HOCKEY

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2468, 22 May 1915, Page 14

HOCKEY

Mars and the Hockey Camo. If the God of Mars has ontered con- | siderable opposition, Jupiter Pluvius has at least kept in the Background, where the game of hockey lias been concerned this season, The former has called away quite a respectable number of last season's players, yet the game has struggled on so that as the season advances wo see six senior teams engaging in a fairly even championship contest, tvhile several junior teams are participating in the second-grade contest. The future is even more hope- | fill, in view of the advent of players from the Wednesday Association. A Shield or True patriotism? A question of considerable importance which the Wellington Association has yet to consider is whether Wellington will participate in shield games this season. Auckland and Otago have already given it out that they are strongly opposed to the games being played. And quite rightly so. It is doubtful whether in these troublous times teams are justified in journeying | to another province (wasting time and money) in doing battle with rival provinces? The two associations who have already voiced opinions and lodged protests are convinced of the wisdom of this. It is- understood that many members of the Wellington Association are of a similar opinion, so that in all probability we shall see the local Management Committee deciding at next meeting (when the matter comes up for consideration) to inform the parent body in Christchurcff that it is of the opinion shield games should not be played. If the Canterbury Association still persists in its challenge, then the only thing is for Wellington to hand over the shield to them. Crushed Out of Exlstenoe, The Wednesday Association, crushed out of existence by the successful vote for the Saturday half-holiday, is about to end its career of usefulness. The association was inaugurated about eight years ago (Mr. J. C. Cusack, the indefatigable hockey enthusiast, being one of the organisers), and has since continued an existence for which it is to be congratulated. Anyhow, this will suffice for the present, as next week "Spectator" proposes to give a detailed history of the association. The AVellington Association, however, is the gainer by the decease of the mid-week body, as the members and accompanying fees must inevitably find their way to tho more important body. Last Saturday's Cames. Last Saturday's games saw some interesting contests, notably the game between University and Karori. It was a freak match, and the final result (4 all) will make tho meeting between the two teanis in the' second round even more interesting. St. Augustine's need to pull themselves together and keep up to tho standard of their exhibition at the commencement of the season. They have tho men, the stamina, and a. fair amount of hockey science, so that they should really acquit themselves better in future. Insurance men, too, although at a big disadvantage with a "scratch" collection, need practice hard to save ! themselves from the disgrace of an "all beaten" record. Ladies' Disappointing. Ladies' hockey is hardly progressing as ono would expect this season. The call of the country has not affected them, and with tho hockey lesson from the English girls still fresh in their, mind, ladies' hockey should be forging ahead this season. We must look for something better than seeing one team being beaten by another by twenty-ono goals to nil!