WAIRARAPA HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 3158, 8 April 1909, Page 5

WAIRARAPA HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING,

The annual meeting of the Wairarapa Hockey Association was held in the Y.M.C.A. last evening. There was a good attendance, and the chair was occupied by the President, Mr A. C. Major. The report showed that the number of clubs affiliated to the Association during the season were six, from which eight teams were entered, six contesting the championship conducted on Thursdays, the remaining two being Saturday clubs, for which there was no competition. The total number of members of the different clubs amounted to 130, which was a satisfactory increase. The "Major Cup Championship" was again won by the Carterton A team; who were also successful in winning the seven aside tournament, for which handsome badges were donated by the President. The establishment of a junior competition should have the consideration of the Association this year. It was to the young players that the game must look for its successful continuance, and it would be more encouraging for the young players if a competition was started where they could look for better games and higher prospects. At the commencement of last season Mr W. J. Bannin intimated his intention of presenting a banner for such a unfortunately not enough teams were forthcoming. The prospects, however, for this season were much brighter. To the President, Mr A. C. Major, the Association,owed a great deal for its success during past seasons, for it had been through his practical interest in the Association that such keen competition had continued amongst the different clubs. The thanks of the Association and all hoakey players were due to the President for his kindly interest in the game.

The thanks of the Association were also due to the referees, Messrs O 'Meara, Mcintosh, Rosson and Noble-Campbell, for the capable way in which they had controlled the games of the] Association, and it was hoped that their valuable services would be again at the disposal of the Association. The Association would do well to consider the advisability of taking over the control of all grounds on which Association matches were played. It would then be possible to make some charge for admission. There was little prospect of the Association becoming financially strong until that was done, as the only source of revenue at present was the nomination fee from the different clubs. The Association looked forward with keen interest to the time whea the English team would visit the Dominion. Such a tour would tend to give hockey a groat lift.

The representative matches plaved during the season were against Wellington, at Wellington, and Nelson, at Masterton, the Association losing the former match and winning the latter. Visits were owing to Auckland, Wanganui and Nelson. Manawatu had promised to play their annual match this season. The thanks of the Association were also due to Mr W. E. Burley, of Christchurch, the Association's delegate to the N.Z.H.A. The reported concluded with the wish that during the coming season the game of hockey would make a substantial progress, as was noted during the past season. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

The election of officers resulted as follow:—President, Mr A. C. Major; Vice-Presidents, Messrs W. Moore (Carterton), Dr. Bey (Greytown), W.C.Buchanan, M.P., W. Howard Booth, W. Pragnell, W. H. Jackson, Rev. H. Watson; Delegate to N.Z.H.A., Mr-W. E. Burley; Secreary and - Treasurer, Mr A. C. Pragnell; Management Committee, Messrs W. Minett, E. R. Daniel, J. Gray, J. Fisher and A. J. Fisher, the President and Secretary. Messrs Pragnell and Sievers were appointed a Match Postponement Committee. Mr J. B. Rue was elected Auditor.

Tiie Cup fixtures were arranged to commence on the first Thursday in May, and nominations in connection with same were fixed to close on April 22nd. Mr A. C. Pragnell moved that the part of Rule 7 of the Rules of the Wairarapa Hockey Association referring to the number of delegates to form the Management Committee be altered so as to read "that the affairs of the Association shall be governed by a management 'committee consisting of the officers and the President and Secretary, five to form a quorum."—Carried.

Mr E. R. Daniel moved that Rule 6 of the Rules of the Wairarapa Hockey Association be altered to read thus: "That any club wishing to join the Association must give one week's notice in writing of such proposal, and be elected by a twothirds majority of the deleeaes present at the annual meeting; the at the annual subscription for associated teams shall be 30s for each senior team and 15s for each junior team, payable at annual meeting."—Carried. Mr Pragnell moved that a rule be inserted after Rule 7 to read thus: "That no proxies be recognised on the Management Committee."—Carried.