HOCKEY.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1557, 28 September 1912, Page 12

HOCKEY.

TBic "Bully-off."] THEY PUT THEIR NAME ON ITI Present Legend on the Shield—Canterbury, 1912. ' . We have fought the fight, we have run the race, and at last the victory is ours. The shield is now back on its old resting place. It is about two months sinoo the Cantabrians wrested it from us, and since then we have been spoiling for the fray. Last Thursday week our picked eleven left for the south full of hope and in good spirits. Last Sunday they returned to us— this time ful of joy—for with,theiu was the shield. Gleaming in the sunshine those on the wharf picked it out as the boat approached the shore. It is interesting to note that Canterbury have had their names engraved on the shield for the season 1911-1912. There is now not the slightest doubt that this will have to be erased. If all teams followed Canterbury's example, it would be quite possible for half a dozen names to bo placed on the shield in the same season. It is rather regretable that wo have no rules for guidance on the matter, but surely common-sense alone would tell that the Teal holders of the shield are those who have the trophy in their possession when the season closes. Had we followed Canterbury's example we should liavo had our names engraved several times in one season. However, this is a matter which the Now Zealand Association will decide, but the writer would like to voice his motion on the matter (whether anyone seconds it- or not), and it is this: "That Canterbury's name should bo erased from the trophy

Notes on the Last Shield Game. Discussing tho individual performances of our men in the shield game, it is pleasing indeed to note that Dwyer.tlie veteran of many shield games, was once more the hero of the match. His defence was superb, and tho manner in which ho stayed off shot after shot calls forth for higli praise. Well dune, Dwycr! Baker and M'Eldowney, in the full-back line, both acquitted themselves very well. Baker played the better game of the two, although M'Eldoivaey proved good in defence. In the half-line, M'Gregor was the shifting light. He had Throp well marked right throughout tho game, and gave a sterling exhibition. His goal from the penalty corner was an excellent offorj:. Campbell played well, although it is as a defender, rather than an attacker, that he is most conspicuous. Thompson, on the left wing, worled hard throughout the game. All the forwards played really well, although, as expected, tho Strack brothers wcro most prominent. Loader's leg gave way after the commencement of the game, so "that ho was really a passenger. Davies and' Reed also performed well. Some Canterbury Opinion. The following from the "Weekly Press" will show that hockey ill Canterbury is not really so popular as it is in our midst, and, judging by tho strain of the article, they are not sorry the shield has gone. When Canterbury won the shield from Wellington, the Northerners were, with one exception, eager to convince tho Canterbury men tlint they were only too pleased to be rid of the shield. Now I think that I am light in saying that, from a financial point of view, Canterbury are not at all sorry to lose'it. The support tendered by the G'hristchurc.h hockeyites in all the four shield games has been very poor, and, in fact, the outside public have been much more liberal. Tho gross takings from the various matches ore as follow :-Aucklnnd, Xlt 12s. fid.; West Const, ,£l6; llawke's Bay, .£lO 13s. Cd.j Welling-* ton, J3I 9s. From this has to be deducted Lancaster Park, Ltd., share of proceeds, 'it per cent., and preparation of ground expenses averaging over .£2 per match: advertising, at least .£8 per match, cost, rf entertaining visitors, about ,C(i per match. Thus it may be ensily seen that the C.lt.A. have" received very little for the immense amount of (rouble they have b?en put to,' the net. return being about .£2O far all four matches. It rost the sswintion in nxpenvs to ftet the (shield iifwh" J-ii. which with incidentals prnclically vripej out any tuiplui,