COURTING CONTESTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 July 1925, Page 8

COURTING CONTESTS

WELLINGTONIAN’S PLEASANTRY

“Mercury” sends a clipping from the “Grey River Argus” which throws a sidelight on sporting matters on the once-golden Coast (writes T.D.H. in the “Dominion”). At a farewell to a departing postal official at the Brian Boru Hotel, we are told that — After the loyal toast had been musically honoured, the toast of “Kindred Sports” was fittingly commented on by the chairman and responded to by Messrs N. Jones (Rugby), J. Sullivan (tennis), W. Veitch (golf), Elias Kear (cricket), H. Chalk (courting).

Our correspondent adds: “On inquiry I find that the local courting championships are very keenly contested, and the winning of the big event of the tournament, The Gent’s Singles (Championship and Loving Cup), is looked upon very much as a triumph. “Interest is very keen too in the Ladies’ Singles (championship and medal with two clasps). Last year when a practically unknown High School girl, still in her teens, representing one of the smaller gold-dig-ging camps, fought her way to the final, and was beaten by points only after a bitter struggle with the titleholder, feeling, I believe, Tan more than high. I am told that her technique was up to the best standards. In the Jazz-and-Joy-riding Department, in her ‘Dark’ work in the picture palace, and in the ‘Good-night-at-the-Gate’ Department I —in all these branches of sport she obviously held her own. Apparently she was beaten by her more experienced rival not on speed but on endurance, though, admittedly, the latter’s work in the close-up stuff and clinches is said to have been very fine.

“The junior events are keenly contested, too, and excite much interest among the younger set, and it is said that this season will see a large field out for the Maiden Singles. "Apparently the sport has a great future on the Coast. It may or may not be significant that last week the West Coast boxing championships for 1925 lapsed through lack of entries.”

There should be better days ahead for the boxing, though, when the courting veterans have chosen their sparring partners.