ATHLETIC SPORTS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 11110, 6 May 1911, Page 13

ATHLETIC SPORTS.

BOXING. WELLINGTON ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETINC. FINANCE-VERY MUCH BEHIND. The annual meeting of members of tho Wellington Boxing Association was held in the Chamber of Commerce last night. Mr. R. W. M'Villy presided, and there was a fair attendance of members. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted.

President on Finance. In moving tho adoption of the annual report, the president regretted that ho was unable to congratulate members as ho should liked to have done on tho result of the year's operations. These had not resulted in a financial success, in fact, tho association had gone back to the extent of about £104. One cf the great difficulties which the association had to contend with was the question of a hall. Tho association was not in a position to take a hall for a week, and, consequently, could nob be certain of getting any particular night. In the case of the Opera House, it was necessary to pencil in dates. If the Opera House were vacant for the week everything was satisfactory, but, if the date happened to bo in the middle of the week, and a company came along and engaged the house for a period, the association was pushed out. Tho position was practically the same in connection with the picture theatres, which were engaged the whole year round wnue, as regarded the Town Hall, they were iu the hands of tho council, which let tho hall for amateur shows only. During the past year the committee took the matter of halls into earnest consideration, and a determined attempt was made to form a Sports Club, with a membership of 300 members. Tho committee were empowered to go on with a scheme that had been arranged, provided that they could first obtain members at two guineas each. Strenuous endeavours were made by several members 'of tho association, but, after about three months' hard work, the scheme ended in a dismal'failure. In conclusion the speaker referred to efforts that had been made to obtain the best .talent from Australia, in order that the public might bo satisfied. The best light-weights on tho other side had been approached (from Mehegan downwards), but tho terms asked wero beyond the resources of tho association. Dr. A. W. Izard and Mr. W. Beauchamp-Platts also spoke, regretting that tho efforts to form the Sports Club bad been attended with failure. Both speakers expressed a hops that an effort would bo made to secure a gymnasium for use (say once a month)," and then, later on, another effort could bo made to carry out the larger scheme.

Tho Annual Report. In the annual report the committee states as'follows:—Tho membership has been maintained at the full standard allowed by the rules, and numerous applications' havo been received for admission to the association. Tho provincial championships were conducted in the Town Hall on June 29, and provided a good evening's entertainment, tho boxing being of fairly good standard, though, tho number of entries for. the different classes did -not como up to expectations. In •. addition to the amateur' championship tourney, three other tourneys were promoted. The first of these took placo at tho Opera House on September 15, the principaHtems being a fifteen-round contest between "Dealer" Wells and "Syd" Sullivan, two prominent Australian feather-weights. In rcsponso to many requests from suburban patrons, for the firsftime in tho history of the association, a tournament was promoted at Potono. As a wind-up to (ho season, a third tournament was" undertake!), it being agreed that the proceeds should bo devoted to assisting in providing funds for representation at tho Festival of Empire sports. The result was not satisfactory from a financial point of view. The amateur championships of tho Dominion were decided at Palmerston North. Representatives of Wellington were successful in three events: —P. Ellis in bantam class, F. Kerr in feather class, and G. Watchorn in wel ter class. Ellis and Shields obtained places in the Now Zealand team tor the Australasian contests, which were hold at Auckland under tho control of the- Northern Association. Ellis was unable to draw tho weights on arrival at the northern city, and was, therefore disqualified. During tho year a determined effort was made to carry out a scheme lor securing permanent premises for a Sports Club. A scheme- was placed before members at n special meeting, and adopted; but, ilthough the proposition appeared to bn in excellent ono for tho association and its members, tho support accorded it was not encouraging, and eventually it was decided to abandon tho scheme, for the present. The annual conferenea of affiliated centres took place - during the championship meeting at Palmerston North, tho association being represented by Messrs. Napier M'Lean and Beauchainp-Platts. Owing to illhealth, tho association's esteemed referee, Dr. Napier M'Lcan, was unablo to take his accustomed placo at tho recent 'tourneys. . Arrangements were therefore made with two well-known exponents of tho art to fill the gap. The thanks of the association arc duo to the press for assistance and consideration rendered at all times; to Mr. Corbett, representative in Australia: to tho honorary medical examiners, Drs. James, Herbert, and Gilmer; and to the numerous gentlemen who havo given their services to tho association throughout the year.

The balance-sheet showed a loss of over £100 on the year's working, but the association was still in a sound condition financially, the year closing with a credit balance of £415 3s. od. The assets stand at £515 3s. 5d., and thero are no liabilities.

Motions at the Mooting. On tho motion of Dr. A. W. Izard a hearty vote of thanks was extended to Mr. K. W. M'Villy for his services as president during the past two years. It was decided to recommend the incoming committee to call a special meeting of tho club to discuss the question of raising the membership to 100 active inombors, and to increase the subscription to oiio guinea. Tho committee was also recommended to consider the question of securing a gymnasium or hall for monthly use. Officers Elected. The election of officers resulted, as follows:—Patron, the Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward, Iv.C.M.G.; president, Dr. A. Li. Napier M'Lean; vice-presidents, Messrs. H. Nelson, J. H. Owen, C. 13. Rogers, R. W. M'Villy, Dr. P. James, Dr. H. J. M'Lean, Dr. A. V. Izard; managing committee, Messrs. J. L. Day, "E. Blundell, H. D. Smith, A. Laurenson, T. Sampson, C. E. Bridge, W. A. Fordham, 13. A. Guise, J. 11. Staples"; lion. medical examiners, Dr. P. James, Dr. Herbert, Dr. Gilmer, Dr. Harding; hon. solicitor, Mr. T. M. Wilford; hon. auditor, Mr. W. C. S. Levers; representative in Australia. Mr. W. F. Corbett; treasurer, Mr. W. Beauchamp-Platts, Norwich Union Buildings, Featherston Street; secretary. Mr. W. G. Talbot, Australasia Chambers, Wellington.