HOCKEY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 March 1936, Page 10

HOCKEY

NELSON ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING HELD REVIEW OF PAST SEASON At I lie annual meeting of the Nelson llockcv Association at the Institute lasi evening there were present Mr J. W. Russell (president, in the chair). Misses L. Howard (Rcwa), L. Gill (Iluia), Messrs R. J. Smith (Referees' Association), Reg, Frost, L. Best (Federal), M. A. Nightingale, N. L. Savage (Wakatii), E. Delaney, E. Parker (Waimoa), A. Forster (United), IT. Bourne-Webb (Wakatu Indies), C. Lip. scombe (Mottieka sub-association), AT. R. Best (lion, treasurer), and S. J. Wilson (bon. secretary). ANNUAL REPORT The thirty-third annual report stated: Club membership and teams: During the season five men’s clubs and five ladies’ clubs were affiliated direct to •(lie Association in addition to the subAssociatinns at Motueka and Golden Bay. The number of teams competing in each A Grade of the Association’s competitions was: Men’s senior, five; men’s junior, five; ladies’ six. Four schools were represented in the schoolboy competitions.

Championship competitions were closely contested, a play-off between Stoke and Federal being necessary in the senior division. Results were as follows: Senior, Federal; junior, Stoke; ladies, Uewa A; schools, Stoke.

Charity Cup: At the conclusion of (lie championship games the men’s senior and junior Charity Gups were competed for resulting in Federal winning the senior cup and Stoke the junior.

Dressy Clip: Five challenge matches were played Ibe holders Rewii being successful iu retaining the cup by a win and a draw. Six-a-sidc tournament: On 3rd June I lie annual men’s senior and junior six-a-sidc tournament was held,. the winners being senior, Federal A; junior, Stoke. The. ladies and school six-a-sido set down for the sth August were unfortunately, on account of bad weather postponed, entrance fees being returned to the various, .clubs. The schoolboys six-a-sidc was played at the end of flieir competitions the Stoke team winning. Your Association was able to obtain from the Herbert Smith Trust for trophies seventeen schoolboy sticks. These were presented to flic winners of the championship and six-a-sido games. Representative* matches: Motueka.— Owing to difficulties with grounds only a senior team visited Nelson from Motjioku. However a. senior and a junior (earn travelled to Motueka. The games were all closely contested and enjoyable. Results: At’ Nelson, 3 all. At Motueka, senior, Nelson won 3-2; junior, Moueka won 4-3. Marlborough.— Although great efforts were made to obtain a visit and dates were fixed on two occasions the Marlborough Association were unable, to visit us. Two men’s teams visited Blenheim and good games ended in a draw 5 all for the senior team and a draw 2 all for the junior team.

Pope Challenge Shield: A ladies’ team comprised of players from this Association and the Motueka sub-As-socintion travelled to Blenheim in quest of the Shield. The result of the game \vas 6-1 in favour of the holders. Tho game however was reported on as a good one. All India : Your Association were fortunate in being able to arrange a game against the All India. Touring team. Great efforts were made to obtain a Saturday match but as that was impossible your Association accepted a Tuesday match. The players were with us from Sunday, 3Qth June 'until . the evening Of .Tuesday, 2nd July. Thanks to the work clone by' the staff' at tile Park the ground was in excellent condition with a perfect, surface. The game was a thrilling exhibition, the All India team being the victors by 12 goals to nil. We wish to congratulate those players rnpresehting the Nelson district. The members of the All India team slated they enjoyed the sporting play of their opponents, the condition of the ground, and the refereeing. A programme of entertainment was carried through and the visitors appeared to enjoy their visit to this district. Air bnartermain representing the . N.Z. TTockev Association was with the visitors and was most helpful. Grounds: Town games were plaved at the Botanical Reserve and . Pioneer Park while grounds at Stoke and Richmond were used for the country, games.

Until the beginning of August, grounds were in fair order but following heavy rain the Botanical, Reserve ground was in rather bad condition for the latter part of the season. Finance: Your committee wore successful in raising guarantee to the extent of fifty pounds necessary for the financing of the overseas visitors. The gate for the All India game was most satisfactory, the net profits after providing for expenses £lB5 3s 7d being £l23°lßs 5d as disclosed by the state, merit. A grant of £ls was made to the touring fund and this with the amount raised by the social committee lias greatly cased the burden of touring Teams during the past season. The present balance shown on the statement of receipts and expenditure is £124 5s 7d less £7 5s lOd. Social committee fund is £9B 12s in excess of the amount brought' 'forward •• from the previous season ; a most satisfactory position. The report concluded with thanks . to various people including the St. John Ambulance,- the “Evening Mail,” and guarantors for the Indian match. It was also stated that the vice-pres-ident had received well earned promotion and has been transferred to another district. “We wish to take this opportunity of recording the long invaluable services rendered to the game of hockey by Mr. Gallen and to wish him good luck. A suitable farewell was rendered to Mr Gallen on his departure by the members of tho Referees’ Association and this Association.”

