HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 794, 18 April 1910, Page 5

HOCKEY.

WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPORT. In the eleventh annual report of tho Wellington Hockey Association (to be presented at the annual meeting tomorrow evening) congratulatory reference is mado to last season, which is termed by the cgmihitteo the most successful yet experienced since the inception of the association. The game of hockey has made great progress, as shown by the increase of teams since last year. The number of teams entered for the championships was thirtytwo. The committee anticipates with pleasure the prospect of a visit from an English eleven during 1911, and hopes it will be a fully representative onej and will give hockey a further impetus throughout the Dominion. • , Tho senior championship was again won by the United Club, which was the first club to hold the new cup, generously presented by Mr. M!Naught. Y.M.C.A. dub was runnor-up. ■■ The junior cup was won by the Metropolitan Club after a good contest. Government Life" being runner-up. The third-class grade was won by Victoria College, with Government Life runner-up. In representative matches the seleotors were' congratulated upon 'the success achieved by the teams from time to time. Of the many games played the match against Auckland, at Auckland, for possession of the Challenge Shield, was the outstanding feature of the hdekey season. In this game the Wellington team defeated Auckland by <3 goals to 1, ,and tho New Zealand Association's Ohallengo in consequence at present held by the Wellington Association. In all, nine representative games were played. The matter of grounds again proved a troublesome one for the committee. It has not been possible to avoid sending teams to some distance for their matches, and the grounds available have not always been satisfactory. % The committee hoped to make extensive use of the three grounds provided by the city, but these were in such bad condition, and postponements' were, .so ; frequent, that their acquisition was ,a somewhat mixed blessing. This year the committee has been able to secure only two grounds in the city, but it is expected that they will be in better order than last year. '

The thanks of the association are extended to Mr. W. G. Garrard for acting as Wellington's delegate to the, Jiew. Zealand Hockey Association, to Mr. M'Naught for the donation of a valuable senior cup, and to Dr. Faulke for a donation to the association's funds. _ The financial position of the association is said to be satisfactory, the association ha.ving for the first time legitimate credit balance. In view of the fact that the association will in the near future be obliged to secure playing grounds under a lengthy tenure, it is considered highly. desirable that it should' conserve its funds,' and .the committee impresses on the members of the association the necessity of bearing' this in mind.

Owing to the pressure of business the secretary and treasurer, Mr. L. E. Christie, retires from the positions held for twelve months,; and it will, tlieroforo, be necessary : to appoint n/ successor. i