ROUGH TACTICS NOT FAVOURED

Evening Star, Issue 22086, 20 July 1935, Page 10

ROUGH TACTICS NOT FAVOURED

VISITING WRESTLERS' VIEWS Fiery tactics as resorted to by the all-in showman type of American wrestlers are not favoured by Earl M'Cready and his manager, Mr Walter Miller, who in an interview with a ' Star' reporter contended that real wrestling was a science requiring much study, and that. a man adequately schooled would practically without fail " lay out the jumping, airplaning, cata-. pulting experts smooth and flat." New Zealand has this season had its share of rough-house tactics, and it has consequently been claimed in the Press that the average New Zealand wrestling patron is treated to more of this sort of thing than is the case with the common run of American, who pays to witness an all-in battle. A denial of this was given by the visiting matmen, who, however, commented on the strict control of the sport in the States, where, as New Zealanders may be surprised to learn, it is not infrequent for wrestlers to be viewed with disfavour by the commissioners of the Wrestling Union, and disqualified for periods of sometimes more than six months.

“ I believe in scientific wrestling,” Walter Miller said. ‘New Zealanders, too, appear to approve of it, judging by the way Earl has been packing them in. He wrestles cleanly all the time, and avoids anything savouring of the showman.” Earl smiled. He is undoubtedly the most massive and striking personality of the mat game who has visited the dominion in recent years. Standing 6ft 2in, he is very broad and well proportioned, and weighs about 17st. He was born 27 years ago in Lansdowne, Ontario, arid at the age of three he went with his parents, who were farmers, to Regina. Saskatchewan. It was at school that he became acquainted with the sport, and eventually he started his career in the ring by winning the Canadian amateur championship four years in succession. Then, while studying in Oklahoma, he took the intercollegiate honours for three years running, later holding the national amateur title for a year. In 1930 he secured the British Empire amateur championship, and two years ago took the professional crown from Jack Taylor, Since coming to the Dominion he has beaten all of his seven opponents, the hardest of whom, he said, was " Lofty ” Blomfield, the Aucklander, who had impressed both visitors with his gameness and aggressiveness, and is regarded by them as a coming man in the sport, Mr Miller also spoke of Wade’s ability, and likened him to his tutor, John Pesek, “ one of the world’s wonder men in the sport,” who took two straight falls out of George Walker a few seasons ago in Auckland. Sydney promoters were particularly eager to stage a bout between Pesek and M'Creadv, and the latter was ready to meet this opponent, just as he would meet anyone who wanted to step into the ring with him. And *his brought the conversation around to ; the pressure that is being brought to bear on George .Walker to settle with M'Cready the question as to who is now entitled to the British Empire heavy-weight championship. “ We are tired of talking and no action. We want Walker to come forward and wrestle it out, and I feel convinced he will leave the ring satisfied as to who the champion is,” said Mr Miller. “ Walker is a good wrestler, and he owes it to the New Zealand public to settle the dispute beyond doubt. If he avoids meeting Earl he will never be a card again. Furthermore, Walker’s allegation that Koloff is connected with the wrestlers at present in the Dominion is not true. Most of them, like M'Cread.y, are free-lances. Koloff is now in France, and I don’t think he will ever have a connection in America.

“It is not yet definitely known when the wrestlers who have promised to come out to Australia will be there, but we intend to stay on in New Zealand at least another month, and after a return tour of Australia we intend to visit South Africa and Egypt,” Mr Miller concluded. M'Crendy is to meet Glenn Wade at the Town Hall to-night in their first contest, which is expected to provide the utmost in scientific wrestling. BOWLING MORNINGTON CLUB j At the annual meeting of the Mornington Bowling Club on Wednesday evening over 30 members were present. Mr D. Cunningham occupied the chair. Mr J. 6. Butler (president) welcomed the members, and referred to the great loss the club had suffered during the past year through the deaths of Messrs W. Hobbs, H. E. Wilson, F. Hollingworth, and R. Potts, all of whom had been active and helpful supporters of the club over a long period. The members stood in silence as a mark of respect to their memories. It was,, announced that the family of the late Mr Hobbs had given the very fine cup now inscribed as the Hobbs Memorial Cup for annual competition for first, second, and third year players. The billiard players of the Winter Club also had a very fine shield presented for annual competition between the Billiards Club and the Dunedin Tramways Club. The annual report was adopted. A notice of motion by Mr A. Walker to raise the subscriptions received almost unanimous support from the meeting. The result was that subscriptions for full members were raised to £3 ss, or £3 if paid by January 31, an increase of ss, and the fee for new members was increased similarly. The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr D. Cunningham: vicepresident, Mr T. Louden; secretary, Mr J. L. Smith; treasurer, Mr Watson M'Ghie; auditor, Mr W. Nicholson; delegates to the centre —Messrs J. G. Butler and L. J. Ireland; ties, Mr J. Perry; sole selector, Mr J. Perry; committee —Messrs R. Liddell, L. J. Ireland, S. M'Donald, A. Walker, W. Hodge, and C. Turner. It was decided to play ties the same as last year, with the exception of championship doubles, which are to be 21 heads instead of 16. An inquiry from the centre as to the opinion of the club on grading of players did not receive support. Those present were unanimously against the principle of grading in the game of bowls where the social aspect enjoyed, or should enjoy, such prominence.

