NAVAL RECRUIT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20190, 7 March 1940, Page 8

NAVAL RECRUIT

FAREWELL TO BOXER WELTER CHAMPION D. HEENEY'S DEPARTURE 1 i Members of the executive of the Gisborne Boxing Association and past | members of that body last evening jj farcwelled the New Zealand amateur i| welterweight champion Darcy Heeney. ’ and offered their congratulations to him on his acceptance as a recruit for ij the Royal New Zealand Navy. lie •; leaves on Saturday to report at the , naval depot at Auckland. I The opportunity was taken to pre- ! sent the departing boxer with the Semmcns Cup, a trophy presented by a prominent supporter of boxing in the district, for the most successful boxer over the lightweight class. Heeney is credited with three wins at , the national tournament, and another ! over W. Little, Auckland, the latter in the Gisborne ring. The runner-up in the Semmens Cup competition was G. I-ladwen, with two wins. Heeney also received the award of the Ben Aislabte Memorial Cup, for the outstanding amateur boxer of the 1939-40 season. The latter is a challenge trophy, and is held for one year only. The presentations were made by Mr. H. P. Hamilton, president of the association, and his remarks were supported by Mr. W. Lissant Clayton, the patron of the association, Dr. 11. Colliding Rice, and other speakers. Heeney was farewelled later by the Marist Football Club, of which he has been captain for the past two seasons. Mr. R. Quinn made a presentation, on behalf -of his fellow-members, of a piece of plate suitably inscribed. Tile fitting-shop staff of the Gisborne Refrigerating Company’s Kaiti works also farewelled Darcy Heeney earlier ih the week. Messrs, T. Ilfbbert and W. Cameron recalled that Mr. Heeney had served his apprenticeship of five years in the shop, and had since done credit to his training there. They wished him the best of luck in his service with the navy, and a safe return to civil life at the conclusion of the war.