HOCKEY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 8190, 3 August 1912, Page 14

HOCKEY.

(By "Hoquet.") Though the prospects for fine weather this week-end seem bettor than they have been for the last fortnight, yet forecasts issued by tho Meteorological Department do not hold out much hope for sunshine this afternoon. Sticky grounds have up to the present been two prominent a feature, and a change would lie beneficial. So far this season players havo been deprived through inclement weather of two' playing Saturdays, and to a certain ex-'; tent it is well to know that no provision has to he made for shield games. Even, 1 providing no more postponements are forced upon us it is questionable whether the season will close before the weather becomes too warm for a winter pastime. Excerpt from a report of tho proceedings at a special meeting of the New Zealand Hockey Association in Christchurch last Monday evening: “The Canterbury Association wrote stating that when it received the shield from Wellington it was in a damaged condition. The secretary was instructed to write to the Wellington Association on the matter." Doubtless these lines will cause a great deal of surprise locally. If it be ns stated by tiie Canterbury laxly it is strange that something was not. said about the shield being damaged at tho "handing over’’ ceremony, either by Air Cusworth, who received the shield on behalf of Canterbury, or by those many keen eyed persons who took a "last look” at it prior to it changing hands. However, the writer can vouch that the shield was unharmed when he examined it in the early part of that evening. If reports that have reached me regarding the happenings on the voyage from AVellington to Lyttelton are correct perhaps it would bo advisable for the Canterbury Association to look nearer homo for an explanation, ns the shield was in good order up till the time of changing hands. Wellington’s challenge for the shield is evidently causing both tho New Zealand and the Canterbury Associations many anxious moments if the paucity of information from the Cathedral city is to bo taken as any criterion. At a meeting of the management committee of the parent body on Monday evening the matter was evidently considered, for in tho Lyttelton ‘-Times” of Tuesday appeared a brief paragraph, as follows: "A letter from tho Wellington Association stating that it wished to play for the shield as earlv as possible this season was referred to uie shield committee.” Comments in the Christchurch weekly papere, and the actions of tho southern, association give one (the impression that Wellington’s challenge is not viewed altogether favourably by the shield holders. The decision of the'shield committee of the New Zealand Association will be eagerly awaited. The Otago Hockey Association has definitely decided not to challenge Canterbury for the shield this season. It is said that the Canterbury Association will not benefit materially as a result of tho Auckland-Canterbiiry shield game. The gross takiugs amounted to £44 13s 6d, but, after paying a percentage to the Park authorities and defraying cost of printing, etc., there will he a balance of about £2O.

Though it is much to b© regretted the Now Zealand Ladies’ Hockey Association and tho Auckland Association failed to arrive at an amicable settlement of the point in dispute intending competitors at the tournament will ho -pleased to learn that the tournament is to take place at Christchurch. In consequence of tho change it is safe to predict that the entries will be larger than, would have have been the case had tho championships been decided at Auckland. South Island teams, which had already intimated their inability to make tho trip north on account of the expense, will now doubtless change their opinions, and decide to send teams to Christchurch. The question of expense is no small matter in sending perhaps thirteen or fourteen players away for a week, and sooner than undertake the'task of raising the necessary money several teams present at last year’s tournament held in Wellington intimated then that they would be absentees from this year’s tournament. Southland, Duller, and West Coast pleaded' inability to raise sufficient funds, but through the change will probably now. see their way clear to compete. Otago, though not represented at last year’s tournament should see its way clear to dispatch a tcajn this season. Nelson, tho champions, will no doubt he represented, but as for Marlborough it is not known yet what will ha done. Wellington, Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa. Manawatu, and Taranaki will nrohahly constitute the North Island contestants present, ns it is not expected Auckland will enter a team. However, should all these provinces enter there will be sufficient material to make the tournament a success, and if the garnet come up to last year’s standard Canterbury enthusiasts can be prepared for some surprises.

Preparatory to choosing the representative team that is to represent Wellington at the Ladies' Tournament trial matches will be played. This afternoon tho selectors will pick A and B teams, and the three following Saturdays will be devoted entirely to practice games. The competition will, therefore, remain undecided until after tho tournament.