"SPREADER" AT SYDNEY STADIUM.

NZ Truth, Issue 473, 11 July 1914, Page 10

"SPREADER" AT SYDNEY STADIUM.

The seating capacity of the Rushcutter Bay fight palace, added to the standing room space, gives the best part of 15,000 people a fair look on at a scrap. Thursday afternoons, a few spars and a ten round fight are billed. As a rule the two "guns" booked to measure strides on the 'following Saturday, spar with local celebrities. A feature at these entertainments is the presence of the fairer sex. The management generally is of such excellent style that little excuse could be found by the most exacting of men for not allowing their women folk the privilege of witnessing these highly scientific bouts. With the well-known New Zealand sport, Ned Conrick, as guide, philosopher, and friend, we went last week to see Welling, the Yank, and Sapper O'Neill do a bit o£ sparring (eventually, Welling got the decision when they fought, one of the most unpopular decisions of late years, but the press took up the cudgels on behalf of Referee Harold Baker). All the notabilities of the fighting world are to be seen at these "afternoons." In turn, our guide, ' now proprietor of the Temple Bar, Georgestreet, pointed out Tommy Burns, McGoorty, "Boxer- Major," W. F. Corbett and a host of other prominent limelights at the ring side. A splendid string band discourses music between spars, and the ladies are provided with afternoon tea and a free pass thrown m if accompanied by a male escort. A large automatic clock* registers the rounds m detail, leaving little chance of a fake on the count out. The Yankee invasion is still at its top m Sydney, but it must be said that m return for the dollars they amass, they throw a deal of dignity and integrity into the game that has done a lot towards staying the mad-headed wowser .crowd, who are still bottom dogs In this country, thank goodness. The way the Stadium is at present run is a credit to Sydney and is doing its share to keep the game clean and healthy.