Hockey Notes.

The Hockey Club has this year the distinction of being the largest in New Zealand. Seven teams have been entered in the Wellington Hockey Association's competitions, as follows:—1 Senior A, 2 Senior B, 2 Junior and 2 Third Grade.

The Annual General Meeting was held on 21st March, when a somewhat meagre attendance did not promise an unusually successful season. Systematic canvassing, however, resulted in a large number joining up later, justifying the action of the Committee in entering a B team in the Third Grade.

The following were elected to office at the Annual General Meeting:—Patron, Mr. C. Hain; President, Mr. v. M. Cousins, L..L.M.; Club Captain, Mr. J. L. Mac-Duff, L.L.M., B.A.; Hon. Secretary, Mr. H. J. Bishop; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. C. S. Plank, M.Sc.; Committee: Messrs. G. S. Simpson, B.A.; Dip Ed., B. O'R. Cahill, B.A., L.L.M., and K. N. Struthers; Delegates to Wellington Hockey Association, Messrs. N. G. Lewis and J. L. MacDuff, B.A., L.L.M.; Hon. Auditor, Mr. C. H. Hain, L.L.B.

At the time of writing there have been five matches played, one Saturday being too wet for play. The Senior A team, containing four only of last year's eleven, has won only one game, but has been only narrowly beaten on other occ page 77 asions. The Senior B A team has won all its games, and should, on paper, have little difficulty in winning the championship, possessing as it does several of last year's Senior A team, who were standing down in favour of young blood. The B team has played only three games, losing the first 0—1, and winning the second, after Capping, by 2—0. The other game, against Hutt A, was lost 2—6.

The Junior A team has, as in previous seasons, been very inconsistent, and although the side possesses a strong combination, it is impossible to forecast where they will finish in the Championship. The Junior B team has done well, losing only two matches, and playing with good idea of combination. The Third A team has won a couple of games and should hold its own in the grade. The Third B team, which was entered after the first playing Saturday, has yet to score a win; in fact, it has not secured even a goal, but the tally scored against it, in the two matches it has played, is already over 20. In Justice to this team, however, it must be pointed out that they have been handicapped by having to turn out short on both occasions.

The Annual Inter-Varsity Tournament for the Seddon Stick was held in Wellington, and proved the best yet held. The Committee spared no efforts to ensure that everything possible was done to ensure a successful tournament, and their efforts were well rewarded. Otago, Auckland and Canterbury all sent strong teams, and the hockey was of a very high standard indeed, the final same especially, between Auckand and Otago, being the finest seen on Karori Park for several seasons. To Auckland we extend our hearty congratulations on their winning the Seddon Stick, and we congratulate Otago on the fight they put up in the final, and also on the standard of hockey they produced in the second half of their match with Victoria. As unsuccessful candidates for the Wooden Spoon, we wish to thank Canterbury and congratulate them on adding to their tenure another year.

The teams from Otago and Canterbury were met on arrival by the Lyttelton boat on Saturday, 31st May, by those in charge of the billetting arrangements, and were quickly conveyed to their billets. The Auckland team arrived at 9.30 by the Limited and were met by their hosts and taken away to their homes in time to prepare for the matches in the afternoon.

The Annual Meeting of Delegates to the N.Z. University Hockey Council was held at 10.45, when matters in connection with the tournament were discussed.

The draw for the matches on Saturday was as follows:—1.30 p.m.: Otago University v. Victoria University College; 3 p.m., Auckland University College v. Canterbury College. Before an enthusiastic body of onlookers, the two teams lined out punctually for the early game, which proved to be fast and of high standard. After 10 minutes' play, Otago scored from the left wing, and five minutes later the Victoria forwards went through, for Read to secure a good goal. Shortly afterwards, from a melee in the Otago circle, Paul scored, and, just before half-time, succeeded in landing another. At half-time the score was 3—1 in Victoria's favour, and the supporters of the local team were most jubilant.

On resumption, however, Otago opened with a fine goal, and two minutes later had made the scores level. From then on the local halves and backs had a very busy time, and the V.U.C. forwards rarely got out of their own territory. Just before time Otago landed another goal, and in spite of desperate efforts by their opponents to score in the short time available, held their own, running out winners 4—3.

Exceptionally fast as this had been, a better game was to follow. Auckland and Canterbury showed hockey of an exceptional kind, and goal followed goal, first to one, then to the other, with great regularity. Towards the finish Auckland were showing the effects of their night journey, and suffered also from casualties, one man having to leave the field and another having to retire temporarily. With five minutes to go the score was 5—5, and Auckland, playing only ten men, were very tired. In a final burst, however, their forward line tore through the Canterbury defence and secured a splendid goal, leaving the field winners of a fine game by 6 goals to 5.

