BOXING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6313, 13 September 1907, Page 7

BOXING

VISITORS ENTERTAINED. PRESENTATION TO COMPETITORS. There was a large attendance of members of tho Wellington Boxing Association and visitors at Mawson’s restaurant last night, on the occasion of a “social” and presentation tendered to the successful competitors and runners-up in the recent boxing contests held in the Opera House. The winners in the different weights were made tho recipients of gold medals, while suitable trophies were given to the runners-up. Th© Hon. J. Rigg, M.L.C., occupied the chair.

The chairman, in proposing the toast of “Visiting Competitors,” spoke of the new Police Offences Act, which had passed its second reading in the Upper House that day, and in a few Mays would, probably, find its way on to the statute-book. He thought that tho now regulations would work for the betterment of the sport. When the original .Act was introduced, in 1904, ho was strongly opposed to it, on tho ground that it would place the administration of the sport in tho hands of irresponsible persons, and also shut out professional boxing. Ho was convinced that if they wanted to bring amateur boxing to tho front, it would bo necessary to import the very best professional talent. Since tho 1904 Act hud been introduced, he had seen the error of his ways, and he was convinced that under tho management of tho Wellington Boxing Association and other associations, the sport would make great headway. He felt sure that tho power proposed to be vested in tho Government and in the New' Zealand Boxing Council by the new Act would bo well handled, and-that the powers conferred would not bo abused. He spoke highly of the display of boxing given by tho contestants, and the admirable spirit in which the tournament had been carried out. (Applause.) The toast w r as enthusiastically honoured.

Captain Hornieman (manager of the New South Wales team), in responding, expressed his high appreciation of tin splendid treatment he and his men had received since sotting foot in New' Zealand. He had no apology to offer for the performance of his men at the meeting; they had done lull justice to their State. Tho speaker paid a high compliment to the management of the Wellington Association in conducting tho meeting, and to tho behaviour of the Wellington public, and said that although he was a believer in scientific boxing, it was imperative that spirit and vim should be inserted into tho contests, in order to irake them . attractive to patrons of the noble art. (Hear, hear.) There was just th© possibility that one might err in making tho sport too ladylike. He. advocated the use of six-ounce gloves, instead of eight-ounce, as conducive to fostering more attractive work in the ring. With regard to the legislation in regard to boxing in New Zealand, there was no doubt that they were carrying it out on right lines. He nad come to tho conclusion tiiat New Zealand was a progressive country, and led .in a great many things, as it dm in respect to tho control of boxing. He aoped his own State would follow suit in the near future. He and his men would carry back pleasant reminiscences of choir stay; and, if it should be his good fortune to be in charge of another team that would visit Now Zealand, he promised to bring over the very best talent on tho other side. (Applause.) Duxing an interval the prize® and trophies were distributed to the following: Bantam weight, Lusher (New South Wales) and J. Barker (Canterbury) runner-up; feather weigTTt, W. Elliott (Timaru) and A. Tresiz© (Ashburton) runner-up; hgiit-weiguc, A. Alayze (Christchurch) and D. W oil© (New South Wales) runner-up; welter-weight, A!. L. Nash (Christchurch) and J. Lane (New South Wales) runner-up; middle-weight, A. J, JSoanlan (.Queensland) and L. Fletcher (Wellington) runner-up; heavyweight, C. Hiii (Now South u ales) and J.. Lloyd (Christchurch) runneUup. At the conclusion of the presentation of prizes, the chairman announced that th© W ©lilngton Boxing Association was so pleased with the display mad© bj Fitzjohns (New . South Wales) that , the members were making him a presentation out of their own pockets. > Th© toast of the “New Zealand Boxing ..Council” w;as proposed by Captain Hornieman, who eulogised the work don© by that body and its affiliated branches.Evidently it was in th© right hands, arm , the .sport in New Zealand was on a very fine footing. The toast was duly honoured. Dr H. J. McLean, vice-president of tb Wellington Boxing Association, replied. Tie expressed regret at the absence of his namesake. Dr Napier-McLean, who could much more capably have responded to tho toast and replied to, the strictures passed in regard to one or two of his decisions. In regard to disqualifif tion; he considered that if men were selected to represent their State, they should be well up in ail the points of the game. (Applause). i Other toasts honoured were “the Losers,” proposed by Mr B. A. Young (manager of the Queensland team), and responded to bv Mr J. Lane (New South Wales), and “the Wellington Boxing Association,” given, by Captain Honneman, and replied to by Messrs W. Cofley and Platts. In the course of his rer.iy Mr Coffey mentioned that invitations had been sent by his association to Godfrey and i Tommy Hanly, New South Wales. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs Goff Warren, M. i Warren, Soanlan, Lang, and J. F. Carr.