WAIRARAPA HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9155, 31 July 1908, Page 5

WAIRARAPA HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

THE ANNUAL GATHERING

The annual smoke concert of the Wairarapa Hockey Association was held in the Central Hotel last evening, at which there was a large attendance of members, the chair being occupied by the President (Mr A. C. Major). The toast of the Wairarapa Hockey Association wis proposed by Mr W. J- O'Meara, in a speech in which he referred to the progress of hockey. Enthusiasts in Martmborougli. Featherstou, Eketahuna and Greytown were talking ol coming into the Association, and with these additional clubs the Association should be considerably strengthened. He hoped the Association would be improved year by year, and become a strong institution. He would like to see the Association in a stronger financial position, and next year he hoped that a small charge for admission to matches would be made.

The President, in responding to the toast, referred to the statement of the proposer re making a charge for admission. He thought the suggestion of making a charge a good one, provided it would not interfere with the attendances. The interest in hockey had increased considerably during the last two years. In fact, the progress made had been remarkable.

The Secretary proposed the toast of the "President," and referrc.i in eulogistic terms to the encouragement given by the President to the development of the game in the Wairarapa. He was satisfied that there was no one who would give more en couragement to the game, or who would look more keenly after the interests of hocKey players in the Wairarapa. He mentioned that the President had donated badjes for the successful players in the seven a-side tournament, which had bpen arranged as a conclusion to the season. He considered for various reasons that the Executive should be comprised ot non-players, and he felt sure that the President would be only too willing to assist on such an executive. •

The President, in responding, referred to the kind manner in which the toast had been received. He assured them that it was an honour and a pleasure to be President of the Association. If it was in his power to assist the Association, nothing would give him greater pleasure. The Secretary's suggestion that there should be an executive composed of non-players should be considered, and he thought it was a good one, and if he were called upon he would be pleased to give any assistance that he could.

In presenting the Major Gap to the winners of the Championship compe tit ion, the Carterton A team, the President mentioned that the Cup was won by hard, solid work, and the winners were honestly entitled to hold it. The conditions were that the Cup was to be won outright, three times in succession, or four times nt intervals. The victors had to win it once rr.ore, and it would become their own property. He pointed out to the other teams that the Cup was rapidly becoming a "vanishing quantity." Hockey in the Wairarapa had improved enormously during the last few years, and 1 e was satisfied from what he had feen from the seven a-side tournament that day that any seven players could have beaten any of the best elevens three years ago. He had much pleasure in asking Captain Fisher, of the Carterton A team, to accept the Cup with the hearty congratulations of the Association upon winning it. Mr Fisher, in responding, said that from the point of view from : their team the outlook had not been hopeful from the start, but they had entered into the game with a will, and with the determination to do their best, and the result was that his team were the winners of the Cup—(applause)—for the third I time. He concluded by asking the members of the Carterton A team to give three cheers for the President, which were heartily responded to. Other toasts honoured during the course of the evening were:—Messrs J. B. Rue and C. Carley, exSecretaries of the Association, and Mr A. Pragnell, Secretary of the Association, whose good work was eulogised by the Chairman. A very pleasant evening was concluded by the toasts of the Press and the Host and Hostess (Mr and Mrs F. S. Cooper), being suitably honoured.

The proceedings of the evening were considerably enlivened by songs and recitations, among the contributor." being Mfssrs H. Hall, W. J. O'Mearn, A Pragntll. W. J. Reynolds, H. Whitt, J. Gray, E. Tooby, G. G. MacFavlane, D. Pulaford. Beth the songs and recitations given during the evening were exceptionally good, and were much appreci ated by those present.