HOCKEY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143770, 19 April 1912, Page 4

HOCKEY.

NEW PLYMOUTH CLUB. As there were insufficient members present on Thursday evening to form a quorum, the annual mooting of the Now Plymouth Hockey Club had to be adjourned. It is a great pity that interest appears to he on the wane in this fine pastime. Towns far smaller than New Plymouth are able to support three and even four teams, whilst New Plymouth can barely support one. Last season scarcely a full team was put on the field, and the club played in only two out of the three rounds. The Territorial camp at liawera was partly to blame for the poor attendance, e.s several of the soldiers nro enthusiastic hockev players. The meeting was adjourned to .Monday, April 29, when it is hoped that there will be a largo attendance'.of members ‘and intending members. A practice' will bo held next Thursday on the'Racecourse ground, and nil old' players and those desirous of joining are asked to he present. The following is the annual report to be presented at the adjourned meeting: 1 The committee, in presenting the annual report, regretted that it could not ' compliment members on a very successful season. Most of the offices now observed Saturday as the weekly half-holiday, and this undoubtedly was' the cause of the scarcity of men avail-, able for play on Thursday. The clubf only took part in two rounds out of the three played, and in almost every, fixture was one or two men short. Thia had proved very disheartening to those anxious to maintain the prestige of the club, and had made several members participate in other games. If tin? club was to keep going it would necessary for members to pay more at* ■ tention to practice, which was the onhj * means of getting fit and gaining thfli necessary combination. The financial » statement showed a credit balance or £1 7s 9d, but against this'there wn/i £o which Mr. Fagan had donated towards a trophy for competition, in tt ie event of another club being form* d in New Plymouth, so that actual! ly there was a debit of £’3 12s 3d. Several new members were said to be avai 1able this year, and it was hoped thivt they would infuse new life into t) lo club and take over its managemen t. The thanks of the chib are due to D r. Fookes (president), to the Taranaki Jockey Club for the use of its ground s, and to the press for space given to 1j to game.