BOXING.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 82, 16 March 1922, Page 2

BOXING.

HAWKE’S BAY ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual mooting of the Hawke’s Bay Boxing Association was held last night, Air H. M. Campbell, M.P., presiding over an attendance of over 40 members.

Thu annual report eongiatdlated tire members on another successful year’s work. A loss was shown on all tourneys, caused on two occasions by one of the principals being unable to’ compete through illness, and on the others, by extremely bad weather. A good deal of money had been Spent On the equipment of the rooms for the use of amateurs, mid the association had now training quarters second to none in the Dominion. As the chief object of the association was the development of amateur boxing, the money had been well spent. The local amateurs had made a name for themselves through the Dominion and their services were eagerly sought after by other associations. The revised rules whereby every member of the association was entitled to vote, came into force this year, and the increased nominations for the committee, etc,, showed that the members appreciated the alteration made. The new associations (Napier and Wairoa) had been started this year, and the association, ns the centre, hud given all the assistance required. Owing to the energy and zeal shown by the members of these associations they now ranked with the best in the Dominion. The association was in communication with Mr Corbett, of Sydney, to select two first-class contestants form the association’s next tourney on Hawke’s Bay 'Cup day, and they Imped to place before the public something worthy of the association’s reputation as the premier club of the Dominion. Thanks were due to the retiring committee and officers, the hon. medical officers (Drs Barcroft, do Boissiere, Johnston, Mnedoncll and' Wilson) for the kindly assistance, given at all times, when required, often at great inconvenience to themselves. The balance-sheet showed an excess of assets over liabilities, amounting to £5lB. s The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, said that the loss was not as had as it seemed. They hud experienced one of the worst years that they had ever gone through, and they had only lost £215, as against £.117 last year. What touched them most was the loss entailed by so many members deserting the association. Under the circumstances, he thought the executive should be congratulated on the verv fine result, ABOUT THE THEATRE. Air C. L. Mackersey, chairman of committee, said that the result was not as good as he would like it, but they had been up against it the whole time.’They had very bad luck. They had to put on scratch matches, and they had met with bad weather. One of the worst things they were up against, however, was the hull. No place in Hastings gave the association encouragement. The Municipal Theatre was the only place suitable for staging the contests, and instead of encouraging the association, the council did just the reverse. On one occasion the council wanted to charge £5O, but they were able to-got it reduced to £3O. If the ' association wanted to do anything they must get a stadium of their own, and they hud lost the chance of getting one when they had the money. They should make an effort in that direction.

Mr G. Maddispn, who is a member of the Borough Council, made an explanation. He pointed out that the council had come to an agreement with Mr Kembcll, which made it impossible for them, as a local body, to give the as"oeiation tho theatre" without breakinthis contract. Tho association had the sysmpathy of the council, and recently a resolution had been carried recommending that the theatre be given to the association on a Saturday night.’ but it could not be done. It would be necessary for the incoming commitee to exercise every care and economy, and he had no doubt, from the enthusiasm so evident at the meeting, that the ensuing year would be most successful. Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Following officers and executive were appointed for the ensuing year:— Patron, Mr J. Chambers; president, Mr W. G. Stead; vice-presidents, Messrs C. Mackersey and J. H. Macniven; treasurer, Mr M. Johnson; auditor, Mr G. Hartshorn; committee, Messrs A. W. Apperley, J. D. Donovan, A. J. Ellingham, G. Hartshorn, W. G. Jaeger, .1. Landols, G. Maddison, It. Martin ami 'A. E. O ’Meara.

An honorarium of £5 5s was accorded to Mr George Hartshorn, hon auditor. On the motion of Messrs R. Martin and W. Lc Bas, it was decided that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to review the question of the secretary’s salary. Mr Martin said that he understood the secretary of the Napier Association received £lOO a year, and the secretary of the Hawke’s Bay Association, which was the centre, had much more work to do.

Mr C. L. Mackersey, chairman of the executive, was elected a life member ol the executive with acclamation as a mark of the association’s appreciation ot nis valuable services.

Votes of thanks were accorded Mr M Johnson, hon treasurer, Mr 0. L Mackersey, chairman of committee, the retiring officers, and the Press. Mr W. G. Stead thanked the members for electing him president, saying that he would do everything he could to assist in promoting the spirit of boxinoand the interests of the association ”