WRESTLING CONTROL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 171, 22 July 1930, Page 8

WRESTLING CONTROL.

A WELLINGTON MOVE.

FORMATION OF NATIONAL

(By Telegraph-Own Correspondent.)' - 1

Wellington; this day. ; A meeting of .persons concerned about the formation of a new body to contrS wrestling in New Zealand was held fe yesterday, the meeting being attend*? by Messrs. H. D. Bennett (chairman? J. Creeke, J. D. Willis and W. S crass (Wellington), J., M. Connolly (Christchurch), F. J. Campbell sJ G. P. Aldridge (Dunedin), p. 5 Rickards (Auckland), and G. v Watchorn' Pearson and Ferguson (Palmerston North). v

Mr. Bennett welcomed the delegates and stated that the object of the meet' ing -was to form a body to control wrestling nationally in New Zealand on a more satisfactory basis than was done at present. The Auckland body, known as the New Zealand Wrestling Association" had been asked to send a delegate, but had not done so.

The meeting decided to form a "body to be known as the Dominion'of New Zealand Wrestling Union.

A constitution prepared by Mr. J.D. Willis, solicitor, of Wellington, was considered and approved, subject to ratification by affiliated organisations. It was decided that every wrestler at a meeting should in future be licensed and pay a fee to the union. • -

The following officers were elected:— President, Mr. H. D. Bennett; vice-presi-dents, Colonel Dawson (Auckland)'and Messrs. F. J. Campbell, G. Watcliorn, P; R. Cliniie (Christchurch), and J. Creeke (Wellington); secretary, Mr. J. Creeke; treasurer, Mr. W. Shallcrass; lion, solicitor, Mr. J. D. .Willis; auditors, Messrs. 11. F. Allen and Son; management convv; m'ittee, Messrs. J. M. Connelly (Ohristchurcli), G. Watcliorn and Purvis (Palmerston North), F. B. Rickards (Auckland), -J. D. Willis (Wellington), F.J. Campbell (Dunedin), and the president, secretary and treasurer.

An official of the New Zealand Wrestling Association, Auckland, states that the°aseociation received an invitation to the Wellington meeting,, but this arrived only yesterday morning. ■

THE POSITION IN AUCKLAND.

DOMINION associations

STATEMENT,

To consider the position crcated by the formation of a new organisation for the control of wrestling'in Auckland, to which reference is made elsewhere in this issue, the full council of the New Zealand Wrestling Association met this morning. Mr. G. Henning presided, v. The meeting was not open to the Press, but the following statement was afterwards issued: —

"Some nine years ago the New Zea| land Wrestling Association (Inc.) was formed for the purpose of fostering the sport of wrestling, not only in Auck : land, but elsewhere in New Zealand. For the first few years, despite unlooked-for difficulties, the association was placing the sport on a satisfactory footing, and, during the last two or three years, it lias been extremely active; as is evidenced not only by the excellent bouts that have been put on in Auckland and elsewhere, but also, by the wonderful support accorded by the sporting public. "It is generally admitted that all contests arranged by the association have been conducted in the best possible manner and to the satisfaction of • the authorities responsible for granting the necessary permits required before a contest is staged. Not only has the association arranged professional bouts, but it has also gone out of its way to encourage the amateur side of the sport, which has grown to such an extent that, in place of only a few boys' taking .an interest in it, there are at present hundreds of them receiving first-class coach-'; ing in the numerous gymnasiums in the city. m

"The public may rest assured that tlie association will continue as in the past to provide them with straight, clean contests under the control of representative citizens."

NEW AUCKLAND BODY.

UNDER R.S.A. AUSPICES,

After negotiating with the Returned Soldiers' Association with proposals tliat 20 per cent of the proceeds of bouts should go to the association for the benefit of unemployed returned soldiers, a number of local enthusiasts have arranged for the formation of a new wrestling association in Auckland, under R.S.A. auspices. The R.S.A. Wrestling Association has received an assurance that it will be able to get permits lor the promotion of matches.