TOM HEENEY AT PALMERSTON

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 302, 21 September 1928, Page 16

TOM HEENEY AT PALMERSTON

GUEST OF LOCAL BOXING ASSOCIATION Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, September 19. Mr. and Mrs. Tom Heeney were guests of the Manawatu Boxing Association at the Casey-Purdy bout to night. Tom Heeney addressed the audience, and later presented the trophies to the winners of the amateur bouts. Following the professional fight they were entertained by the association at a banquet at the Municipal Hall, a large gathering of boxing and sporting enthusiasts, including Charlie Purdy and Harry Casey, attending to pay tribute to New Zealand’s outstanding boxer and his wife. In proposing the toast, “Mr. and Mrs. Tom Heeney,” Mr. A. J. Graham. Mayor of Palmerston North, voiced the opinion that Palmerston citizens would support him in eulogising Tom Heeney’s remarkable perseverance and the manner in which he had overcome the numerous obstacles to fight his way in a foreign country, away from his own kith and kin, to a most prominent position in the world of sport. The speaker was sure that no greater interest was taken anywhere in the Dominion than in Palmerston in Heeney’s career in America. He also assured Mrs. Heeney that, although she was in a strange land, that New Zealand she would find to be a most hospitable country, and concluded by wishing Mr. and Mrs Heeney a prosperous and happy future. Replying, Mr. Heeney, who was greeted with applause, stated that amongst those present were some of his best friends in the Dominion. He appreciated the Manawatu Boxing Association’s bouquet of flowers upon his arrival in Auckland, and. although he had received numerous bouquets, he carried all of them. On behalf of his wife and himself, he thanked the Manawatu Association for its cordial welcome. The toast of “The Manawatu Boxing Association” was proposed by Mr. B J. Jacobs. Mr. E. Wimsett. president of the association, replying suitably The toast of “The New Zealand Box ing Council” was proposed by Mr. M A. Elliott. Mr. G. Aldridge acknowledg ing.