WAIRARAPA HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10022, 19 April 1910, Page 5

WAIRARAPA HOCKEY ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING.

THE SATURDAY COMPETITION.

The annual meeting of the Wairar*>pa Hockey Association was held in Rankin's Rooms, last evening. Mr A. C. Major (President of the Association) occupied the chair, and there was a record attendance.

The following delFgates were present—Messrs W.. J., A. J. Ffsher, E. F. Fairbrother, Carterton; J. B. Rue, H. Donald. J. V. Gordon ar.d A. Dixon, Knox; E. U. B. Daniel, G. R. Dickson, W. Hornblow, Excelsior; M. Mcintosh and S. Hunter, Post and Telegraph; C. Cole and A. J. Berry, S. Matthew's; W. Mitiett, Masterton; and the Secretary. Mr A. C.Pragnell. The following is the annua! report: --In submitting this report of the past season's events, I beg to congratulate the Association on its present position, both on the high standard of play shown by all tearrs affiliated to the Association, and also on the financial position. In regard to finances, you will note that we commenced the season with a debit balance of £2 5a 7d, and ended with a credit balance of £ls 9d 3d, which places the Association on a good financial footing, and a position which probably has not been attained since the inception of the Association.

Membership—The number of Ulubs affiliated durins: the seasot* were three, from which seven teams were entered, three contesting the senior championship,' the remaining four were contestants for the junior championship. *•

"Major Cup"—This with the championship for 1909 was won by the Carterton "A" team, who having 1 won it the stipulated number of times, the Cup now becomes their own property. The winners are to be congratulated on the high elasa of play shown by them all through the season.

"Booth Cup"—This handsome trophy presented bj W> H. Booth, Esq., to be contested for by junior teams, was tha result of keen coinpetition, and the winners "Knox," are to be commended for the way in which they played the game, as the standard of play all through the competition was very hign for juniors, especially as it was the first season of junior hockey under the Association. The Association is indebted to Mr Booth for his great interest shown in the welfare of the juniors and in all hockey players in general. Five A-Side Tournament—At tbe_ close of the season this tournament was held at Carterton, and resulted in the Carterton A, team winning the senior badges, which were kindly presented by "Our President." The junior competition was won by the W.F.C.A. "A" team, who were awarded the 'Bannin Banner,' whfch was presented by W. J. Bannin, Esq., another of our keen supporters, who believes in showing his interest in a practical manner.

"Our President"—To whom the Wairarapa Hockey Association owes ao much for its success during past seasons, and to whom the sincere thanks of the Association and alb hockey players are due, and are Jheartily given to Mr Major for the great and kindly interest which he takes in the welfare of the game. Referees—lt is generally a difficult manner to obtain gentlemen who are willing to take over the responsibilities of this office, but fortunately we were able to prevail on the good services of Messrs O'Meara, Mcintosh, Rosson, Noble-Campbell, Iveson, Bannin and Kitcheu to whom the thank of the Association are due, and it is hoped that their valued services will again be at our disposal. Grounds—The decision of the Association to take over the control of grounds on which Cup matches were played, proved to be a move in the right direction, and it is to be hoped that the same condition of grouni control will again prevail. Visit of English Team—This visit will probably be an accomplished fact during next season. Our Association's offer of £SO foi a match with Wairarapa, was accepted by the governing body, and steps are now being taken to raise the required sum. It is to be hoped that all players will not leave any stone unturned which will help in getting the desired amount should the match eventuate it will be every player, junior and senior, who will participate in the education tobe gained by witnessing the play of the Englishmen. Representative Matches—We received visits from the Wellington, Wellington Wednesday and Manawatu representative senior teams, the first mentioned resulted in a drawn game, and the two latter were won by the home team. The Wellington junior representatives were also amongst our visitors and were successful in defeating our first junior representative team, but the latter were more successful against the Manawatu juniors at Palmerston North, as they won this game somewhat easily. The senior team toured as far North as Napier, and were successful in defeating Dannevirke and Waipawa sub-unions, but were unsuccessful against Hawke's Bay, Our Association now owe visits to Auckland, Wanganui, Manawato.

Nelsoi and tha three Wellington teams. It is to be hrp;d that some of these will be paid, if not all, during the coming season. Challenge Shield—This is now held fry th 3 Wellington Association, and a challenge from our Association has been accented, and tha match ■will in all probability take place faitly early in the season, so it be. coves all players to obtain as much practice ss possible in order that a strong team may be sent in pursuit of the much coveted trophy, as if it is brought to tha Wairarapa it will undoubtedly give a great impetus to the game in our district. In conclusion. I beg to offer thanks to the officers of the Association for assistance given, to the secretaries of clubs with whom it lias always been a pleasure to work with, and to the Press for their unfailing willingness to help the game when in their power, and last but not least, all players for many courtesies shown. Trusting that the game of hockey will make still further and substantial progress during the coming season, I have the honour to be, yours obediently, A. C. Pragnell, Hon. Sec. W.H.A. The report was adopted. Affiliation was granted to the following Clubs:—Bxcdsior, " " and two juniors: Post find 'JMe<ranh, one senior; and St. Matthew's one I'inior. The nuwly-formed Martir.borough Club wrote stating that it would enter a senior and possibly a junior team on condition that their matches with Masterton teams be played at Greytown, and that home and home matches be played with Carterton. It wag unanimously decided to accept the affiliation of the club on these terms. .After considerable discussion as to tho status of the players and teams for the proposed Saturday competition it was decided, on the motion of Mr*A. J. Fisher, "That for any team playing on Saturday the nomination fee be 15s, and that such teams appoint their own management com mittee to make all arrangements for their matches," The election of officers for the season resulted as follow: President, .Mr A. 0. Major; Vice-Presidents, Messrs W. C. Buchanan M.P., W. Howard Booth, H. H. Donald, W. Pragnell, A. W. Cave, A. Nicol, W. J. Martin, D. Caselberg, and S. Inder; Delegate to New Zealand Hockey, Association, Mr W. E. Burley, of' Addington; Secretary and Treasurer, Mr A. C. Pragnell: Auditor, Mr J. B. Rue; Management Committee, Messrs J. Fisher, A. J. Fisher, H. H. Donald, M. Mcintosh, W. Minatt, and the President and secretary, ex officio; Postponement Committee, Messrs A. C. Pragnell, S. Fairbrother, and L. E. Lyons. It was decided to leave the matter aof arranging for grounds and referees to the Management Committee. Mr Donald moved, Mr Minett seconded, and it was unanimously carlied, that "In the opinion of this Association the governing body of the New Zealand Hockey Association be shifted from Christchurch to Wellington, and that all the Associations in New Zealand be circulated, asking them to co-operate in the movement." The President stated that as the "Maor Cup" had been won outright by Carterton last season he would donate another cup for the senior competition. It was decided to open the season with the championship matches on May sth, and that nominations of teams should close on the 28th inst. During the meeting severaeu'ogistic references were made to the highly satisfactory manner in which the secretary, Mr Pragnell, had carried out his duties during the year, and on the motion of Mr Mcintosh, it was decided that a bonus of £3 3s bi granted him. '