FEILDING'S INDEPENDENCE

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1718, 8 January 1920, Page 7

FEILDING'S INDEPENDENCE

SCHISM IN HOCKEY CIRCLES,

DISCUSSION AT NORTH ISLAND CONFERENCE.

The conference of delegates of various North Island Hockey Associations commenced in Pahnorston North yesterday morning with the object of revising the boundaries of associations, was continued during tiio afternoon. Mr H. S. J. Goodman', president of the New Zealand Executive, presided. The question of the split which arose when Feilding seceded from the Manawatu Association was' discussed at considerable length. Feilding delegates were adamant against any suggestion of a re-union with Manawatu despite' the persuasive efforts of the bulk of the delegates. Mr Fitzpatrick, Feilding Association, explained that the reason for Feilding seceding from the Manawatu was that the district was not dealt with satisfactorily by the Manawatu Association. At _ present they wore a f-.eparate entity, which was their heart's desire, and did not want any alteration in their boundaries. The history oi the game in Feilding showed that the act was justified. The past.season had been a splendid one. The New Zealand representative team visited Feilding during the past season, a competition was held among five men's teams for the Romney Cup, arid n. fivc-a-side tournament was participated ii by thirteen men's teams and a similar number of ladies'. The Association had also organised the game in Taihapo and Marton, where sub-associations were formed. At present there were two good teams in Taiharm and one in Marton.

Mr B. Hobday, secretary of the Feilding Hockey Association, speaking on behalf ot Taihape, said that the town had a cor taintv of four teams next season, and hoped for six. ' In Marton the caino was also doing well. Interest in the game was being promoted in Taihapo by introducing it into the schools and presenting a challenge shield for competition. The Taihapo sub-association had definitely instructed him to state that they desired to remain under the Feilding Association.

Mr Fitzpatrick said that the only thing his Association desired was the incorporation of the Rongotea district in. the area under its control.

Mr Jackson strongly opposed the incorporation of Rongotea under the Feilding Association. Moreover he urged that the Feilding Association should be merged into the Manawatu Association again. FEILDING'S PAROCHIALISM. Mr Fitzpatrick was obdurate in his Association's desire to remain separate. It was for the good of the game, he urged, that Feilding should be allowed to remain independent. If Manawatu could not run its own association without swallowing Feilding he was sorry for Palmerston North. A delegate : What about Feilding running Pahnersiou North ?

Mr Fitzpatrick: We do not want to. Mr Norton (Auckland) expressed the opinion that the schism was the result of some small inter-town .jealousy. It would be to the advantage of the game to reunite with Manawatu, and if possible, with Horowhenua That would result in a good strong union with power to compete in big matches, lie felt that with a little adjustment the whole amalgamated association could be run quite amicably. He moved that Manawatu, Feilding and Horowhenua amalgamate into one association: Mr Lewis seconded the motion.

Mr Hobday emphatically slated that the result would kill the game in Feilding. and his remark was endorsed by Mr Fitzpatrick. The latter delegate added the Nordcn Cup would never stay in Feilding again if a combination was formed. Mr Jackson said that the Manawatu Association was ohr to benefit the. game r.s a whole, which would bo done by amalgamating the association. AMALGAMATION AGREED TO. Mr Cowper (Christchurch), secretary of the New Zealand executive, stated that in tlie event of the proposed Australian team visiting New Zealand it would be impossible to give either Manawatu or Feilding a game, though it was suggested that a team should be picked from each. Under the oresent arrangement that would be unsatisfactory. The chairman (Mr Goodman) endeavoured to ncrsuade the Feilding delegate that it would be advantageous to mend the rupture, but Mr Fitzpatrick replied that he wished it to bo understood clearly that Feilding would not hold out to a certain point only, but would always object to any amalgamation with Manawatu. Finally the motion was put and earned by four to' one. Messrs Norton (Auckland), Lewis (Hawke's Bany), Jackson (Manawatu), and Kerslakc (Horowhenua) voting in its favour. A suggestion made by Mr Norton during the morning was then put to the conferenc in the form of a motion. It was to the effect that in the event of the recommendations regarding revised boundaries being ccceptecl by the New Zealand Association they should hot be made of a permanent character, hut should be subject to a further revision within two years.