AT GRIPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 230, 29 September 1933, Page 3

AT GRIPS.

OVER WRESTLING. WHANGAREI TROUBLE. TWO BODIES CONCERNED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WHANGAREI, this day. Whangarei wrestlers came to grips with their own problems last night when a conference was held between the Whangarei Wrestling Association, the Amateur Gymnasium Club, and Messrs. W. 11. Ready and J. H. Kinnear, of Auckland, representatives of the New Zealand Council.

Some of the troubles which have shadowed the sport locally in recent months were ventilated, and the association conceded a number of points. However, at the close a bombshell in the nature of an ultimatum was dropped by the amateur body, and the air for a time was charged with electricity.

Mr. Ready said that the paramount consideration was that the boys be given proper opportunities to take part in tourneys, and their sport be encouraged in every way. Nominally the District Association had absolute control over bouts, but if it could be proved that their powers were not being equitably administered, the Commissioner of Police could go over their heads and grant a permit. The position was fully discussed and the following decisions arrived at by the Wrestling Association were then placed on record:-—"That the association will grant all reasonable applications for permits made by the Amateur Gymnasium Club; allow an approved representative of the club to sit on the association; and in conducting tourneys utilise as many officials of the club as required." Emphatic Announcement. So far the conference had proceeded with unexpected harmony, but at this stage the club's delegates, acting on instructions from the committee, made the sensational announcement: "That the club would have no further dealings with the association while the president of the association, Mr. H. Scally, had anything to do with its affairs."

Mr. Ready: Wo have gone so far and achieved so much that the personal element should bo kept out of it. We are here to-night to compromise.

Mr. SealLy: I have been the father of wrestling in Whangarei, and the minute books show that I have always supported the interests of the amateurs. To bring this upon me is indeed a dirty trick.

After a somewhat heated interlude, both parties agreed that misunderstanding had occurred and shook hands.

Tho meeting recognised that the club's representatives, having their definite instructions, were only acting as agents in the matter, and Mr. Johnson said that had fully qualified delegates of the gymnasium been in attendance the ultimatum might not have been presented at that stage.

Mr. Ready said that the definite stand taken by tho club had complicated the matter a great deal. In view of the communication from the club, lie asked Mr. Scally whether he was prepared to make any sacrifice or suggestion whereby the disagreement between the two bodies could be overcome. Mr. Scally preferred to leave the decision in the hands of the committee, and tho association's delegates accorded him unanimous support in thin decision. Mr. Buckley said that Mr. Scally had been a fair chairman and a loyal supporter of the sport. The committee had been given no reason for withdrawing its loyalty to its president. Other members supported this view. "Dictating to the Boys." Mr. J. T. McFarlane attributed all the trouble to the businessmen and elderly men who had come into the control of the club. They were dictating to the boys, who previously had been quite happy tinder the association. Mr. Richardson then sought to secure a fixed date for the special meeting of the association, which was being convened by a number of members. Association representatives were also agreeable to finality being reached on that point, but Mr. Ready said that this matter was outside the scope of the meeting. Mr. Ready indicated that a conference would be held with club representatives before the delegates left Whangarei, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Aucklanders. At a meeting between Messrs. Ready and Kinnear and tho Whangarei Amateur Gymnasium Club this morning, the club decided to accept the terms placed on the minute book of the association last night, with the exception that it was granted representation by two delegates on tho association instead of the one proposed.