Hockey.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 4 April 1914, Page 2

Hockey.

AN UTAKI DEPUTATION. A meeting of the Horowhenua Hockey Association Alanagement Committee was held 111 the Levin Hotel last evening. Present: Messrs \V. Broughton, E. AV. J. Smith, lt. S. Horn, and H. -ludd. Air Smith occupied the chair. The only correspondence received was a letter from the Otaki ciul is asking the committee to rereive a deputation on the question of forming a sub-union in thcsouthcrn end of the Horowhenua district. The deputation was formed by Afessrs B. Brown, H. Nicolson, Claridge, Howell and Davidson. All' Davison, on behalf of the deputation, said they came to the meeting to ask it to receive them in requesting permission to form a new union. Air Smith pointed out that the clubs eoncrnod were at preßent dis." qualified. They should first ask for re-instatement. Air Davison took it that the fact that the committee had called the meeting was sufficient evidence that they would be heard. Mr Nicolson considered the objection trivial seeing that the- dis--ounification lapsed on the 14th S&piL Air Davidson said that two new clubs (Paraparaumu and Waikanae) were in process of formation. The advent of these two southern clubs would make the district too large, and the travelling expenses would be too great to allow the northern and southern teams to compete for the championship. Paraparaumu and "Waikanae considered it so.

Mr Nicolson said that the request of the deputation was made in no spirit of opposition to Levin. They, simply wished to encourage hockey in the lower end of the district. Perhaps a_few odcl ones were moved by ulterior motives, but they were n negligible quan-, titv. Mr B. Brown said that if the deputation had come m an antagonistic spirit he certainly would not hove been there. Mr TV. Brought on thought the matter should be left to the annual meeting, when the whole matter eould be then discussed. He did not think there would be any obiection to the formation of a subunion to tlic Horowhenun Union. It was absurd to expect players to travel such long distances. Personally. he had 110 objection to the formation of a sub-union. Mr' Nicolson said thev wanted permission at once, so. that they could start to make the necessary arrangements right away. Mr Smith the deputation if it had considered the question of the position of'the ladies' clubs in Otaki. Mr Nicolson said the ladies' rlubs were quite agreeable to remain as they were and play with Levin. Mr Smith said lie did not think the New Zealand Hockey Association would favour a new union. They had no objection to a sub-un-ion. Mr Nicolson said the sub-union would have control of its own funds and could expend them to more advantage in their own district. Mr Horn said he would Tike to see the representatives of the north and south meet for the championship. The match for supremacy would be immensely popular. Mr Nicolson suggested that the boundaries of th© district for the sub-union be from Paekakariki to the Ohaii river. They had no objection to Levin players resident on the Ohau side of the river

or even in Manakau — still playing for Levin. Mr Horn thought the best thing they could do in the circumstances was to discuss the whole matter at the annual meeting. Mr Davidson said the Paraparaumu and Waikanae were waiting the result of the deputation before calling their meeting to form clubs. If they got nothing definite they would drop out. Mr Nieolson said they had no ' wish to form a sub-union unless they got Paraparaumu and Waikanae. Mr Davidson said they expected to get five teams in the sub-union. They were certain of four. Mr Nieolson said the formation of a sub-union would he an allround benefit. The sub-union would still be subject to the Horowhenua Union. t Mr vSmith pointed out that if two separate bodies were formed, neither would be strong enough to put a representative team in the field. Mr Nieolson said that if they could not get sufficient clubs to fcrm a sub-union they would apply for admission to the Horowheiiu'a Union. The sub-union would have power to spend their funds on their own grounds which required improving. Mr Thrown said that the Otaki Domain Board owed money at the bank and had no funds to put their grounds in order.

The deputation then withdrevr and the management committee, after a short discussion, decided that formation of a sub-union would be a good tliiug and in the interest? of hockey. The subunion wo\ild still be under the control of the TTorowhenua Hockey Association. Tliere was no danger of the sub-umou joining any other association. Mr Horn remarked that the deputation did not make themselves

as clear as they might have done; it seemed to him they preferred a separate union altogether. Mr J udd. said some tiling to that effect Jiad appeared in a heading on the subject in the Otuki Mail. Mr Bi •oughton said thei;e was no danger; the southern end could not form a union and Wellington did not want them. On returning the deputation was informed by Mr Smith that the commit tee agreed to give„.them permission to apply after the 14tb. iiist for a sub-union, boundaries, of such union to bo from Piiekaffyriki on the south io the southern boundary of the Wirokino riding (near AVaikawa river) 011 the north ; the sub-union to pay its own affiliation fees, if any: also to have the complete control of all moneys accruing to it from matches played by the clubs within its boundaries: the takings of combined representative matches to be equally divided. Air Smith said they were pleased to be able to come to an agreement, and lie hop?d the subunion would be a success. Air 11. Nicolson, on behalf of .the deputation thanked the committee.