WRESTLING BROADCASTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 May 1946, Page 3

WRESTLING BROADCASTS

EFFECT ON DOOR TAKINGS’ DISCUSSED MEETING OF ASSOCIATION Allegations that the broadcast descriptions of wrestling matches from the Town Hall were detrimental as far as the door-takings were concerned were made by members of the V/est Coast Boxing and Wrestling Association, which held its annual meeting last evening. After some discussion it was decided to continue the broadcasting of professional bouts. When the question was raised, the chairman, Mr. A. Beban, stated that the executive had discuss,ed it earlier in the week and had decided to leave the matter to the general meeting to reach a decision. He was in favour of. the broadcasts continuing.. One member suggested that if broadcasting was keeping the crowds away, commentary on the bouts should not start until after the second round. '

Mr. L. McGlashan: At one of our recent bouts there was a bigger crowd at one of the shops down the street .listening to the broadcast than there was in the hall. Our takings at the last three bouts were £92, £9B, and £lO2. I guarantee that there was equal that value in potential spectators not 200 yards from the Town Hall listening to the bout.

Opposing the suggestion that the broadcasts be suspended, members pointed out that many people in hospitals would like to hear the bouts broadcast,- as well as people in the country. It was suggested that those people who liked to listen in the street would not have attended in any case. Mr. F. W. Baillie, a former secretary, indicated that “gates” had not deteriorated since the broadcasting of bouts was commenced. The discussion then lapsed without a motion being put to the meeting. The. Better Night. Mr. B. W. Caulton asked which was the better night on which to stage a professional bout—Friday or Saturday? The chairman said he had not yet been able to decide which was the better. Bushmen wanted Saturday and the town people wanted Friday nights. Mr. F. Heslin pointed out that Runanga miners generally favoured the bouts being held on Saturday nights. The chairman then suggested that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee that a bout be held on a Saturday night. Mr. McDonnell pointed out that wrestlers usually appeared in another centre on the Monday night, and if they met in Greymouth on a Saturday night they would have no means of. leaving the town until the following Tuesday. It would be all right to stage boxing on Saturdays. Mr. Baillie stated that the shortage of petrol had actually brought about the change to Friday night. This position had now altered. It was decided that*the committee consider the proposals. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. A. Beban (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs. J. O’Donnell, J. B. Kent, F. W. Baillie, J. Griffen, M. McDonnell, -C. Neville; committee, Messrs. F. Costelloe, F. Bell, R. Hall, T. McGuiness, J. Finlay, F. Munn,. W. McLean, and W. Braithwaite; secretary, Mr. Pl E. Sweetman; treasurer, Mr. W. Braithwaite; auditor, Mr. J. E. A. McKeefry; emergency committee, the president, Messrs. J. Griffen and F. Costelloe; advisory match committee,, Messrs. F. Bell, J. Finlay, and F. W.i TBnillie ’ Tfie secretary was granted an honorarium of £l5. . The statement of receipts for last year showed that door, takings had amounted to £316/3/5 (amateur £5O/8/6 and professional £26.0 14/11), while members’ subscriptions realised £B9/14/-.’ Main items on the expenditure side included purses and travelling expenses for professional boxers, £196/8/-; amateur trophies, £l9/5/-; New Zealand Boxing Association percentages, £23 19/B•’amusement tax, £32/6/9; hall hire, £32/10/-: printing and advertising £26/6/6; repairs and erection of seats, £26/15/10; and advance to New Zealand Wrestling Union, £2o. The balance at the bank was £33 15/3, and the cash in hand £6/19/3. The excess of assets over liabilities was £2ll/8/6.

South African Tour.

The chairman reported that a team of New Zealand boxers would be selected at the end of this year to tour South Africa early next year. All expenses would be paid by the South African authorities. It behoved all on the Coast, therefore, to foster amateur boxing so as to enable the province to be represented in the team. He stated that three or four boxers on the Coast were of high standard, and 14 men were required in the team. It was the best invitation the New Zealand Boxing Council had ever had. Mr. Beban also requested that the West Cioast Association should send a strong team of delegates to the New Zealand conference this year, as he thought this would assist the province’s chances of having the New Zealand championships held at Greymouth next year. On the motion of Mr. F. Bell, a vote of thanks was accorded Mr. J. Finlay for his work in coaching amateur boxers in the district during the past year or more. Mr. Bell pointed out that Mr. Finlay was practically carrying on on his own.