BOXING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 310, 24 September 1908, Page 4

BOXING.

RETURN OF NEW ZEALAND TEAM.; Among the passengers by the. Warrimoo frtm Sydney yesterday'were-Messrs; Elliott (Timaru), Metcalf (Auckland), Lcckie .(Wellington), and Ryan (Invercargill), who composed the team which represented New Zealand at the late Australasian : amateur'boxjng championships at Brisbane. -They were, accompanied by Mr. Aschmsn (Christchurch), who - had- acted as" manager. i ,•/ It'will be remembered that Elliott was tho only member of the team who secured a championship. That the others -were not successful was duo not so much to tho superior skill of their opponents as to ,the fact that they arrived 1 at .Brisbane only a couple of days before' the' contests, and tho heat prevented, them from training..- It'is worthy of mention ' also that' cacn ,of ■ the unsuccessful New . Zealanders' met the ultimate" winner in .his division. Elliott hao only one opponent, Cantwell,'of Queensland. In the thira round Cantwell went'down for nine seconds, and ultimately the New Zealander won on' points. Although Elliott boxed below form, it is expected that he will receive the prise awarded for the most 1 scientific display. Bagley, of Queensland, who defeated Metcalf on points,' showed a, wido knowledge of the art. Ryan was accounted/ for. by an ex-Dunedinite named Smith, who now resides in New South Wales. Smith, who. was much lighter than tho Now ,Zealander, was also miich smarter in his. movements. Midwood, of Tasmania, who beat Leckie, had the best of the first round, but it was generally thought that tho New Zcalander had rcduccd the; advantage in the succeeding rounds. The verdict was, however, given to the Tasmanian.' The manager stated that Victoria .had no right to be represented at this year's championships. In view of the fact that the sending of tho team from that State, had been duo to a misunderstanding, it . was agreed to permit the mombefs to take part. He disapproved of-.the Australian practico with respect to the referee remaining in tho ring. In his opinion competitors in amateur contests should bo under sufficient: coutrol to "break" when called upon so to do. With regard to the defeat of Fenn-Luslior, the clover New South Wales lad, ho declared that it was generally believed the referee mado a mistake in awarding the fight to Cantwell, his '. opponent. ■ At Sydney tho National Sports Club placed a gymnasium at their disposal, and they were taken for a drive, whilst at. Brisbane they were also treated right royally. '' Ryan left for his home. last night, and Metcalf takes his departure this':morning. It is probable that Elliott will remain here for a time. • 1