SPORT OF BOXING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 196, 20 August 1925, Page 11

SPORT OF BOXING.

NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. PAST YEAR'S ACTIVITIES. ABOLITION OF CEXTRE SYSTEM. Difficulties incurred by the Council of sin *t W f ealand Boxing Association since the change over of headquarters from Chnstchurch to Wellington are reierred to in the annual report, but the resume of the work done by the present council during the year shows that activities have been along pro-revive lines. It is stateci that a ] thou " (rh the council assumed office in August 1024 it was not until November that the old council finally handed over all record* "It will readily be seen," says the report, "that without these records it would be a difficult task to ascertain the standing o£ associations in relation to the council. The records supplied threw little light on the subject, and the hon. treasurer had to seek the assistance of a sportinjr writer to compile anything like a complete list of contests held. Here we are reluctant to place on record our sen.se of keen disappointment that after twenty years of control the old council has left the scantiest of details of the history of the association during that period. "The council was not Ion? in office before it discovered that the centre system was not working satisfactorily. There was found to be deficiency in moneys owing by the centres to" the council, and, not having the right to communicate direct with local associations, it was difficult to tind out the true position. It was therefore deemed advisable to call a special meeting of the association, and this was held in Wellington on January 21. 1923. The centre executives were abolished, and their functions and duties conferred upon the council. The rules were also amended to provide for local representatives of the council in the centre districts. "Since the abolition of the centre system, the council has had direct communication with the local association, and a much more satisfactory state of affairs exists. The assistance this has been to the hon treasurer is indicated in the financial statement. The Amateur Side. "The question of the further encouragement of amateur boxing is commended by the council to the earnest consideration of the annual meeting. The council realises that the problems confronting amateurism are different in the various Jpcal associations districts, but it feels that earnest discussion by delegates will result in means being devised to promote the amateur side of the sport which, as our rules show, is the main object of the association—the expenditure of council moneys being used solely to the promotion of amateur bosing. The encouragement of amateur boxing is not merely a matter of promoting amateur contests, and the' council feels sure that associations realise that their true aim is to encourage the practice of boxing as healthful exercise. "In this direction it is pleasing to note that a number of local associations gives every possible assistance to schools and colleges, but the council expects a still greater and more general display of interest," the report adds. Other Matters. Among other items in the report are the following: — "The determination of associations to keep the sport clean is shown by the fact that during the season two persons received ten years' disqualification, and one received six months' disqualification, for various offences. The promptness to deal with cases of misconduct in and out of the ring is proof that those who are in control of the sport are alive to their responsibilities. It should be the aim of all local associations to eliminate anything of a nature likely to arouse adverse criticism by the public. "It would be well for localassociations to bear in mind that the Xew Zealand Boxing Council is governed by certain definite rules which have been enacted by local associations themselves, and that consequently the council's powers to dea"l with various'alleged.offences, and other matters affecting- the administration of the affairs of the association are strictly limited, and local associations should not be disappointed if at times the council finds it has not power to deal with some of the matters that are brought before it. It should be remembered that the principal object of the new rules adopted on October 30, 1923, was to take away the arbitrary powers which, up till then, had been vested in the council, and to make the annual meeting of the association the supreme controlling body—as it should be. The council is merely the executive committee to carry on between general meetings of the association." The annual meeting is to be held at Christchurch on Tuesday next.