HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 523, 5 May 1933, Page 7

HOCKEY HAPPENINGS

"Sticks.")

SEASON STARTS WELL FIRST GAMES MAKE OUTCOME OF COMPETITIONS OBSCUiRE. AN APPEAL TO ROTORUA,

(Notes by

The 1933 ladies' hockey season which commenced at the Government grounds last Saturday afternoo'n will probably prove the most momentous of the history of the game in Rotorua and if the first games are any indication will certainly produce a standard of play fully equal to that of past seasons. In contrast with the previous season's opening day, the weather was beautifully fine and this, comhined with a keenness which has never been surp'assed, no doubt largely aecounted for the excellenee of the displays of the various teams. Although the demise of a number of country clubs during the last two years is to be regretted, it has neverth'eless served to create a competition of clubs which have very little to separate them in the standard of their play and as a result of a reshuffle of players among the various teams, that standard this season promises to be remarkably high and provide matches which can only result in a considerable boost being, given to ■ the sport in the town and command the increased| patronage and support of the townspeople. In view of the aim of the Rotorua Association to this year secure the allocation of the most important annual fixture in Dominion ladies' hockey circles, this initial success of the season gives the association mueh encouragement dn its endeavour and j it only remains for the public to ap- ! preciate the value of such a tourna- ! ment to Rotorua for the tournament I to become a distinct possibility and to provide for the town an attraction i which has never been surpassed in its i history. Help for Town. Towards this aim, an appeal was i this week issued by the association j which should command the earnest J consideration of the various sections I of the community approached, all of which in some small or large degree1 cannot but fail to derive some benefit from the seheme. The influx of such a large number of visitors into the town for at least a week must of necessity bring a considerable amount of capital into the town, and it theref ore needs little vision to see that that capital will be distributed among the townspeople either directly or by providing work for those at present employed or for those who are at the present time less forunate. In its appeal to the town, the association has given considerable thought to the direction in which each section of the community can further the

scheme by their co-operation and as a result of that consideration has evolved the following suggestions. 1. That the business people he approached to provide a nominal guarantee, or donation, against the possibility .of the association sustaining a loss in the venture.' Should every businessman in the town assist in this direction with a guarantee or donation as suggested, the association would be provided with a fund which would guarantee it making application for the tourney and at the same time place a very light burden on the businessman. 2. That the hotel and boardinghouse proprietors he asked for special rates for players and officials and to offer to billet one or two players. 3. That a general appeal be issued to householders to billet any number of players within their means, approximately 100 of these billets being necessary for South Island teams, which are put to a considerable expense in travelling expenses alone. It will he seen therefore that all sections of the community have an opportunity to co-operate with the association in its endeavour to provide for Rotorua the class of attraction and tourist business in which it is in urgent need during the winter months. Taking the total number of visitors at a conservative estimate of 500 persons, it will be readily seen that apart from accommodation, the ordinary miscellaneous expenditure of these people in the town will amount to many hundreds of pounds, and adding* accommodation, to some thousands. Most of this would circulate in the town and relieve many of the financial burdens of the "off" season. It therefore behoves each section of the community to assist the scheme with every means at its command and to intimate the extent of this to the association without delay in order that it may be in a position to make application for the fixture at the latest possible date allowed by the rules of the New Zealand Council, May 31. In concludine: it might be stated

that it is apparently already generally considered hy most associations that the tourney will this year be held in Rotorua, an interview with Miss Mary Mclntyre, ex-Wellington and Southland representative, • dn the Southland Daily News providing justification for that hope. The Southern hoekey writer states that Miss Mclntyre is in great form this season and should find little difficulty in securing a place dn the Eastern team. He also reports her as saying: "I wouldn't mind a trip to Rotorua with Eastern." Notes on Players. Although she was not seen at her best last Saturday, Julie Chaytor will he a tower of strength to the Arawa team, with which she is playing this season. She is, however, more suited as a half-back than in th'e last line of defence. The Arawa side played a fine game against Shamrocks last Saturday but did not have the experienee of their strong opponents and some of their players are prone to stand off-side. The handicaps can be avoijied, however, and "Sticks" anticipaies seeing the team jwell placed in the season's competitions ' Some pretty passing was seen in th'e Shamrock forward line against Arawa and the hacks, led hy E. Mitchell, are as usual ia strong comhiriation. Taniwha have a nippy centre forward in M. Whiti and with more experienee this player should' be a eapable successor of that fine forward, T. Wharekura. Ana Hatoxwas also a prominent player in the Taniwha back line and

put in plenty of work clearing her territory of dangerous Mourea attack's. The Mourea side was not as sure with their stickwork as last season, but possibly this may be accounted for hy lack of practice.