ONLOOKER'S VIEWPOINT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 195, 19 August 1930, Page 14

ONLOOKER'S VIEWPOINT.

WKESTXING CONTROL,

In reply to the letter on the control of wrestling by "Gallipoli," a correspondent "Fairplay" writes: —"Re the matter of what ( the New Zealand Wrestling Association did for wrestling and how they put it on the map, I might state that all the credit for the fostering and popularity of wrestling is due to Tom Alley, who wrote to the association after the Irish-Canadian, McCarthy got back to America and offered to bring out wrestlers if suitable arrangements were made. Alley arranged with the help of ono of America's leading promoters to select the three other men, Vance, Johannson and Gardini, and they all paid their own fares and took a chance to make some money. The only two who made over and above their expenses were Alley and Vance. , The New Zealand Wrestling Association, though they, claimed themselves to be the governing body in the Dominion, did practically nothing to foster wrestling in the other centres. ' I will admit one of the officers did assist to form associations in Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, but each of these new associations were very dissatisfied with the co-operation they received from Auckland and when the time arrived they showed their independence *by-- breaking away from the Auckland body. If your correspondent is serious in regard to the good work done by the Auckland body,. I would remind him that this is not borne out by the treatment received by the overseas wrestlers. Anyone who was on speaking terms with last year's wrestlers Will confirm this. As a matter of fact wrestlers -' were terribly disappdnted with the way the Auckland body, conducted wrestling and told many that the new ■ southern associations conducted their carnivals much, better, and it'was a pleasure to wrestle for them even though the gates were much smaller. However, I understand that this season, with smaller houses and smaller admittance fees, the southern houses ajs- now taking much better totals than the local New Zealand Wrestling Association, which proves that their management was not of the best."', .'-..- •■•' '. -'