HOCKEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 29 March 1923, Page 2

HOCKEY

NELSON ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Nelson Hockey Association was held at tho Institute Room last evening. Mr W. Dee presided, and the following delegates were present:—Messrs A. Giblm, E. R. Black (Stoke), W. Vaughan, A. Wells (Nelson), 0. Mullins, C. Chapman (Wai-Mai). H. Smith, J. Kerr (Kiwi), C. Gibbs (Federal), G. Hams (United); H. J. Savage, and A. J. Fmdlay (secretary and treasurer). The annual report and balance-sheet were read by the secretary. The finances of the Association were shown to be in a very satisfactory position, there being a credit of £22 6s iOd in the bank, and assets were over £IOO ill value. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, and a motion by Mr Savage that the Association place on record its appreciation of Mr Findlay's services was carried amidst hearty applause.

ANNUAL REPORT The annual report stated, inter alia:— "The season was another long one, and ono of the most successful in the history of the Association. Besides the cup fixtures, we had three very important matches allotted to Nelson, and our right to these important matches, and the confidence which the N.Z.H.A. placed in our Association, has been fully justified, by the manner in which the events were conducted and to the fact that air were financial successes. "Membership. —The number of clubs affiliated has risen to 16 clubs, comprising 20 teams. In addition two schools entered and a third is to enter this coming season. "Registrations.—Registration of players has increased again the past season, being: Men (senior and junior) 176; ladies 165; schools 24; total 367. "Competitions. — Twenty-two entries were received for the various competitions. .Men's senior 5 (1922), 5 (1921); men'a Junior- 6 and 5; ladies 9 and 9; schools"2 and 3, for 1922 and 1921 respectively. "The standard of play was again of a high order, as was evinced by the results of the representative games. The various competitions were as follow /—Ladies' championship, United and Riwaka Club bracketed; men's charity cup (men's) Kiwi; men's junior championship, Stoke; schools championship, Stoke, The ladies'_ championship was mqre interesting this last season, but play is still below the standard Nelson Jladies' hockey has reached. '■ "The; gates for the championship matches show a slight decrease on last year, but as several days were taken up with big games and extra practices, the result is satisfactory. "Six-a-sido Tournaments. —The annual men's six-a-side tournament was, held on June 3rd, and was spoiled by rain. The senior was won by Kiwi Club and the junior by Kiwi Club also. The ladies' six-a-side, held, on August Monday, was a huge success, there- being splendid entries and a ,big attendance. The Riwaka Club won the tournament. "Rep. Matches. —The season was a very busy one for rep. matches, and the result of these prove* very interesting. Nelson again failed to lift the Shield from Auckland, after an even game on the-Botanic Reserve, the result being a draw. The Australia-Nelson match was also'drawn. The North v. South Island match was played here and won by the South, Island by 3 to 1. A challenge lias been forwarded to the N.Z.H.A. for a Shield match early this seasuo. Referees. —We have been very fortunate in having more senior referees than usual. It is hoped that more senior' players will assist with the refereeing of junior and school games this coming season. . ( "Charity Cup.—The Charity Cup competition was played for under tournament rules, owing to the lateness of the season. There are no set rule for this competition and the new committee should deal with this matter. "During the season 18 general meetings were held, the attendances being gcod. Your executive again appeals to all new members to assist older members in' fusing more interest in the i work. The season has been a streuous , one for the executive, and two members were added to form a special committee 1 re the several rep. matches. The executive met on 24 occasions, and the special committee nightly fo ra period of three weeks. "Owing to lack of support dances 1 were not continued last season except on three special occasions. This year it is hoped to run a series of socials, and clubs are to be notified of the value of such functions. Trophies.—The Association has a trophy for every competition at present. The Senior Shield is now almost full. Your .executive has been able to make arrangements to .have it replaced. '/Newman Shield.—Through the generosity of Messrs Newman Bros, the Association now possesses a, very handsome shield, which will take the place

of the present. Shield* Your executivefully considered the coiiditiwfS of the donation, and after interview! f># Mr H. R. Duncan, donor of the present shield (HOW pracitcally full) and Mr T. Newman, It was decided that the new shield be for' the senior championship. The Newman Shield Is a Very handsome one, and is bound to be an Incentive to keen competition. We hope Motu'ektt Will be induced to try and secure it. The liinilfes, of the Association are due to Messrs Now'mstfi Bros, for this valuable addition to our assets.- AH others trophies arc in good condition. "The balance-sheet of the Aussid tour was before the Association last year and adopted. In future, we should endeavour to arrange hotter terms with the pttl'etlt body should oversea teams visit New Zealand. In this instance the larger associations who so kindly (?) held out the sheltering hand_ to the numerically smaller bodies in asking that the guarantee be repaid pro rata to the amount of guarantee, and not of nell gate, have scored a great victory, as all the smaller associations have shown larger gates and less expenses than our kind friends A glance at the Australian balance-sheet will suffice to back up our opinion. I have brought out a separate balance-sheet for each of the three big matche. "School Sticks.—The Association forwarded a. set of sticks to the Richmond School, and in order-to get more schoolboys interested, must be prepared to procure more sticks. "Messrs IT. Whitwell, C. Dee, J. Cassells. L. Jellvman, and A. Louisson plaved in the South Island match. Messrs C. Whitwell and F AVells were unable to play. Our Association was ably represented on the N.Z.H.A. and N.Z.L.H.A., by Mr Grade and Miss Gilfedder respectively, and in each case our representative secured a seat on the executive.

