A FINE SPORTSMAN

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 299, 18 September 1928, Page 6

A FINE SPORTSMAN

WELCOME TO TOM HEENEY I —* “A GREAT FIGHTER AND A SPLENDID LOSER” “A great fighter and a splendid loser” was the tribute paid by the Prime Minister at the enthusiastic welcome accorded to Tom Heeney, the renowned heavy-weight boxer, at the Town Hall last night. The crowded house cheered the big New Zealander to the echo as he entered the hall with his New York bride, and the acclamations did not subside until the crowd has lustily sung “For he is a jolly good fellow.” In extending a welcome to Tom Heeney, the president of the Wellington Boxing Association (Mr. T. M. Wilford) said that he had fought one of the straightest, cleanest, and greatest fights the world had ever seen or heard of. Gene Tunney, the victor on that occasion, was one of the wonder-inen of the ring, and Heeney would tell them that he had been beaten fairly and squarely by a better man. Gisborne had produced some great men in the past; it had produced Sir James Carroll, one of Nature’s gentlemen and as tine a sportsman as this country had known. (Applause.) The welcome which Gisborne had recently given to her renowned son but re-echoed the sentiments of every New Zealander, and Wellington was proud and pleased that evening to welcome home Tom Heeney after his spirited bid for the world’s highest boxing honours. Mr. Heeney, on rising to respond, was accorded a remarkable ovation. In a modest speech, he said that many people believed the Americans to be bad sportsmen; he wished to remove this misapprehension. “When I fought Tunuey,” he said, “ninety per cent, of the Americans were with me.” He concluded by thanking them all for their hearty welcome. At this cheers broke out again, and lasted for some minutes. In response to persistent calls, Mrs. Heeney also spoke a few words of thanks for the hearty welcome which had been accorded them. T thought I was coming amongst strangers,” she said, “but you have all been so kind that I feel as ■if I were amongst my own people.” Prime Minister’s Tribute. • At this stage there were insistent calls for the Prime Minister (Right Hon. J. G. Coates). “Ou behalf of all the people of New Zealand,” said the Prime Minister, “I wish to extend a hearty welcome home to Mr. and Mrs. Tom Heeney. I met Tom in London, and found him just the same modest fellow he always was. By his splendid bid for the championship, Tom Heeney won the respect not only of Americans but of the whole world. (Applause.) He proved himself not only a great fighter, but a splendid loser.” (Applause.) The Leader of the Opposition (Mr. 11. E. Holland) joined in the welcome to Mr. Heeney. “It has been said,” remarked Mr. Holland, “that one fighter always admires another. (Applause.) The fighting I have done has been in a different ring to that of Mr. Heeney. I advise him to stick to his own line and not take to politics, as boxing is a much better paid calling.” Proceeding, Mr. Holland said that in his great fight with Tunney the New Zealand man had never given way an inch. To have stayed eleven rounds with such a man as Tunney showed rare lighting spirit, and. lent a hope that Tom Heeney would yet rise to the top, and become heavyweight boxing champion of the world. (Applause.) Sir Joseph Ward, leader of the United Political Party, said that he had found Tom Heeney surrounded by some of the best men in New York. It was a pity that Heeney was not going to give them an example of his prowess in the ring; what an example it would be to the men who fought with words only. The speaker went on humorously to suggest that political differences might be settled in the ring, remarking that after the battles had been fought he would be able to pick up the pieces, with Tom Heeney at his right hand to see him through. (Laughter.) Mr. and Mrs. Heeney were subsequently entertained by the Wellington Boxing Association at a social gathering in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, when a .large number assembled to do honour to the famous New Zealand boxer. High tributes to Heeney’s boxing ability and sportsmanlike qualities were paid by the president of the Wellington Boxing Association (Mr. T. M. Wilford), the Prime Minister (Right Hon. J. G. Coates), and the leaders of the other political parties. The utmost enthusiasm prevailed, and from the genuine welcome home extended to the Gisborne man it was evident that New Zealand is very proud of the high place he has won in the athletic world. Amongst the guests was Mr. B. Alslabie, president of the Gisborne Boxing Association. HEENEY VISITS PALMERSTON. Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, September 17. On his way to Wellington Tom Heeney, accompanied by Mrs. Heeney and Messrs. Parker, S. Bardwell, Collin and Earl Stewart, stopped in Palmerston North this morning. The party was met by officials of the Manawatu Boxing Association and welcomed to the town, and after a brief stay the party resumed its journey to Wellington.