HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1419, 20 April 1912, Page 12

HOCKEY.

EVER-CHANGING PERSONNEL. fBl "BULLT-OFK."] Men Who Will Bo Missed. . Saturday next, April 27, will see the commencement of this popular winter pastime, and judging by the entries already received prospects for a good season aro very fair. As is usual at the commencement of each season, several old players will retire, giving the junior men a chance to show their worth. Among two of the oldtimers 'rctiriug are Claude Hickson and Smythe, two players who have worthily represented their province and helped to hold high the prestige of Wellington hockey. Then again we are losing a very worthy player in Organ, one of llio most popular figures on tho field. Owing to pressure of business, he has been obliged to relinquish the office of president of the Wellington Hockey Association, in which capacity he has rendered excellent service isut he will not bo lost to ns altogether, as we shall sea him wielding tho whistle in tho near future.

Mr. C. N. Cathie, wlm so kindly offered his services as president, vice Mr. Organ, has" already shown keenness, and promises to worthily follow his predecessor. As long as wo have men like Mr. Cathie and Mr. A. Bennett nt the wheel, Wellington hockey need have no fear. Changes in tho Seniors. Coming to the tcoms themselves, on paper Knrori appears to be ensily tho strongest in tho senior competition. New additions aro Williams?** cx-Thorn'don Club, and two of Inst year's representative team, and Loader and R. Parton, both of tho Y.M.C.A. Club (now disbanded). Theso new members should prove a great help in an already strong combination. Victoria College will, as usual, place a good fast team on the field. Besides retaining the services of tho Strack Bros., and Salek, they havo secured W. Dunn, late of the Wellington Club, who will materially strengthen their forward line. One is inclined to predict tho College will have one of the fastest eet of forwards in tho competition. Enited's team will be full of that magic thing—"new blood." Organ, Hickson, Exlcy, Holland, Smythe, nnd Jones (all in last year's team) will bo absent this year, but with several promising juniors the forward lino will be stronger than flint of last year. Andrews, who was a "frost" on tho wing, but nfterwnrds played so brilliantly as "bully," will again act in that capacity, and with M'Eldownev, Dwyev, liid Thompson in the rearguard, United will have to be reckoned with. The Wellington Club _ looks forward With hope at having a fairly strong combination, although several old faces will bo gone. Dunn, who was tho mainstay of tho forwards, will bo playing for College, whilst Eundle has been removed to Christchurch. In tho half-line, Dobson (whoso death from drowning at Lyall Bav is deeply regretted) will be sorely misled. There is a rumour abroad that Hnrtv may return at tho end of May. If so ho will greatly strengthen not oiily liis club but also Wellington bockey genernlly. Wesley Club's team will be much the samo as last year's. Government Life Insurance are "this year playing senior grade, and their consistently good performances in the past thoroughly uphold their action in stepping upwards. Metropolitan, after playing as juniors for two seasons, will again be numbered amongst the seniors. Two years ago, several of their best players went away, and it was deemed advisable to play second grade. IJowever, they havo obtained several first-class players, amongst whom Baker (ex-Auckland representative; will bo a valuable aid. Y.M.C.A., as above-mentioned, havo disbanded, so that iu place of six senior tenuis last yeir we will have seven this venr and as iho association has mailers well'in hand for sending a represer.tntivo team awav about the end of May, we can rest assured that these young players will be "going all out." Last, But Not Least.

Thrco new junior teams will take tho field, viz.—St. Augustine's, of Petone, St. Aidnu's, and All Saints'—so we shall have fifteen teams in place of twelve last year.

'I'lie third grade will see ten' teams battling for supremacy, ns against eight last year, so thi< competition should prove highly interesting.