THE POLO TOURNAMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10384, 8 March 1897, Page 6

THE POLO TOURNAMENT.

The New Zealand Polo Association's tournament, which will be held this week at Potter's Paddock, commencing to-morrow afternoon, promises to be of more than usual interest, not only to the players of the game, but to the general public, ior polo it is claimed, and rightly, in the admirable work on the game published in the Badminton Library, that no game "maKes a man more a man; none fits him more for the sterner joys of war, or enables him better to bear his part in the battle of life. Pluck, endurance, submission to discipline, good temper, calmness, judgment, quickness of observation, self-control, are all qualities essential. True indeed," says the same writer, " are the words which Mr. H. L. Bentley aptly siugs—

" For the daring turn and the skilful stroke, The over-quickeniny stride, The ring of the stirrup, the clash gf the stick, And the rush of the furious ride. _ _ Tim cheer when the ball through the goal is dnren By the steady hand and eye, Have a wild delight in themselves alone That can never grow old or die."

Polo was introduced iu New Zealand, now a good many years ago, by Colonel Shepherd, Christchurch quickly taking up the game warmly. Still, it was not generally enough known and played to please such a polo enthusiast as Colonel Savile, aide-de-camp to Lord Ouslow, during the latter's term of Governorship. The colonel wished that something could be done tn stimulate interest in it, and Mr. E. D.O'Rorke, the present captain nf the Auckland Club, and a manager of the New Zealand Polo Association, met that wish with the suggestion that a challenge cup for competition might effect the purpose. No sooner said than done; Colonel Saville presented the cup, it was duly competed for, and tho impetus then Riven the game has but gathered force since, until, at the present time, there are no less than 20 affiliated clubs in the colouy, of which 16 are iu tho North Island. At the time the Savile Cup was presented, the squadron was in port, the officers of which furnished a team.Auckland another. Mr. Arthur Rhodes bringing a third from Christchurch. Auckland and the Southerners met first, the home team being beaten. Christehurch also beat the Squadron, and took the cup with them South, as the result of the first New Zealand Polo Tournament plaved in Auckland. Thus was a start made. During the ensuing Parliamentary session, Mr. Arthur Rhodes and Mr. O'Rorke met at Wellington, aud putting their heads together decided to call a meeting of representatives of the various scattered clubs; this meeting eventuated iu the formation of the Zealand Polo Association. Thenceforward tournaments were held continuously, the cup being won in 1891, 1892, 1893 by Christchurch again; in 189-1 by Rangitikei, and in 1&95 6by Manawatu. Every year the plan has shown improvement. And though the game has been looked upon as somewhat a prohibitive one, the public have taken everincreasing interest in it: not surprising this with a horse-loviug nation, for the qualities required are hard, dashing riding, first-rate horsemanship, accuracy of eye and hand, and above all things unselfishness. For a country like New Zealand, polo is specially fitted, ponies being cheap, and nearly everyone able to ride. And over and beyond the interest the game has created, it has done good by proving the means of greatly enhancing the stamp of our ponies, several Arab importations having been made: thus the colony can now boast an excellent stamp. To take part in the tournament this week some nine or ten teams are expected, and over 100 visiting ponies. Once the tournament starts, to-morrow, two games will be played each afternoon, one being for the Savile Cup and the other for the Junior Cup. Kich game will be in three spells of 20 minutes_ with two minutes' intervals at the end of ten minutes, to allow of changing ponies. The sports to conclude the gathering will be held at Eilerlie. During the week visitors will be entertained at a ball, and the eugagements will probably include a harbour excursion. The decision to postpone the opening until to-morrow was arrived %t at a meeting ot the management committee, the opinion being that it would be advisable to ?ive the ponies from South a rest before commencing the tournament. A further meeting of committee will be held this morning to decide upon the hour of starting, due notification of which will appear in the advettising columns of the Herald of Tuesday morning. The majority of the members of the Oroua and Manawatu teams arrived on Saturday and were present at the local clubs' practice matches at Messrs. Hunter and Nolan's paddocks during the course of the afternoon, they taking particular interest in the play of the Saville Cup team. Quite a number of spectators also watched the play, and the visitors were accorded a hearty welcome by the members aud friends of the local club. Afternoon tea was provided by Mesdames T. Morrin (the president's wife) and W. K. Bloomfield. The Christchurch team arrived yesterday by the Takapuna and Tasmania, tho latter boat also bringing the Whiirerangi team, and the ponies of the two clubs. The Oroua and Manawatu clubs' ponies will be brought up by tho Glenelg to-day, and together with the whole of the visitors' pomes will be housed at the Potter's Paddock stables. Yesterday a number of the visitors went out to Potter's Paddock to inspect the grouud, with which they were highly pleased. The local club have not been playing on it for some time, and the recent spell of wet weather, and continual rolling and cutting, has wonderfully improved the surface. Being a full-sized ground, and in such favourable condition, it is quite on the cards that some fast galloping games will be witnessed during the course of the tournament.

An impression haa got abroad to the effect that invitations are being issued in connection with the ball to be given in honour of the visitors, on Friday evening next, but this is entirely erroneous. No invitations are being issued, and tickets are obtainable from members of the ball committee or local club members.

The Auckland Club's sports and races on Saturday next will be held ac Ellerslie, the A.R.C. authorities having kindly placed the racecourse at the disposal of the Polo Club.