HOCKEY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9162, Issue 9162, 11 March 1910, Page 2

HOCKEY.

(By "Half-Back.")

For the first time for many years there will be no hockey in Palmerston at Easter. .The annual fixture between Old Boys arid Hawera at one time provided an interesting match for Easter Monday, but it has fallen through of late years. The great heat, which as. yet shows no signs of abating, together with the early date of the festival, are the main factors in the failure to arrange any matches this year. However, players arc beginning to show signs of returning interest _in this popular winter game, and there is much talk as to the probabilities of the approaching season. Towards the end of the month the clack of tongues will give place to the crash of sticks at early morning practices in view of Shield matches. One Club—Technical School—has already held its annual meeting, and it is time the others were moving, as the Association meets early in April. I understand a new Club will bo formed this year composed of a nucleus of players who have come to Palmerston since last year. Some useful men are understood to be the promoters, and it is to be hoped the new blood will materialise. Post Office will defend the Shield with a reinforced team. Phoenix, last year's runner-up, still have sufficient enthusiasts left to rally the depleted Blue and Black ranks, while Old Boys are reported to have enough material for two teams, though whether both will range themselves under the Amber and Black banner is a, matter of speculation. The Juniors are awaiting the opening , of the season with some impatience, and, as in previous years, the campaign for the neat Maclean Shield will be conducted with customary vigour. Let us hope the enthusiasm will be confined to the game and not to the encouragement of overmuch chin-wagging. Quite a number of senior players have approved of a proposal to make a tour of the South Island this year. A tenday tour, covering matches at Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill, and costing £8 a man, is suggested, and already sufficient men of representative status have agreed to go if the Association decides to arrange the trip. Players generally who are able to get away about the" end of Juno or the beginning of July arc invited to keep the matter in view." Hockey tours are invariably most enjoyable methods of spending" a holiday, as those who have accompanied the Manawatu team to Auckland, Wellington, or the Wairarapa know. It is rumoured that several important innovations will bo proposed at the annual meeting of the Association, but of these more anon.