MERRITT AS COACH ENGAGED BY CANTERBURY (Per United Press- Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 19. W. E. Merritt, the former Canterbury and New Zealand representative cricketer and the best slow bowler New Zealand produced for many years, have been engaged as professional coach to the Canterbury Cricket Association for the coming season. Merritt has been playing in the Lancashire League since 1932, and has been one of the outstanding players in league cricket. He holds the league bowling record, which had previously been held by the great Barnes. Merritt will take up his duties as coach early in October. HARRIER DELEGATES MEET CONTROL AND MANAGEMENT fP«a United Peeks Association.) WELLINGTON, July 19. “ For what it’s worth I’ll give my casting vote in favour of the motion,” said Mr R. W. Watterson, chairman of the conference of harrier delegates this evening at the conclusion of the voting on the motion—“ That a subcommittee be set up to draw up a constitution for the federated bodyj having full power of control and management of the harrier movement, such body to be affiliated to the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association.” The remit was moved by Mr Watterson (Wellington) after an amendment by the West Coast of the North Island had been lost. Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay, and Wellington voted for the motion with Auckland, Otago, and the West Coast against it. A dispute as to whether the chairman had a casting vote followed, the Auckland and West Coast delegates asking that their protest at the casting vote be recorded. HOCKEY UNIVERSITY TEAM FOR FIJI [Per United Press Association.) , CHRISTCHURCH, July 19. The following New Zealand University team has been selected to tour Fiji:— Goalkeeper, L. R. Hercus (Otago); full-backs, R. D. M'Ewan (Victoria), S. M‘Donald (Canterbury); half-backs —F. H. Stewart (Victoria), C. V. Walter (Canterbury), E, S. Hobson (Otago), P. L. Newcombe (Victoria) ; forwards—R. J. Walton (Otago), K. N. Struthers (Massey College), H. B. Lawry (Massey College), E. R. Huston (Canterbury), H. C. Ford (Canterbury), L. B. Deney (Victoria). The team will sail by the Niagara on August 20 ; and will play five matches in Fiji. GOLF m FOR OTAGO UNIVERSITY [Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 19. The annual golf match between the University of Otago and Canterbury University College was played at the Christchurch Gold Club’s course at Shirley to-day, and was won by Otago by seven games to five. The Otago team gained a lead of two matches in the foursomes, which were played in the morning, the singles, played in the afternoon, 1 ended all square, each team winning four games. YACHTING CORNWELL CUP CONTESTS Mr G. R. Curtis, chairman of the New Zealand Yachting Council, has advised Mr W. 0. Martin (Otago councillor) that ns the result of a conference held in Auckland between the Takapuna Boating Club and Mr Curtis, Captain Keane (president of the Wellington Provincial Yacht and Motor Boat Association), and Mr E. T. Molter (president of Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association) an agreement, subject to ratification by the associatum® comprising the New Zealand Yachting Council, has been reached whereby the Cornwall Cup contest will be resumed on a Dominion basis.

COURSING NEW ZEALAND WATERLOO [Pm United Press Association.] HAMILTON, July 19. The National Coursing Association’s New Zealand Waterloo meeting was advanced to the semi-finals in the Hamilton Club’s enclosure this afternoon. Red Rufus (Waitara), Just Peter (Patea), Soliaire (Patea), Rhodesia (Wanganui), ■ and Father Emerson (Waihi) qualified . for the fourth round, and in the semi-final tomorrow Red Rufus will meet Father Emerson. Rhodesia, which has drawn a bye, will meet the winner in the • final. Thirty-seven dogs were entered for the cup, and 18 have qualified for the Waterloo Purse, and nine for the Waterloo Plate, which will be completed to-morrow. TURF IN ENGLAND Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, July 19. (Received July 20, at 10 a.m.) The Eclipse Stakes, 1m and 2f (run at Sandowu Park), .resulted: — ? ■ WINDSOR LAD ... 1 Theft 2 Fair Trial Five started. Won by three-quar-ters of a length; same distance between second and third. TURF IN FRANCE EX-AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright PARIS, July 19. (Received July 20, at 10 a.m.) Togo Johnstone (formerly of Australia) heads the winning jockeys with 49 wins out of 251 mounts. Sibbntt is third with 22 wins out of 134 mounts.