VISITING WRESTLERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22694, 5 April 1937, Page 16

VISITING WRESTLERS

AUSTRALIAN AMATEUR TEAM ENTERTAINMENT AT DINNER The members of the Australian amateur wrestling team which is to participate in a series of contests against 'Auckland amateurs at the Town Hall to-night were the guests of the Auckland Association at dinner at the Hotel Auckland on Saturday evening. There was a large attendance of Auckland amateurs and trainers of the different gymnasiums. Mr. G. Henning, president of the Auckland Wrestling Association, presided, ami all the members of the executive were present. In extending a Welcome to the visitors, Mr. Henning said they were the pioneers of international wrestling, being. the first team to come from Australia. He mentioned the fact that a fund for injured amateurs was under consideration. He hoped the Australians would have an enjoyable stay in New Zealand, and that they would find worthy opposition in their contests with tho Aucklanders. Mr. T. Hinch, manager of the visiting team, said the amateur and prolessioual sides of the sport in Australia were governed entirely separately, and amateur wrestling was under the solp jurisdiction of tlie Australian Amntc f ur Boxing and Wrestling Association. Each State found its own finance with which to send teams to the Australian championships, which were decided alternately in the various centres. Mr. Hinch added that ho hoped New Zealand amateurs would be given the opportunity of participating in the British Empire Games in Sydney next year, and then in the next Olympic Games at Tokio in 1910. Trophies, in the form of silver cups, were presented to the winners and runners-up at the last Auckland championships by Mr. Henning. When he came, to the middle-weight, the pros' dent was compelled to express regret that the winner, J. McDonald, had since met his death by accident. As a mark c-f respect to the wrestler's • Memory/ all present stood in silence The-.trophy,; was received by Mr. McDonald's broi-hxw:.