HOCKEY AMONG MAORIS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18763, 20 July 1935, Page 16

HOCKEY AMONG MAORIS

IMPORTANCE OF GAME > DOMINION CONTROL DIRECT AFFILIATION A move is afoot to form a >few Zealand Maori Hockey Federation with direct affiliation with the New Zealand Hockey Association.

Steps in this direction were taken at the annual conference of the Tairawhiti Maori Hockey Federation held at Omahu, Hastings, on Thursday night, following the annual tournament, and if the proposals succeed they will comprise one of the biggest developments in Maori hockey there has ever been. Sir Apifana Ngata sponsored the proposal, and he reminded the conference of the big part these hockey tournaments played in bringing the Maori people together. In this respect, hockey had proved(Of greater benefit than any other sport. So great had been the success of the tournaments, Sir Apirana Ngata continued, it would' be wise to extend the boundaries of the Tairawhiti federation to -allow other teams to compete. At present, the Tairawhiti federation embraced only the Eastern Maori electorate. It was affiliated with the Poverty Bay Hockey Association. Maori football and tennis organisations were affiliated with their respective parent bodies, he added, and the time was ripe to affiliate hockey in the same way. He urged the formation of the New Zealand Maori Hockey Federation, and that the secretary, Mr. VV. P. Tamihana, should get into touch with the New Zealand Hockey Association asking for information regarding the best means by which direct affiliation might be procured. He believed that the assistance of the Poverty Bay Hockey Association would be secured, and there should be no insuperable difficulty with direct affiliation. Mr. Wi T. Pitt said' that the federation had received every help and consideration from tho Poverty Bay Hockey Association, which, he maintained, had done more for hockey among the Maori people than any other association among tho Eastern Maori people. He liod no hesitation in expressing the opinion that tho proposal for affiliation direct with tho parent body would receive every consideration from Mr. A. Cassia and other officials of the Poverty Bay Hockey Association. The secretary was Instructed to approach Mr. Cassin regarding the proposed alteration to the federation’s constitution, and seek his advice on the matter. It was decided to hold the next tournament at Waitnra, Taranaki.

TEAM TO PLAY INDIA STRONG SIDE SELECTED The all-Maori team to play India at Rotorua next Wednesday, selected after the tournament in Hawke’s Bay, is a strong and evenly balanced side. Five of the players are from Poverty Bay, one from the East Coast, one from Wairoa, one from the Bay of Plenty and three from Hawke’s Bay. One of the Hawke’s Bay men, W. McKay, was a prominent player in Gisborne a few years ago, and represented Poverty Bay on several occasions. The team selected to play India is as follows : Goal.—M. Ruru (Mangatu). Fullbacks.—R.. Pomana (Y.M.P.), M. Tareahu (Hawke’s Bay). Halves.—T. Amai (Bay of Plenty), J. Krueti (Hawke’s Bay), and R. Halbert (Y.M.P.). Forwards.—W. McKay (Hawke’s Bay), T. Haerewa (Porourangi, East Coast), C. Pere (Takitimu), S. Moeau (Y.M.P.), and M. Mangakahia (Wairoa). ■No reserves were chosen. The Rev. A. Hadfield has been appointed manager, and the team will travel to Rotorua on Monday.