On Saturday evening the Hockey Club Dance was held. As a Ladies' Hockey Tournament was held this year also, the Committee of the V.U.C. Women's Hockey Club collaborated in the dance arrangements. Miss MacRae was in charge of arrangements, and we thank her very much for the work she did. As a result of page 78 her efforts, and those of her helpers, the dance was a very successful function. For once the decorations had the effect of hiding the ugliness of the Gym., which was decorated in two shades of pink, with the colours of the four Colleges displayed on the side wall, where the Seddon Stick was also displayed. In spite of the record crowd, the was no hitch in the supper arrangements, and there was enough left after both sittings to make a very acceptable gift to St. Mary's Home at Karori next morning. The orchestra was also in good form, and the visitors declared that it was a very fine dance indeed, and all appeared to enjoy themselves, in spite of the fact that they were all tired after their hard games in th aftrnoon.

On Sunday afternoon the teams were taken for a motor drive through Happy Valley, round Island Bay, and Lyall Bay to Massey's Tomb, on Point Halswell, and thence round through the Seatoun Tunnel to Mount Victoria and home through Roseneath and Oriental Bay. A stop was made for afternoon tea at the Blue Platter at Island Bay, where the teams listened for a while with interest to a negro preacher, who probably had never in his life performed before so large and appreciative an audience. It is a matter for consideration whether some of his gestures should not be incorporated in the haka.

The 1.30 p.m. game on Monday, 2nd June, was for the wooden spoon, between the losers of Saturday's games, Victoria and Canterbury. Canterbury started off at a great pace and had the better of the early stages, but the local team rallied well and held their own for the rest of the first spell, which ended, however, with Canterbury leading 2—0. In the second spell Victoria had more of the game and pressed hard for the first twenty minutes, when their efforts were rewarded with a goal by Bishop. Just afterwards, Read scored a beautiful goal from a difficult angle, and five minutes before the finish Paul secured just outside the circle, and taking no chances, dribbled it through to draw the goalie and tap it into the net. Time went shortly afterwards, and Victoria had scored their first win of the season, and had managed to avoid qualifying for the wooden spoon.

At 3 p.m. Auckland and Otago took the field and an exceptionally fast game ensued. The Auckland forwards, who are all exceedingly fast, had corrected the fault shown in their previous game of bunching, and were giving a fine exhibition of passing at full speed. The halves and full-backs on the Auckland side were playing very well, and when they were unable to break up an Otago rush, always succeeded in keeping them to the edge of the circle, so that Crawley, in goal, was called on only for long-range work. The positional play of both sides was excellent, and the superior speed of the Auckland forwards, the splendid play of Radcliffe (centre-half), and the defence of the Auckland goalkeeper, were the deciding factors. Otago played very well, but their centre-half could not check the Auckland centre, and one of their full-backs was weak. Their forwards were always dangerous, Howie and Watson especially so.

On Monday evening a dinner in honour of the teams was held in Barrett's Hotel, Mr. A. M. Cousins presided over a large attendance, amongst whom we were glad to see some of our older players and vice-presidents. A lengthy toast list was honoured, and Mr. N. R. Jacobsen announced his selection of the N.Z. University team to play Wellington on Tuesday, 3rd June. This team was as follows:—Crawley (A.U.C.). goal; Brown (A.U.C.) and Bellfield (O.U.). full-backs; E. Wilson (O.U.), Radcliffe (A.U.C.), and A. Wilson (O.U.). halves; Simpson (V.U.C.). Howie (O.U.), Watson (O.U.), Taylor (A.U.C.) and Huston (C.U.C.), forwards. Radcliffe (A.U.C.) was selected as captain. H. C. Read (V.U.C.) was emergency.

After the dinner a party went to the de Luxe and another band went to the Paramount to "The Love Parade." After the pictures both parties went to the Majestic for supper, where the members of the ladies' teams joined up, and the remainder of the evening was spent in dancing.

On Tuesday morning the N.Z. University team played Wellington on the Basin Reserve. The ground was insplendid condition and the game was a very fine one indeed, resulting in a draw, 4—4.

We wish to congratulate Simpson on again gaining a University blue, and also to congratulate Read on being picked as emergency.

In the afternoon everyone went to the football match and saw Wellington defeat Great Britain, and a fair crowd went down to Thorndon Station to see the Auckland team depart at 7.15, taking with them the Seddon Stick. An enthusiastic page 79 send-off was given them, and the remodelled haka was in evidence for the first time. The crowd then went down to the Ferry Wharf to see the Otago and Canterbury teams away, Canterbury taking with them the wooden spoon. Here again an enthusiastic send-off took place, and formed a fitting conclusion to the most successful tournament of the series.

Our thanks are due to the Wellington Hockey Association for the courtesy shown in connection with the tournament arrangements, to the Wellington Referees' Association for supplying referees for the matches, and to the Wellington Hockey Club for their agreement to a postponement of their match with the V.U.C. team, which had been set down for the Saturday afternoon.

A report of all games will appear in the next issue of the "Spike."