HOCKEY.

Evening Star, Issue 4171, 10 July 1876, Page 3

HOCKEY.

The following description of what appears likely to prove a popular game in Dunedin is from a book entitled “ Country Games, ” Eublished by Routledge and Co,:-“ This ne old game may be played by any number. Each player must provide himself with a stick of oak, crab, or hawthorn, having a curved or crooked head at its lower extremity. A large meadow or open common is required for this game when the players are numerous. Two goals or bounds should be formed about 500 yards apart, each goal being indicated by two small flags. Sides are chosen, and chance decides which side is to. have the first strike at the little wooden ball, which is generally the object of contention. The ball is put down at about one-third distance from the striker’s goal, and the sides are arranged opposite each other. The aim of the players is to strike the ball over their adversaries’ bounds. This healthy and exciting game is called ‘ shinty ’ m Scotland, and ‘ baudy ’ and ‘ shinney’ in many parts of England and Wales. Irish ‘hurley’ differs from hockey, inasmuch as ‘the players are allowed to grapple and wrestle with each other, and this peculiarity renders the game much more dangerous than the English game of hockey. ’ ‘ln the west of England hurling is played without bats, the goals being sometimes five or six miles apart. Whoever can catch and carry the ball through his adversaries' goal wins the game.’ ”