BOXING.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 137, 22 March 1935, Page 2

BOXING.

THE ASHBURTON ASSOCIATION. SUCCESSFUL SEASON PREDICTED The prediction that the forthcoming boxing season in Ashburton would be most successful, and that there was likely to be a large increase m the number of .young men taking part in the sport, was made last evening at the annual meeting of the Ashburton Boxing Association. Mr H. D. Johnston presided oyer a fair attendance of members. The, annual report was as follows “Boxing Rooms. —At the last annual meeting a strong desire for the establishment of a permanent ring was evinced, and after considering several propositions, the executive eventually agreed to rent the rifle club’s rooms, and fit them up with permanent equipment for the use of boxers. Although it was late in the season when airangements were completed, the Association has now an excellent boxing stadium capable of seating over 200 people. Trainers’ licenses were issued to Messrs H. Freeman, G. Terris and C. Brosnahan, and the boxers receiving instruction took full advantage of the rooms for training purposes. “Tournaments. —Four tournaments, two amateur, one professional and the Mid-Canterbury championships, were held during the year, all except .the professional contest being held in the Association’s rooms. The Rakani Boxing Club also staged a professional and an amateur contest, and were assisted by members of the Association. Endeavours were made to hold tournaments with the Timara and North Otago associations, but, unfortunately, suitable dates could not be arranged. Several Ashburton boxers took part in Christchurch tournaments. “New Zealand Championships.—l he New Zealand championships were held at Hastings last year, and the Association was represented by T- Lister in the middle-weight class. Although he fought well, he was not successful in winning the championship, fhe Association’s thanks were accorded Mr D. Lynch for looking after luster on his trip, and to Mr A. Heeney for seconding him in the ring. The president (Mr H. D. Johnston) attended the annual meeting of the New Zealand Boxing Association, and reported fully on the business transacted. “Finance.—ln order to enlarge the membership, it was resolved last year to reduce the annual subscription to 10s 6d, and it is pleasing to record that several new members have joined up. Although the balance-sheet shows a loss on the season’s working, it u confidently anticipated that with the better appointments and an increased interest in the sport, the coming season should prove more successful than those in the past. “Personal.—The commitee has to leport the resignation of the treasurer (Mr H. Marsden) and Mr E. J. Burgess, consequent upon their removal from the district. These men have been keen and energetic members or the Association and best wishes are extended to them in their new locations. Mr W. R. Tucker has succeeded Mr Marsden as treasurer, and is maintaining a close scrutiny oyer the Association’s finances. “Donations. The Association is grateful to Messrs J. Connolly, M.I J. H. Grigg, Brarn Lee and L. Anderson for donations toward the funds, and to the Ashburton Wrestling Association for grants for the use of equipment. “Equipment.—The gear and equipment is still in good order. The gloves on hand should be sufficient for the coming season. “Thanks.—The thanks of the Association are due to all who assisted with donations, the honorary surgeons, ambulance brigade, auditor, the press, the police, and especially to those who worked so hard in preparing the present boxing rooms for the use of the Association. “In conclusion, your executive looks forward to the coming season with confidence, and trusts that all members will do their utmost to induce others to join up and work together for the advancement of the sport.” The financial statement showed a credit balance of 19s 6d, compared with one of 6s lid last year. The principal receipts were: —Admission receipts £SB 8s 6d, subscriptions £25 11s, competition £l9 Bs. The chief expenditure was as follows: —Trophies £27 0s 2d, competition £l4, printing, etc., £l3 10s, professional purse £l2 10s od, New Zealand Boxing Council £l2 10s 4d. Assets exceeded liabilities by £355 16s 3d. The election of officers resulted. — Patron, Mr J. H. Grigg; president, Mr W. R. Tucker; vice-presidents, Messrs J Connolly, M.P., A. N. Grigg, P. Sheehan, H. D. Johnston, H. R. O. McElrea, O. Crum; committee, Messrs H. Freeman, G. Brown, G. Nuthrown, C. G. Gass, D. Lynch, M. Keelev, F. Porter, F. Crum A. Hayston, J. B. Cullen, H. R, C. McElrea, H. D. Johnston, H. Rainey, J. W, Smith, T. Hocking; secretary, Mr G. V. Fur by; treasurer, appointment left over to committee meeting; auditor, Mr J. W. Bowden; honorary solicitor, Mr R. Kennedy; honorary medical officers, all Ashburton doctors; executive, the president, Messrs Gass, McElrea, Hayston, Freeman, Johnston and Cullen; match committee, Messrs Freeman, Johnston, Cullen and McElrea; advertising committee, Messrs MeElrea, Gass and Hayston.

In accordance with a notice of motion which had been received, regulations relating to the affiliation of boxing clubs to associations were submitted to the meeting and were adopted. The president pointed out that the regulations were based on the rules the New Zealand Boxing Association had imposed on associations affiliated to it.

A letter was received from the New Zealand Boxing Association notifying that all local associations should pay the New Zealand Boxing Council a fee of £2 for each permit obtained to hold a bout or tournament, provided the permit was actually used. Members were opposed to the payment of this fee, being of the opinion that it should be imposed on a. sliding basis, according to the size of the association staging contests or to the amount of the door takings at ‘such contests • “The New Zealand 1 Council has wasted its money, and is now calling on its affiliated associations to provide more,” said Mr Johnstom “It sent two men to accompany visiting Australian boxers from one end of New Zealand to the other. The associations could have arranged, to have met the visitors ,at the station when they arrived in their towns, and they could have done the necessary honours.. No wonder the council wants money.’ lie said that nothing could be done in the matter. The Rakaia Boxing Club wrote notifying that it had formed itself into an association, and thanking the Ashburton Association for the assistance it had given in the past.