FRENZIED HOCKEY.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10074, 21 June 1910, Page 4

FRENZIED HOCKEY.

! The spirit of vindictiveness and general characteristics of unrestrained roughness that have entered into the exposition of the Australian game oi football in Victoria, appear to have communicated themselves to the pastime of hockey as indulged in by young ladies of the same State. For some reason or another football in Victoria seems to have, attracted all of the worat elements in the community to witness the different contents— leather-lunged '' barrackers'' who delight not so much in the prospect of seeing really scientific play, [as in the possibility of viewing exchanges of personal violence. This same hoodlum element is said to be demoralising ladies' hockey in Melbourne, and is occasioning a widespread demand for immediate steps to be taken to either end or mend the game. It appears that the young women of Melbourne bave determined that the footballers shall not enjoy a monopoly of disgraceful tactics, and In consequence the contests decided during the past few weeks have been I distinguished for scenes of wild scuff - lings and general disorder. More or | less serious personal injuries, torn sweaters ana skirts, are the.accomI paniment of every encounter. Spectators of both sexes assemble on every occasion of a hockey game, and vie with each other in exhorting their favourite side to give their opponents what is known in tb.9 jargon of the gutter as "one." The moral effect upon the young women taking part in such degrading exhibitions is incalculably bad—it couldjbe scarcely otherwise. As a contrast, ladies' hockey matches in New Zealand are models of order, respect for the players, and a friendly rivalry which, bubbles over with good temper on , all sides. ■ •