BOXING IN TOWN HALL.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 583, 11 August 1909, Page 8

BOXING IN TOWN HALL.

SHALL PROFESSIONAL CONTESTS BE ' ... ALLOWED? .• A few days ago ''the, Financo Committee of the City Council decided that the Town Hall shall not be let for the purposes of profcs-' sioiial boxing contests. Tho decision was conveyed to tho.'Wellington Boxing Association, which has been placed in a rather awkward position, owing to arrangements which have been made ahead, and its at this late date\to hire- another place .suitable to boxing tournaments.''.' ; ■ : ' Yesterday;: stKe "'Finance Committee.' was waited on by a deputation' consisting' ,of Messrs. R. W. M'Villby (president of the association), J. H. Owen, and Dr. ■ Napier M'Loan' (vice-presidents), W.' B. Piatt's (treasurer), .and W. Coffey (secretary). The deputation was introduced' by the Hon. John Rigg, M.L.C., who pointed out that boxing had been legalised by the Government; and that tile Wellington J3oxing Association bad done all in its power to place the sport.on. a satisfactory basis. /That it.had succeeded was clearly proved b'y'the 'conduct'of ! its tournaments.. He also touched on the inconvenience .that vwould result from• such a restriction on the best class of scientific boxing, which served as object lessons to the aspiring amateur. > Mr. M'Villey quoted figures.' He said that the association's receipts for all tournaments, amounted to ' £3773,:.and . its'. expenditure £3300. Of.'the latter amount £815 had been devoted to the. expenses' of, and prizes, for, amateurs,' as' against £500 for professionals, whichi showed that the latter' were 'not' catered for at the. expense of amateurs.- 1 The sum of £521 had'been spent among tradesmen in various ways, £441 had been paid out for rent, and £220 in wages. .The speaker also emphasised the strict supervision that was exerted'to keep the sport clean,, and only men of clean living and good reputation were allowed.to:appear in the association's ring. The association was oommitted to an expenditure' of about £250 on'account of professional contests arranged ,and if; it was denied the Town Hallj it would have to pay out-this money with .the best' possible, .without holding the-meeting at all.' Mr. Platts pointed out that the. word fight . was' a misnonier. No • fights were allowed under, the association's rules—it' was boxing pure and simple.' " Dr. Napier M'Lean also pointed out'that the Marquis of Queeiisbery rules were strictly adopted, and these only permitted' legitimate' boxing. ' .....

. Tho .Mayor (Dr. Newman) said 1 that the committee would consider the, position, arid an answer would be fonvarded ; to the association in due course.'