POPULAR TOM HEENEY

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10726, 25 October 1928, Page 6

POPULAR TOM HEENEY

LAST VISIT iOi\ r X.Z. TOUR. BOXER AND WIFE ATTEND BOVS’ CLUB. DONATION OF GLOVES AND PUNCHING BAG. DELIGHTED LADS RECIPROCATE FLAG TO BE TAKEN TO KINDRED CLUB IN NEW YORK. ' (Special to tho Times.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 24. AATien Tom Heeney and his wife sailed by the Niagara en route ; to the United States: to-day, they carried with them a small Nofw Zealand banner presented i>y the hoys of the Community Sunshine Club, in Nelson street, to Airs. Heeney, with the request■"that. L she should hand over Abe. flag to a kindred chib in New York State, to commemorate the visit, of herself'and her husband Jo the Sunshine Club in Auckland. V ’ , ■ This visit was Tom Heeney’s only public appearance in Auckland. Having been “lionised” almost beyond endurance throughout their New Zealand visit, Mr. and Alr.s. ' Heeney spent their few days’ sojourn in Auckland evading publicity, but they broke their rule to pay a surprise visit to the Community Sunshine' Club. The' boys of Freeman’s. Bay and Newton districts went frantio with excitement when Tom He-onog,' and his wife, accompanied by the officials of the Northern. Boxing Association, suddenly appeared before them. Their applause was beyond description when Tom stood up to speak to the boys. Ho explained that to be true sportsmen hoys must be sincere in all they did and “play the game” fairly. In sport they .must “he square.” He congratulated the lads on having such fine quarters,and with the opportunities they had it was quite possible that they might one day send a world champion from the club. He promised to donate a pair of boxing gloves to tho club.

Airs. Heeney also spoke, wishing the hoys and the club success. Both visitors autographed the club’s book, and on leaving they were once, again wildly cheered, and practically mobbed by the boys, who kept the pair shaking hands till the car drove away.

Tom more than kept his promise to 'the . hoys, for next day a pair of firstclass boxing, gloves and a punching hag of the highest quality arrived at the. club with his compliments. The boys of the club determined that Tom and Mrs. Heeney must have' some; memento of- the, occasion. They clubbed together, and got a New Zealand fine, which they took to their director. Air. Williamson, with the request that i.t he. given to Airs. Heeney to take to the States _ and presented for exhibition in a suitable club in New York, as a memento of tile Auckland boys’ admiration for her husband.

When Air. AVilh’amson passed on the flag, Airs. Heeney was deeply touched, and willingly accepted the trust. “I’d like to have the flag myself,” she declared, “but I’ll ho tickled to death to do just what tho hoys want with it.” She said sho was-, sure* Tex. R.ieJsa.r.d would help Tom .to pla^pM-lie..flag where it would'do most'good.