WRESTLING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23208, 30 November 1938, Page 20

WRESTLING

SUCCESS OF AMATEURISM ACTIVITIES IN AUCKLAND The annual dinner of the Auckland Wrestling Association was held last evening, when trophies won during tho season Here presented to the various winners. Mr. G. Helming, president ot' the association, presided. Guests at tho official table included Messrs. C. McCready and H. W. Bunker, of the match committee; A. Hodgson and H. Austin-Carr, vice-presidents; H. Ashb.v and C. Browne, of the amateur committee; R. Porter, treasurer; G. HealcL G. Learning, committeemen, and J. W. Kendall, of tho Returned Soldiers' Association, Auckland branch. A pleasing interlude in the proceedings was the presentation to Mr. Porter of a canteen of cutlery in view of his approaching marriage on Saturday week. In making the presentation on behalf of the executivo Mr. McCready, chairman of the match committee, complimented Mr. Porter on his work for the Auckland Wrestling Association, and said that his efforts had been greatly appreciated. Mr. Porter referred to his liappy associations with wrestling and considered that it was the finest developer of any sport. A cantocn of cutlery was also presented to Mr. F. Murphy in recognition of hin services as referee of the amateur bouts. The president of the Auckland branch of the Returned Soldiers" Association, Mr. Kendall. mentioned the good work of the Auckland Wrestling Association in donating some of its profits to the Returned Soldiers' Associaion, the Knox Home, tho Infirmary and the hospital. The change to the Olympic rules for the decision of amateur bouts in Auckland was referred to by Mr. Ashby, chairman of the amateur committee. The change, ho said, had been successful, in spite of tho fact that none of , Auckland's contenders in the. New Zealand championships had won titles. Mr. Ashby also mentioned with regret the deatha of two of Auckland's most prominent amateur wrestlers, P. Hill and H. W. Franklin. The gathorfng stood in silence as a mark of respect. ~ T . The Auckland professional wrestler, Lofty Blomfield, in commenting on the New Zealand amateur championships at Wcllingtoh, said that the Aucklanders made a good showing, although no titles came their way. Had they known the rules better they would have had more success. Amateur wrestling, as it is now conducted under Olympic rules in Auckland, should be a factor in the winning of overseas titles at the Olympic and Empire Games. Trips and tours were to be encouraged, and not until the Dominion won outside amateur titles would tho country bo recognised as a stronghold of tho sport. A trophy known as the Franklin Memorial Shield, donated by Mr. H. Austin-Carr, in memory of H. W. Franklin, who suffered fatal injuries during tho Auckland tournament, was presented to J. O'Connor, winner of the feather-weight division, who will hold tho trophy for one year. The presentation was mado by Franklin's father, Mr. W. Franklin.

Trophies were presented as follows: Auckland championships: Heavy-weight, W. Norion (winner), H. Cieghorne (runnor-up); light-hoavy-woight, S. Kemp, H. Way] middle-weight, J. Aspin, W. S. Aspin; welterweight, A. Nicol, J. Sicamem; light-weight, L. W. D. Ball, K. Brewer; feather-weight, J. O'Connor, F. Whitcombe; bantam-weipht, T. Harvey, R. Pekin. Zeebruggo Shield, for gamest fightor: G. Shaw. Inter-gym-nasium competitions: Heavy-weight, lig. L>t-heavy-weight, ifliddle-woight, welter-weight, bantam-weight, "Auckland Gymnasium; lightweight, Y.M.C.A.i feather-weight, Lynndale.