WRESTING CONTROL

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 292, 10 December 1929, Page 16

WRESTING CONTROL

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. GATE RECEIPTS TOTAL £5113. HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL SEASON. Gate' receipts for the recent wrestling season at Auckland totalled £5113, of which £2804 was paid to the wrestlers as prize-money. These facts were made public at the seventh annual meeting of the New Zealand Wrestling Association, held in the Chamber of Commerce last evening. Mr. George Henniug presided over a record attendance of Upwards of 60 members. The meeting lasted for three hours, proceedings being unnecessarily prolonged owing to members' lack of knowledge of the association's rules. Late in the evening one member said that the meeting was the "funniest he had ever attended." Before outlining the activities of the association, the president said it was very pleasing to see so many members present. The attendance was in striking contrast 'to attendances in the past, when difficulty had been experienced in getting a quorum. As far as the actual wrestling during the past season was concerned, the recent matches had been a revelation to most people. Members had seen in action wrestlers of world repute, such as John Pesek and George Walker, and Auckland had been fortunate in having had such talent to provide matches. The wrestling seen in the season just ended had been something entirely new to New Zealand. The association, said Mr. Henning, had had its little difficulties,.but it was hoped that they would not occur in the future. Most of the difficulties had been the result of inexperience and it was confidently anticipated that everything would go smoothly next year. With a few minor alterations in the rules the business of the association would be put through More smoothly next year. The balance-sheet showed liabilities as nil and assets at £670. Honorariums were entered at £21, expenses at £534, rent at £435, advertising at £340, prizemoney at £2804 and amusement tax at £508.

On the motion of Mr. C. E. Browne, the meeting decided to limit the membership of the association to 100. Air. J. M. Connelly stated in writing that he objected to the motion limiting the membership to 100. At the present lime the association in Auckland controlled wrestling in New Zealand and he was of the opinion that it was wrong at tha present stage to increase the membership. Some years ago it had decided that the limit be 50 and at the end of last year it had dwindled down to 25.

'With the boom this year the member

ship had kept On increasing, until the WTestlers protested that it was unfair to them that at each contest the number ■of free tickets became greater.. Ihiring the coming year it would be necessary

to go into the question of having a properly constituted New Zealand Wrestling Association, with headquarters in a' more central city than Auckland and when this came about the present New Zealand Association would ibecome the Auckland Association. It was his opinion that that would t)e the time to consider the question of increasing the membership. The wrestlers had complained that the local association were the worst offenders i in regard to issuing free tickets. The next season was going to be a very busy one, competition would he keener and the wrestlei'S would treat each contest offered as a business proposition. It stood to reason that Dunedin and Wellington, with smaller free, lists, would appeal, to the wrestlers far more than Auckland.

It was Mr . Connelly's opinion that the rules of the association should be altered so that a delegate from each of the affiliated associations Should he given a seat on the council. The executives of the Southern association had suggested the various associations sending delegates to Wellington for the purpose of holding a conference. The question of engaging wrestlers for next year would require discussion, and the Southern associations were not quite satisfied, with the way matches had been arranged during the past season. Unfortunately the oversea men had talked freely regarding their experiences in Auckland, and had expressed the opinion that the Southern associations Wiitched their interests milch better than did the local association*

Further, Mr. Connelly e&id that he had received a letter from Tom Alley who said he was afraid that next year the wrestlers would require transportation charges, as none of them had made sufficient out Of the trip. Alley had expressed the opinion that if the oversea men were expected to pay their Own fares it would be necessary for ' the various associations to work on a 10 per cent instead 6f a 20 per cent basis. If the association had not got the money, or did not waht to take the chance, Alley had said he would pay for Ave round trips if the' association would work on a 10 per cent basis. If it was the wish of the association, Alley was willing to look out for suitable men in America, A Member: It will be a poor day for the sport when the wrestlers dictate to the association, Mr. Henning: We did have a little passage-at-arms with Alley, who threatened he might start promoting in New Zealand on his own account. After further discussion Mr. Connelly's Uettep was received. An objection that the association had not notified members that nominations for office bearers had to be submitted in writing seven days before the date of the annual meeting was voiced by Mr, S. N". Mahraj, who pointed out that" the rule to that effect had not been enforced in the past. .. . - The secretary's honorarium was fixed at £75, and that of the treasurer at £25 It was decided that the financial, year end in February, and the.annual meeting be held on the second Monday in March. Tho election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. Geo. Henning; vice-presidents, Messrs. C. E. Browne, W. W, Luke, G. M. F. Connelly, W. E. GranE, D. M. Simpson, E. Stansfield, and B. S. Lawrence; council, Messrs. A. W. Bunker, S. Austin Carr, W. Dennison, A. Duthie, C. B. McCarthy, G. McMillan, H. Beady, B. Beid, A. J. Bobinson, H. M. Warner; hon. doctors, Drs. H. T. Pettit, W. H. Horton, and M. G. Pezaro; hon secretary, Mr. C. B, McCarthy; treasurer, Mr. W. H. Grant; auditor, Mr. W. Har- ' hon. solicitor, Mr. B. J. Coates. j