THE EARLY DAYS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 234, 15 September 1934, Page 9

THE EARLY DAYS

Hastings Proud Distinction BOXiNG HEADQUARTERS H.8.8.A Established in 1908 FIRST YEARS OF ACTIVITY RECALLED. Though boxing was indulged in on occasions in Hawke’s Bay it was not until 1908 that boxing as a public sport was properly organised and brought under some responsible control. Prior to that the sport was of a spasmodic nature, resting solely with the appearances of touring professionals who came to the district and promoted occasional contests of a more or less genuine character. The proposal that amateur boxing in the district should be run on proper lines met with the support of many of the leading citizens of Hastings of that time and with the furtherance of the project there came into being the original controlling authority of boxing, not only for Hastings, but for the province of Hawke’s Bay.

The first step towards organised control was taken on February 17, 1908, when a preliminary meeting of enthusiasts was held in the old library, Dr. Copland presiding. A committee comprising Messrs. J. Hirons, J. Lucas, F. L. Bone and W. McClusky, with Mr. A. H. Rowe as secretary pro tern, was appointed to rally up supporters for a later publie meeting. On the evening of February' 26 this public meeting was held and the adoption of a motion moved by Mr. F. 8. Fagan, and seconded by Mr. A. H. Rowe “that an Amateur Boxidg Association be formed,’’ saw the real launching of boxing under proper control in this province under the body now known as the Hawke’s Bay Amateur Boxing Association. Mr. W. C. Whitloek, editor of the Hastings “Standard,” the forerunner of the “Tribune,’’ presided over a “large and enthusiastic assemblage of true sports’’ as the reporter at the meeting termed it.

A committee comprising Dr. Copland, Messrs. F. L. Bone. S. F. Haszard, G. F. Roach, W. C. Whitlock, A. Fial, J. Hiron, W, G. Jaegar, F. James, W. McClusky, W. 8. Fagan, J. Lucas, W. Hart, J. B. Gillespie, H. J. Weber, A. G. Hughes and A. H. Rowe was appointed, Mr. Rowe filling the office of secretary and Mr. Jaeger as treasurer. A subsequent meeting was held and Mr. G. P. Donnelly was appointed Patron, Sir William Russell, as president, Messrs. A. Dillon M.P., V. Roach, E. J. Watt, C. R. Wilson, T. H. Lowry, H. Brunton, A. Ellingham, H. G. P. Mortenson, J. Rivers and John Chambers and the Rev. Kayll, vicepresidents. Mr. 8. F. Haszard, the then Postmaster, was appointed chairman of the executive. On April 27 the new association was registered as an incorporate body. In accordance with Police Regulations, and it was ready to set about its proper duties. The First Tournamenr, The first properly-conducted and officially controlled tournament held in the Hawke’s Bay province took place under the auspices of the new association at Hastings on Monday, June 15, 1908. The promoters were determined that the tourney would be a financial success and 'it is interesting to note that the “Standard’’ carried a good sized display advertisement for a full two weeks before the date of the fixture. The old Princess Theatre was the venae and on the night, to quote the “Standard,’’ the theatre “was packed to the doors, there being a great many visitors from Napier, and also from up country.’’

Two professional bouts were staged, and old-timers rcall with enthusiasm the discussion that took place over the main attraction, that between Tim Tracy, of Wellington, the then lightweight champion, and “Gnat” Williams, of Palmerston North, and according to one version “half the town had set wagers on the fight.” Also on the programme was another professional fight between Jim Lucas, a local “pug” and Walter Fell, late of Lancashire, England.

This latter bout finished in the third round with the local man being knocked out. The star attraction provided a

great fight, honours being very even over the first dozen rounds; then Tracy livened up and sought to finish the contest. Williams put up a plucky showing, but in a thrilling last round Tracy got home with a K.O. and Referee J. Hiron finished his count just as the time-keepers were in the act of rapping the gong. The attention of the Association was now directed along the lines of promot-

ing amateur schools. The New Zealand amateur championships were being given prominence, and when interviewed by the “Standard” regarding representation of Hawke’s Bay at the National fixture, the secretary (Mr Rowe) intimated that the association was unable to have a "team trained owing to lack of competent instruction, but he struck an optimistic note when he redared: “Negotiations are being made for a first-class man from Auckland, and the committee hopes at an early date to have a team of invincibles.” The “first-class man” proved to be Bert Murphy, brother of the then exchampion, Billy Murphy, and on the assurance that there were “20 paying pupils and work in this trade” Bert landed in Hastings on July 20 and set up as the “official trainer of the H.8.A.8.A.” The wording of this announcement is interesting in view of the fact that Murphy apparently “trained” the Association, for the next big move was the matching of him with another Aucklander, Alf. Gault, for a purse of £6O, or £2O more than the Tracy-Williams bout.

Matters progressed quite well with the Association. The first annual meeting passed off with a round of congratulations. It is interesting to note that at this meeting Mr J. D. Donovan, the present chairman of executive, became a member of committee and he has been one ever since.

■The training of the “invincibles” did not bring about a marked improvement, though the province’s first representation at a New Zealand championship meeting tourney was recorded. A local middleweight, R. Campbell, was entered but failed to survive the first round. Commenting on the tourney the “Standard” stated: “Disappointment is felt locally that Campbell did not annex the New Zealand middleweight championship at Dunedin. His trainer (Bert Murphy) fully expected him to win.” Incidentally, the national championship resulted in a net profit of £2lO in that year. Amateurs in Public favour. | At this time amateur boxing was dei finitely in favour with the public in all parts of New Zealand. In Hawke’s I Bay particularly there was a big in ; crease in number, and this encouraged the association to organise a strictly amateur tournament —the first of its ■ kind in the province. The secretary I was then Mr Jaeger, who went about I the task in great fashion, and the reI suits of his labours were that on Sep- ■ tember 2, 190'J, an amateur tournament I was held in Hastings in which contest- : ants came from Wellington. Manawatu. Xapier, Petone, Waipawa, Gisborne and Ongaonga. There were nearly fifty entries and this was deemed a record for New