A Manly Clergyman.

NZ Truth, Issue 64, 8 September 1906, Page 3

A Manly Clergyman.

No Old Woman About Hughes.

'Ringing cheers greeted the Rev. E. E. Hughes, of Melbourne, as he 'Stepped into the rinsr at the Victorian Amateur Boxing Championships on a recent Saturday evening. The hall- was filled and the rev. gentlemaii had been asked to op^en the ! tournament. "I do not know of any coun,try m the world," he said, "that needs the encouragement of amateur sport more than Australia. (Applause. We have vqrv little to keep us >up to ■ the mark— no frontier foes or- other influence of that description to stimulate our fighting qualities. Butkiwe have a. good object-lesson m what sport and physical culture can do m a nation not far away from us. We live m a perilous time m regard to sport. There tare some people who think the Ten Commandments are not enough. (Laughter and applause.) They want more. (Laughter.) I can't keep the Ten Comjmandments myself, and don't want any more, . (Continued laughter.) Legitimate sport should have the support of all right-thinkins; men m Australia) (Loud applause.) While called upon to preach Christianity I may have to ask men to put off the old man, but it doesn't follow that they should put on the old woman m its place. (Laughter.) I thank you for the privilege you have given me m allowing me to open these contests, and hppe we shall see some good sport.." The reverend gentleman, whose brief address was de-

I li vered ; . TSM t.hi .cha ra /»f*»r»<!'tv»<» £"?£ *±'£" •mour resumed, his seat amis a. dem^ onsfcration of. approval from the-audi-i ence. Would that there were. more of: this toroad-rnanded parson's stamp , m the world. :

The Canterbury "Boxing Association is reported to be m negotiation with Bob Turner, of Sydney, for a., match between the Welshman and- Tim Tracy m Christchurch at Cup* time

The; Greymouth people are anxious to get on a match between Tim Tracy and one Coutts, who, is said to hail from the West Coast 1 of .this island. Coutts is slow m. toeing the mark.

The team selected to do battle for New South Wales against New Zealand and Queensland m . the Australian Amateur Boxinc? Championships, to be held m Sydney this evening and Wednesday next; is as follows :—Ban-tam-weight, T. Dickinson, ex-Austra-lian champion and for several years unbeaten champion of New South Wales ; T. Fitzjobn, N.S.W. champion, 1906. Feather-weight, W. Batten, N.S.W. champion 1905-6 ; P. dimming, ex-N.S.W. champion. Light-weight, D. Parbe'rry, ex-Aus-stralian champion and for several years unbeaten champion of N.S.W. ; J. Mackav. runner-up, N.5..W.-, 1906. Middle-weight, R. L; Baker, middleweight champion of Australasia- zlnd heavy-weight champion of N.S;W.'.; W. Gorman, ex-N.S.W, light-weight champion. Heavy-weight Tremayne Rodd ; W. Walshe, runner-up, N.S.W. 1906. , '

Ben Tracy was given a send-off at brother Tim's rooms one evening last week, when several members of the Wellington Boxing Association were present. During the evening several interesting and exciting . bouts were put up, the principal being that between Gosling and Tommy Sampson. That . Tommy had lost none of his old time cleverness, was shown, and had he only been m form at the time of the recent tournament it is probable that the N.Z. light-weigjh't championship would have been- at his mercy. Ben and Tim Tracey had a bout also. A well-known Wellington sport was referee, and at the conclusion of the evening's entertainment Mr Coffey, on behalf of the . Wellington Boxing Association, thanked the prompters for the pleasant evening spent, and wished Ben the best of good-luck m his battles over the big pond.

The Wellington Boxing Association have yet to decide what shape their annual tourney is to assume'' this year. It is quite on the tapis that Tim Tracey and Rdss, of Auckland, will 1 be matched, and if possible the leading amateur exponents of the noble art available will 'be got together. Trouble, however, is likely to be met m the fact that some of : our amateur cracks will be unable to get the necessary leave of absence. Gosling, on his part, wants a spell for some time. Advices are awaited from Auckland regarding Godfrey, Ross, and Sanderson, and these should be %o hand m a tfew days. Unless the ; Association can put forward areally attractive programme, it will be decided that nothing will be done this year, to wait till next year, when the Australasian- championships, are fought off hete. ]'■ / >;•' The INHZ. representatives left ' for Sydney, by the Manuka „ l ast. Saturday, under Mr'Atack's management,T. Wilson, of Christchurch, going as trainer. AH the lads were m gr,eat cheer and qonfident of holding their own against the pick of Australia's basket. None of them • wasted time or loafed while waiting m Wellington, but put m all their time m walking .and other exercise..