VISITORS TO HASTINGS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 237, 19 September 1934, Page 6

VISITORS TO HASTINGS

Civic Welcome Extended HONOUR FOR HAWKE’S BAY N.Z. Boxing Championships The first official public function in connection with the New Zealand amateur boxing championships tournament, which opens in Hastings this evening, was hold this morning, when His Worship the Mayor, Mr G. A. Maddison, accorded the visiting boxers and delegates to the New Zealand Boxing Association conference a civic welcome in the Assembly Hall.

After according a hearty welcome to the visitors on behalf of the people oi Hawke's Bay and of Hastings in particular, Mr. Maddison said that this was the third occasion that the boxing championship tournament had taken place in the district, and he hoped it would not. be the last occasion. The fact that Hawke's Buy had been so honoured, he said, was attributable to the prominence that the province had gained in the realm of sport, it was very pleasing to note that the administrators of boxing in this country hud such confidence in Hawke’s Bay, and on behalf of the people he reciprocated the gesture oi goodwill by extending a warm welcome to the visitors.

“it is not altogether as boxers that we greet you,” continued His Worship. "leu come also in the manner oi auiOassauors, representing the various uiscncts oi tile nonunion, unil the luct that you assemble from year to year fosters a spirit ol goodwill and iirm lellowship among the people ot the various districts in which you meet annually.”

Mr. Muddison went oil to say that boxing was a manly sport and taught one to be magnanimous, and developed ihose attributes that were typical ol the great British stock Horn which i\ew Zeainnuers had sprung. He saiu dial ui the Great War it was a striking luci that many ol those who hud been piouucts ol the various sports, especially of the ring, hud achieved prominence in the armies on the various Allied fronts.

Referring to the activities of the Hawke’s Bay Boxing Association, Mr. Muddison said that the organisation had come into existence in 1908, and its life was embodied in that of the borough. It had experienced its heyday and dark days, but its affjrs had always been ably and prudently administered. It was worthy of note that it was the Hawke’s Bay Association that gained the distinction of sta ing the bout between Clabby and Iren that resulted in the takings amounting to over £lOOO. “Let us hope we will have a speedy return to those prosperous times,” ho remarked, amid cheers.

Mr. Maddison went on to give the visitors an indication of the rapid growth that had taken place in Hastings, and pointed out that 17 years ago the population of tho borough was 6UUO; now it was nearly 18,000, x and he said that no other borough in New Zealand had progressed so rapidly in its percentage of population. Hastings, he pointed out, was the sentre of a province in productivity and its products were not excelled anywhere. Concluding his remarks, Mr. Maddison again extended a warm welcome to the visitors, and assured them that the utmost hospitality would be extended to them on their visit, which be trusted would be a memorable one lor them as well as for the people of Hawke’s Bay.

Mr. D. H, Newbigin, president of too New Zealand and the Hawke's Bay Boxing Associations, also tendered a sincere welcome and expressed his confidence that the national tournament would be g success.

The thanks of the visitors was expressed by Mr. E. A. Dawson, treasurer of the New Zealand Council, who also referred to the prominence that Hawke’s Bay had achieved in matter of sport as well us in primary pro-' duction. Boxing, he said, was a fine sport, for in addition to the attributes referred to by His Worship the Mayor, it developed physical fitness and rigid command of the body. “Boxing is one of the finest, cleanest, and best sports in the world,” he declared. “Boxing teaches one to be generous and kind to women and children and in many other ways it has a beneficial effect on tho building up of good citizens.”

So far as the boxers themselves were concerned, Mr. Dawson declared: “You will be more proud of the boys when they leave your town than you are now, lor they will bo a credit to all and will leave behind them pleasant associations and friendships.” The sincerity of tho welcome to the visitors was commented upon by Mr. G. Aldridge, secretary to the New Zealand Boxing Council, who also replied expressing thanks and appreciation of the reception. He, too, assured the people of Hastings and Hawke's Bay that the boxers would leave after having created a good impression. “We wish tho people of Hawke's Bay every success, and so far as the present tournament is concerned, we are confident that it is going to be a wonderful success.” The function concluded with .Mr. Dawson calling upon the visiting boxers and delegates to give three cheers for the people of Hawke's Bay.