"The Takaka section is still an unsatisfactory body, and it is the duly of the incoming association to again endeavour to improve matters. Motueka section worked much better. A suggestion that Motueka and town clubs play in ono section, as in past seasons, should be carefully considered by the Association. "In conclusion, the thanks of the association are due to all those who have assisted us during the past season and helped to bring about such a. successful season; to those who so kindly billeted players; assisted by donations; the Rugby Union; Football Association; and especially our referees." A list of those to whom the thanks of the executive was clue was attached to the report, as follows:—The Press; for'billeting Auckland and Australian teams, Mr and Mrs Hockey senior, Mr and Mrs Broiniley, Mr and Mrs Gibbs, Mr and Mrs Trathen, Mr and Mrs C. Milner, Mr and Mrs Moore, Mr and Mrs Robertson, Mrs Findlay, Mr and Mrs Brennan, Mr and Mrs Mulhns, Messrs W. D. ant C. Chapman, Mr and Mrs Savage, Mrs Graham; Mr W. Deo for use of car; Messrs Kirkpatrick, Duncan, Field, Barton, and Trathen, for donations; Messrs H. J. Savage, Dunran, Lock, Chapman, H. Baigent, Doe, Vaughan, H. Hockey, H. Whitwell, donation towards Australians' entertainment; Mr Savage, use of room; Mr 11. Hockey; to members Queen Committee, including Mr and Mrs Milner, Mr and Mrs Berryman, Mrs Findlay, Messrs Vaughan, Hockey ,and others; to the guarantors for Australian match; to Messrs Newman Bros, for shield; to Rugby Union for assistance in Australian match ; the Football Association for postponing matches on days of rep. hockey, fixtures; to the members of the Befcrccs' Association; and to players/who turned out regularly to assist the representative teams. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:—Patron, Mill. R. Duncan (re-elected); President, Mr S. Kirkpatrick (re-elected); VicePresidents, . MrsiHurst, Hon. W. W. Snodgrass, Messrs G. Hobie, W. Dee, T. A. H. Field, H. J. Savage, T. L. Floyd, Gracie, and President of affiliated clubs. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer, Mr A. J. Findlay (re-elected); Hon. Auditors, Messrs E. R. Neale and V. Webley (re-elected); Executive, Messrs Vaughan, Mullins, and the Secretary (ladies' delegate to be appointed at a future meeting); Delegates to New Zealand Hockey Association, (ladiesjj Miss Gilfedder (re-elected), (men's) Mr Gracie (re-elected); Postponement Committee: Messrs Yv. Dee, Savage, and Vaughan. Selection Committee, held over. [, ..-

On Mr Savage's motion it was resolved that a letter of appreciation be sent to Mr Gracie for his services as delegate last year. Amongst the correspondence were letters from outside associations in reference to alterations in the rules, and theso were held over for a future meeting to discuss. li was resolved that tho season be opened on 28th April, and that a gala day bo held on April 21st, those present to be a committe for same. It was decided that entries for competition close with the secretary on April 18th. , '';;•• After a discussion it was resolved that tho secretary approach the Motueka clubs with a view to arranging home and home .matches, as under the old system. Eesolved that nominations bo called from teams for a third-class competition. , It was mentioned that Stoke were improving their playing ground, and it would no doubt be in better condition during the coming season. , The Kiwi delegates asked that efforts be made in arranging fixtures that junior and senior teams of one club arc not played at tho same hour; also that referees on executive should not deal on cases where players were reported to the executive.—lt was pointed out by speakers that although the viewpoint of the Kiwi Club was understood, it was i quite impracticable to approve of any resolutions in this direction. On Mr Savage's motion it was resolved that no further claims be recognised by the Association in regard to past rep. matches. . Mr Savage also proposed that the sincere thanks of tho Association be accorded to Mr T. Newman for his handsome shield. Carried with applause. It was resolved that the Newman Shield be insured, and that a case be obtained for it. Mr Savage said that as the Duncan Shield was now filled it would be a a graceful act for the association to ask Mr H. 11. Duncan to accept it. ' This was carried. •

The matter of procuring fust aid gear was left to the Secretary. , A suggestion was made that old players be asked to donate sticks for school players. The Secretary brought, up the matter of the undue and excessive use of employers' telephones in reference to matters dealing with the game. No consideration at all was used by inquirers, who seemed to forget that oven Becretaries have not the requisite time to stanU by a telephone all day long, and had other duties to attend to. Those present upheld the Secretary in his view of the matter, and a resolution was carried that the telephone be installed at the Secretary's house. This was all the business, and a vote of thanks to the chairman was carried by acclamation.