Hockey.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43218, 22 August 1907, Page 2

Hockey.

TE AROHA. v. MORRINSVILLE.

The above match was to have taken place yesterday afternoon at Morrinsville, but owing to the bridge at Waitoa being under repair, the drag was unable to get across, and though the ladies started to tramp to Morrinsville, they were unable to get there in time, and the match had to be abandoned. The weather was perfect, and a drag and two traps set out for Morrineville at 1.30 from Hogan’* stables, the genial “ Pat ” being in charge of the ribbons. Considering the weather we have experienced lately, the roads to the Waitoa bridge were in very fair order, and the ladies were looking forward to an early arrival at Morrinsville, when all. of a sudden a man jumped into the middle of the road, frantically waving hi» hands. The brake was put hard on to hold the ladies, and the foreman of the bridge contract came up and said “ can’t get across, if you like to wait till 10 o’clock to-night, I will let you across.” lt But we want to go to Momcsville, ” screamed a lady. “ There is another road a bit further back—pretty muddy, but if the drag was empty it would get round all, right.” . ■ “ Let’s go and wire to MorrmsJiß® saying we can’t get there as the bridge is down,” exclaimed an excited dams 9 ’- “ Come here/’ said the Secretary, “ and the committee will hold A meeting.” After a long consultation it was decided to inform Morrinsville they were coming, but would be an hour late. “ Just in time for afteoon tea,.” The wire was duly despatched, and then 18 young ladies paid a visit to the bashful blacksmith at Waitoa, but as he was unable to keep his eyes on his work the official photographer ordered the ladies on.

A suggestion was made that instead of waiting for the drag they should walk slowly on, and the party started forward.

Photographs of the party were taken at different stopping places along the route and as the photographer was getting hot-headed with looking after 18 young ladies, he was put into the creek to get his blood cool again. The party now began to separate, the more energetic members going ahead. A number stopped at th# Tatua station, while the rest made for afternoon tea at Morrinsville. They eventually met some of the railway staff on a jigger, near Murray’s, who advised them to get back to Tatua and wait there for the ‘‘Flying Dutchman." The ladies took possession of the jigger, and with the centre-half and right wing at the machinery, good progress was made back to Tatua. The Tatua party in the meantime had got nearly a mile along the line to Waitoa, when they were met by one of the staff of the Waitoa flaxmill who had kindly come to inform them that the drag had broken down and advised them to get back to Tatua to catch the train. With visions of the afternoon tea they intended to get at Waitoa the party also went back.

At Tatua a hallelujah meeting was held, various members giving catchy little songs to enliven the party, . By-and-.bye a haka and war dance from the ladies announced that the train was in sight, the engineer said he had never had such a welcome in his life, and the guard had to apply the Westinghouse brake to prevent the train running back. _ All aboard, and the train started again, and then a church collection was taken up to raise funds to pay . the train fare. After a lot of financing the required amount was raised, greatly to the guard’s relief, who was afraid he would have to have all the ladies arrested for travelling without paying their fare. ' At Waitoa three ladies and three gentlemen were picked up, to the great relief of the party, as word had been received by wireless telegraphy that the three men were still stuck in the mud near the dray, and no draught horses were available 'to haul them out. It appears the sulky stuck in the mud and as they broke a- portion of the harness, they thought they would waltfiback to Waitoa and leave the sulky M swim out. Mr McKee went ouKfrom town and brought the sulky hc^g*without any trouble, the road Spying improved in the meantinfp^C The excitement was too much for the engine and on the inclum her tween Waitoa and Waihou it had tq stop to get itself in hand again, the ladies meanwhile playing Morrinsville in the carriage and defeating them by two to one after an exciting game. ' . , , The train whistled, having been tq Waihou in the meantime and dropped the trucks of coal, and with a “ Now we shan’t be long we moved on again. . Another wait at Waihou to pick up the coal trucks and then the party were off for home and tea, which was badly required. In a few minutes Te Aroha was reached, and in response to eager enquiries as to who won, the reply was two to one, and, led off by the stationmaster, three rousing cheers were given for the ladies, who ? heartily responded. Though greatly disappointed at not getting a game, the party made the best of things, and the fun wasv** fast and furious all along the road. The only thing lacking was the I afternoon tea. From enquiries made we under? stand the contractor for tfie bridge is supposed to keep the road open, ana if such' is the case, he will probably