. Collier seconded that the ottice of secretary and -treasurer be combined and be filled at the first meet. "}£ or the executive. Hon. auditor Mr. W. E. Williams (to whom a hearty vote of thanks was passed for his past services); delegate to New Zealand Association, Mr. R. Swell, Christchurch (re-elected). A letter was read from the New Zealand Association dealing with many matters, amongst which were their annual report and balance-sheet and notices of motion regarding proposed rules governing the change of the centre. • Barnard mo^6d and Mr. McLachlan seconded that the Taranaki Associations feeling was in favour of the prothat the delegate be wired to this effect immediately. If these amendments are adopted the centre will be changed from Christchurch to Wellington The New Zealand Association wrote asking the executive's feeling on a proposed change in the system of appointing referees for the New Zealand Shield matches Mr. Harrison moved and Mr McLachlan seconded that the New Zea•eail^l^lo^ be asked what was Cam d d the ProP°sed change.— I W^H^T^f 6 c&nsisting of Messrs Wilton McLachlan, and the president ; was set up to revise the rules govern- | ing the constitution and working of the (laranaki Hockey Association, with an j instruction that it submits same at the next executive meeting. The question of runningVineh's five \\ inter Show week was discussed and it was decided to leave the matter over until a later, date. With the intention of encouraging the promotion of this tournament the chairman donated a set of five caps for competition. A hearty bT^lattn 1: 0^- ™ C^d Mr. Anderson moved arid Mr Mor rissey seconded that the fixture com--25 +° b, 6 + ?PPomted by the executive, ana tnat the fixtures commence in the Se^ nd T,Week in May-—Carried. Mr Barnard moved, and Mr Morrissey seconded, that it be a recommendation to the sub-committee set up to revise the rules that rule 14 be altered to read that each of the competing

teams provide a white-painted ball at the match they are participating in instead of the home team finding the ball. | A hearty vote of thanks to the chair and the press and the Farmers' Co-op, for use of room was carried by acclamation. A formal meeting of the executive took place immediately after the conclusion of the delegates' meeting. Mr Harrison was voted to the chair. The question of electing secretary and treasurer was brought up. Mr Morrissey handed in his resignation. Several requests were made that he should reconsider it, but Mr Morrissey regretted that he could not find time to continue in the positionl, and he was tendered a hearty vote of thanks for his past services and the resignation was accepted. Mr J. McLachlan was appointed to the position. Messrs Wilson and McLachlan were appointed a sub-committee to arrange fixtures. The executive will meet again on May 10-