TOO BOGGY.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12963, 30 May 1935, Page 4

TOO BOGGY.

REC. NOT FIT FOR HOCKEY MATCHES

PAHIATUA MISSED THE INDIANS. Mr T. F of Newman, secretary of the Rush Hockey Association, interviewed by a 4 * Hera id r presentative, said that consider. 9c the inclement weather, the visit of the international All Indian team to Eketahuna last week to play Rush had been very successful. It was estimated that 900 people witnessed the match and had the day been fine probably 1.500 would have attended. As it was the gate takings totalled £6l 5s 6d and the local Association would just about clear itself. “But rep. matches of that nacure should be held here in Pahiatua,” he remarked. ‘lt is more central for one thing.** “Why are they not held her** then?” was the reporter’s query.. “You haven't got a ground.'* came the ready retort. “Your Recreation Ground at any time is tinfit to play a rep. match on. There is absolutely nothing else to say for it. Even it the surface was all right it is as ‘boggy as blazes’ and that does not tend to the playing of good hockey. A little drop of rain a few days before a match renders that turf too soft for play. “The Rorough Council at Eketahuna, on the other hand, treat us well,” he continued. “They charged us nothing for the ground lor the Indian match. They put it in great order too. They had lawn mowers right over it and handrolled it too. They had concrete slabs put in at the entrance gates to stop a muddy hole being churned up and they strengthened the stand. ‘ ‘lf you had a decent ground here,” he added. “we would certainly swing some of the rep. games back here. Our matches with Dannevirke and Palmerston North. lor instance, we would not take to Eketahuna. We would not take the visiting teams past Pahiatua. The rep. games should be divided up Woodville gets the sevt ;i-a-side on June the third. When the games were on the Rec. here we used to have to play in long grass and rushes. If there is no decided improvement in the ground there will be no hockev matches -in Pahiatua.”