TOM HEENEY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 13 September 1928, Page 9

TOM HEENEY.

RETURN TO GISBORNE. ACCORDED A GREAT WELCOME (By Telegraph—Press Association.) GISBORNE, Sept. 13. Gisborne was befliagged for Tom Heeney’s home-coming. A large crowd, assembled to witness Kis arrival. Heeney and his wife attended a banquet |o-ivon in their honour at Opotiki last night and. afterwards motored to M'otu, taking the train 'from there, reaching the town about 11 o ’clock this morning’. They took up a position on the hotel balcony and -were loudly 'cheered by the crowd. Addresses of welcome were delivered by the. Mayor and other citizens. Ileeney will be entertained by representatives of the numerous public bodies to-night. To-mor-row he attends a boxing contest and will give a sparring exhibition with his brother Jack. On Saturday nightlie will be entertained by t’he Gisborne and a visiting party of Wellington Savages. GISBORNE, Sept. 13. Tom Ileeney, in reply to addresses of welcome, praised the American sportsmanship. lie said that he had igone there unknown, to be treated as though he was an American. The people of the United States were considered here and elsewhere to’ be poor sports, “but,” said Tom “you can get that right out of your head..” He announced that when ho had finished his career he would come (back and settle in Gisborne. Mrs .Heeney in response to a call from the .crowd also spoke in reply.

KEENEY’S RESPONSE.

“You’ve got, me stuck up here to-dav and I don’t know what to say,” remarked Heeney, as he stepped forward and weathered a storm of 'cheering. “All kind things have been said,” he continued, ‘'‘and I supp'ose I should hit you on the back and say something nice about you too. I can’t find words, but I can -say that, it gives me great delight, to receive -such a welcome from the town I was born in. I know you don’t- know much about fighting; I don’t knenv much myself,” continued Heeney. “I only thought Ivknew something about it, but then I met Tunney. I wa-s after the championship and did not get it, but now Tunney has decided t'o marry and retire and that gives me a -chance. T will return to the States in December to fight 'an elimination series, there being about four men with -good chances, of whom I 'am lucky enough to be -one. When I get back there the memory of all the good things you have - said about me will make me -put -a bit more -snap into my work. I cannot thank you enough for what you have done for me. I am tickled to death to get back among vou all. ’ ’