WRESTLING ACTIVITIES

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 128, 1 June 1935, Page 23

WRESTLING ACTIVITIES

"BATTLE OF THE PERMITS"

The past week has not been jWithout incidents so far as wrestling goes, particularly in Wellington, now regarded as headquarters, for, apart from the now notorious fiasco at Auckland, very little has taken place in other parts of the country. It had been announced by preliminary advertisement that Earl McCready and Walter Miller would arrive on Monday last, and that the first-named was to meet one of the American wrestlers in the ring unders.the auspices of the National Sporting Club. Though not so stated, it was presumed that the venue would be at the Winter Show Buildings, where that club usually staged its matches. In the meantime there had been raging the "battle of the permits," the issue of one for the match being strenuously opposed by the Wrestling Union authorities. Apparently the objectors won the first round, as the match was not held. Incidentally, the date was used for a rival match at the Town Hall. THE EMPIRE TITLE. Earl McCready's publicity includes a claim to the British Empire championship, which, strangely enough, is also claimed by George Walker, of New Zealand. Both these men have graduated from Canada, and, presumably, it was on that British territory that the title became involved. It is, of course, notoriously the case that almost every wrestler lays claim to one or other of the unlimited titles lying around like pebbles on the beach. However, it is most likely that before George Walker came to New Zealand some seven or eight years ago he had annexed the title in Canada. If he had it then he has not been beaten for it since. But after he left Canadian territory McCready probably won his way to the vacant top. Whatever the circumstances, a match between these two in New Zealand seemed likely to take place. It was therefore with considerable disappointment that wrestling fans found it was necessary for McCready to continue his journey on to Australia. Walker made a hurried journey to Wellington for the purpose of signing up a match with McCready, either in Sydney or Wellington. Delayed at Paekakariki with a broken axle, Walker just missed the Makura. The challenge, it is stated, came from McCready, and was by cable through the Pioneer Athletic Club of New Zealand. Walter Miller also went on to Sydney. ' WADE STARTS WELL. Glen Wade, the latest addition to the American team working for the Wrestling Union, made his debut at Wellington on the day of his arrival. He certainly impressed very favourably, and may be regarded as one of the best matmen ever to visit this country. Another newcomer is Peter Venter, a South African young man, whose records show that while wrestling in Australia during the past six months he lost only four matches out of thirtythree. MR. FOLLARD RESIGNS. A sequel to the Williams-Pereira match at Auckland last Monday was the resignation of Mr. C. Pollard from the position of referee to the Auckland Wrestling Association. He gave as his reason for resigning that the executive committee had failed to uphold his decision. Mr. Pollard can be excused for taking umbrage over the deal he received. Despite a previous announcement that Lofty Bloomfield would be arriving in New Zealand last week, the Auckland boy, it is now stated, has not left the United States. Dr. Len Hall, writing from Rome to a friend in Wellington, repeats an earlier intimation that he might visit New Zealand towards the end of the season.