WRESTLING DECISIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22251, 28 October 1935, Page 10

WRESTLING DECISIONS

RESENTMENT BY SPECTATORS KEROSENE TIN AS GONG Resenting several decisions given by tho referee in the amateur preliminary bouts, a laige section of the crowd which witnessed the wrestling matches at the Town Hall on Saturday evening staged a demonstration when it was learned that the same official would figure in tho professional contest. The referee had come in for considerable criticism during the course of the amateur programme, but the hooting and heckling became more intense as the announcements for the main bout were being made. It was the first programme staged by the newly-formed Dominion Sporting Club, and the president, Mr. H. X. Preston, entered the ring in order to address the spectators. He had considerable difficulty in making himself heard, however, owing to tho pandemonium, there being frequent calls for another referee. After the announcement that the referee had been giving pin falls in, tho amateur bouts, but would recognise tho three-seconds rule in the professional contest, the crowd appeared mollified. The appearance of the principal contestants a few seconds later gave the spectators a fresh interest. More humorous was the failure of the bell, which was being used as a eong. At its best tho bell was capable of only a feeble ring and, when it ceased to function entirely, the time-keepers had several anxious moments. A hasty search revealed a kerosene tin, which, with a mallet, seemed a likely substitute. Jn the meantime officials were experimenting with the bell, which, ringing unexpectedly during an interval between rounds, caused one of the contestants to rise from his chair under tlie impression that the next round had commenced. Further amusement was created when the wrestlers failed to hear the timekeeper strike the kerosene tin and wrestled 011 for several seconds. It was not until the official beat a roll 011 the tin that the wrestlers broke apart.