PRESIDENT’S REMARKS

The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, mentioned the loss sustained in-the transference of the vicepresident, Mr W. Gallon, to Dunedin Referring to the Indian visit he said lie considered they were remarkably fortunate, through the co-operation ol clubs, business men, the sporting spirit in Nelson and the weather, lie thought that the two Indian games had shown that it was possible to draw large tjrowds to Trafalgar Park for games. •The Indians of Wellington had formed a club and lie considered that this womd stimulate interest, in tactics. In regard tio grounds the president had conterrecl with the mavor and had seen plans tor grounds on the reclaimed land, and they might expect better grounds in the future. Unless they had bettm •hounds they would never make progress. He understood the Stoke club Were going to do all they could to improve their ground. In the matter of fees lie did not think hockey players contributed enough. If they paid more the Association could do more and pay some rental and demand that the grounds be better attended to. Unless, they took an adequate interest in their 'juniors they were not. going to get their hockey players of the future, the president went on. They did not go far enough back, and, look after the primary schools. Appreciative rcfSrence y r as also made of the work of the secretary. Mr Bourue-Webb thought that hockey players should he grateful to the As sociation for the way the Indian match was arranged. Mr Smith considered the management committee was to be congratulated on the material results of the Indian match. He also appealed for the assets to he shown in the balance sheet.

The report and balance sheet were adopted. A notice was brought forward according to notice that the executive, consist of the officers and one representative from each of the financial registered clubs. “ The chairman said they needed the strongest, committee irrespective of club. The members, too should not he delegates of their clubs, seeking to get the most for the clubs they represented.

Air Smith endorsed these remarks. The present system, whereby members were elected, to do their best for hockey. as a whole, he considered to be the best- way.

Mr Nightingale supported the prev ions speakers.

Mr Bourne-Webb said they would get

nowhere if the club spirit was brought onto the executive. The motion was lost. A

ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr H. R-. Duncan; president, Mr J. W. Russell, vice-president, Mr C. W. Lipscombe; lion-secretary, ; Mt Reg. Frost (after a ballot); lion-treas-urer. Mr M. R. Best; .management com-j mittee, Messrs L, Best, 11. . Botirne-j Webb, S, J. Wilson and M. A. NiJht-i ingale ' (after a ballot); bon. auditor,: Mr 11. C. Fletcher ; delegates tb the New Zealand Hockey Association, -Mr R. Grade, delegates to Ney Zealand 'Women’s Hockey Association, Miss AT. Gilfedder; senior selector, Mr Cl W. Lipscombe ; junior selector, Mr W. H. Grimmett; ladies’ selector, Mi" 11.. Bourne-Webb (after a ballot). . Mi; W. J. Gallen was elected a life member, and Mr G. L. Page an additional honorary member. ,' ; :' :! -

GRIDING OF TEAMS • Mr Nightingale moved according to notice that, with a- view to raising'the standard of Nelson hockey, thtf 'senior competition he limited to four teams, and thafT an intermediate grade be formed, the management- committee to have power to grade players. Tlie motion was seconded by Air Bonrne-Webh. Tiie principal was supported by the chairman. Mr Smith moved an amendment that it he referred to the management committee for consideration to carry the proposal into effect if possible wit.) such modification as they may deem necessary. Air Savage seconded the amendment which was carried. It was resolved that the ground fees be the same as last year. : A motion hv Air Wilson that an /additional levy of 10s per club he made to cover rent to the City Council foi the grounds, was carried. . It was resolved that friendly games hr nlaved on 18th April and that competitions he started after that. The openin'! games will he championship ganies. It was moved that it he a recommendation to the clubs to give a- donation to the St. John Ambulance Brigade. A suggestion was brought from the Federal Club that the Association reduce its status to B grade so. that it could compete for the Norden Cup. ■ An amendment that trie matter he deferred until the Association is in : position to send a touring team, nan carried.