BOXING ASSOCIATION.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 475, 6 April 1909, Page 7

BOXING ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. There was a largo attendance at the sixth annual meeting of the Wellington Boxing Association which was held last night, Mr. E. W. ll'Villy presiding. In the course of an apology for unavoidable absence the retiring president, Mr. H. Nelson, stated that ho hoped the association would propose doing away with fighting in clinches and insist upon tho immediate break. With respect to this matter Dr. Napier M'Lean stated that whilst ho had been rcicree he had never pennitttd hitting in clinches. The chairman, in moving the adoption of tho annual report (a summary of which has already appeared), renewed tho operations of the past season, which lie described as eminently satisfactory. A feature of tho various contests was tho ability shown in the amateur championships. Reference should also be made to tho progress mado in boxing by students of the Physical Training School. Members would regret tho departure from the Dominion of Godfrey, tho cx-professional feather-weight champion, who had proved himself a skilful and conscientious boxer. Aβ a result of tho ensuiug season's operations it was hoped to secure sufficient funds to enable the association to got promises of its own. After a brief discussion tho report was adopted. The election of office-bearers resulted as under:—Patron, the Eight lion. Sir J. G. Ward, K.C.M.G.; president, Mr. R. W.M'Villy; vice-presidents, Messrs. .7. H. Owen, H. 'Nelson, C; B. Rogers, C. M. Montcfiore, and Drs. A. K. Newman, A. Izard, Napier M'Lean, and H. ■T. M'Lean; Managing Committee, Messrs. J. L. Day, E. Blnndell, H. D. Smith, T. Taylor, A. Laurenson, T. Sampson, J. If. Laing, C. E. Bridge, and F. H. Taylor; hon. auditor, Mr. W. C. S. Levors; representative of association in Australia, Mr. W. P. Corbett; hon. medical examiners, Drs. James, Herbert, and Gilmer; : hon. solicitor, Mr. T. M. Wilford, M.P.; hon. treasurer, Mr. W. Beauchamp Plaits; hon. secretary, Mr. W. Coffey. In accordance with notice, Mr. W. Beauchamp Platts moved an amendment to the rules to provido that tho membership of tho association should consist of 50 active niombers, 25 honorary and life hon. members, "exclusive of the president and vice-presidents." Tho proposal was approved. Mr. E. Blundell then moved, in accordance with notice, that tho annual subscription be one guinea in place of half a guinea as at present. In so doing tho mover stated that at half a guinea the sport provided last season was a gift. He would like to see tho membership materially increased. Mr. Beauchamp Platts, who supported tho proposal, remarked that ho would like to see all platform tickets reserved for members and their guests. Mr. Guiso spoke against tho proposal, it being his opinion that the time had arrived when the subscription should be reduced. His remarks wero endorsed by Mr. Coffey. After further discussion the proposal was negatived. It was agreed that bonuses be granted to tho hon. secretary and tho hon. treasurer.