THE ‘BONE-CRUSHERS’

Greymouth Evening Star, 30 May 1946, Page 2

THE ‘BONE-CRUSHERS’

WRESTLING AND BOXING CONTROVERSY FINANCIAL UNDERTAKING “You are worrying about these men from America. I haven’t seen you crying over the amateur boxers. You won’t even pay them their trophy money. It was over two months before the boys got paid out last time, and six weeks have passed and they have not yet been paid for the last tournament. To-night all you are concerned about is paying more to these bonecrushers.” This description of the visiting United States wrestlers was given by Mr. J. Finlay, a Greymouth boxing trainer, during a discussion at last evening’s annual meeting of the West Coast Boxing and Wrestling Association, on the financial aspects of to-morrow’s wrestling bout. Members’ Privileges.

The subject was introduced by Mr. B. W. Caulton, who moved that, in order to improve the association’s financial position, it be recommended to the incoming committee that all members’ subscriptions be increased from £l/3/- to £2/2/-, or to some other agreed figure. Mr. J.- B. Kent suggested that members be requested to pay halfprice to all parts, of the hall. The president, Mr. A. Beban, said that this would be hard on members, who were entitled' to ringside seats. He suggested that if the committee found it could not operate under the present arrangements a special meeting be called to discuss the position. It was suggested that the number of members (80) was too high and should be reduced. If all obtained ringside seats for nothing it would cut down receipts and, consequently, the proceeds obtained by the visiting wrestlers. This would result in Greymouth getting fewer bouts. Mr. Caulton pointed out that increased subscriptions would not alter the position. Mr. J. Griffen said that if any extra money was forthcoming, something should be done to assist amateur boxing in the town. Trainers carried the whole burden themselves and yet the association derived all the benefit. ' There should be two schools opened and a competitive spirit fostered. Catering For All. Mr. Finlay' at this stage gave his opinion of wrestling, and the chairman, in reply, pointed out ‘ that the association had to cater for all “fans.” He suggested that the attendance tomorrow night would be far bigger than that at a boxing contest. “Yet you want to give the association’s 20 per cent, to the wrestlers if the crowd isn’t big enough in order to encourage them,” asserted Mr. Finlay. Mr. Caulton’s motion was carried following further remarks on the relative merits of boxing and wrestling bouts.