HOCKEY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18365, 24 April 1925, Page 10

HOCKEY.

♦ N.Z. ASSOCIATION,

TKe twenty-third annual leport to bo submitted to tho meeting of the Council of the New Zealand Hockey Association on April 30th states that the outstanding features of tho year wero tho successful inauguration of the shield tournament, and also the keen competition among affiliated associations for the other challenge cups for competition in the various grades. 'J.ne ordinary rules relating to the challenge shield presented to the Auckland Association for tho best record were suspended during the season, and a tournament was held in Christchurch to determine the winner of the shield. Five entries were received, two from Canterbury and one each from Auckland, Wellington, and Manawatu. The Canterbury "A" team was successful in all -its matches, and Canterbury thus holds the shield for a further year. A feature of tho tournament was a conference of officials, players, and referees, at which a round table talk concerning tho best way of increasing the popularity of the game and efficient management were discussed. Tho Poverty Bay Hockey Association, the holders of tho Nordon Cup, played three challenge matches during the season, and the cup wo* still in its possession. • The Canterbury Association had held the junior challenge cup since the inauguration of these games in 1921. During the past season Canterbury successfully defended the cup against determined challenges from Otago and Wellington. . Canterbury's colours were lowered in the match against the Auckland representatives, and the cup had crossed Cook Strait for the first time. The 1924 season witnessed the becond game, for the possession of tho Rankin Memorial Cup for competition hetweon secondary school representatives, Otago again entering a challenge, "but was defeated by Canterbury by seven goals to one. The Hatch Cup for primary schools attracted only one match during the 1924 season, that between Canterbury, holders, and Otago', challengers. Canterbury was again successful in retaining the cup, defeating Otago by six goals to nil. No matches with overseas teams were played during tho 1924 season, but .arrangements have been made for the visit of an Australian representative team during the coming season, and the visit of a representative team from the British Army, India, in 1926. The. Australian .team will play nine matches in New Zeal-ind during July and August, the tour finishing with a teat match at which it is hoped that the rewly-founded Manning Memorial Cup will be at stake. This cup is being given by. players throughout New Zealand and Australia in memory of the late A. W. Manning, who did so much for hockey in the Dominion.

The Indian Army team will arrive in New Zealand in May, 1926. The past year resulted in an excess of income over expenditure amounting to £l7 6a Bd, the income totalling- £52 13s 2d, and the expenditure £35 6s 6d,.The balancesheet as at February 28th, ■ 1925, discloses assets £129 15s Bd, and liabilities £27 7s, leaving the accumulated fund standing at • £lO2 83 Bd. .

.SHEFFIELD LADIES' CLUB. The annual meeting of the Sheffield Ladies' Hockey Club was held recently. The, bal-ance-sheet showed'a very satisfactory credit balance of £l3 5s 6d. The following officers were elected:—Patron,-Mrs TV. Deans; president, Mr H. C. Townshend; vice-presi-dents, Messrs G. F. "Wright, G. H. Judd, J. B, Cullen, T. S. Innes, W. Sturgiss, W J. Jenkins,' .and A. W. Adams; captain, Miss A. McMillan; -vice-captain, Miss M. Townshend; secretary, Miss Lilley; delegates to the Sub-Union; captain and secretary.