AUCKLAND BOXING CONTESTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19033, 1 December 1923, Page 7

AUCKLAND BOXING CONTESTS.

SCENES IN TOWN HALL. CITY COUNCIL TAKES? ACTION. {From Otih Own Cobihesj’onkent.) AUCKLAND, November 30. The conduct of the public attending boxing matches in the Town Hall on Wednesday evening and the consequent damage to city property were considered by the City Council last evening in committee, and as a result it was decided that in future the Town Hall should not be available to the Boxing Association or any kindred association. In explaining this action, the Mayor said it was his desire that an even balance should bo maintained, and that all sporting and other interests should have equal vise of the city’s facilities. Following on a previous complaint, the Northern Boxing Association had been warned that in the event of a repetition of the earlier disturbances the council would be compelled to review the position. On Wednesday evening he had been at a- meeting of the Drainage Board in the Town Hall Building, and the disturbance created by the hooligan clement at the rear of the hall had been suc!i that any further outbreaks of the kind could not be tolerated. On the following morning his attention had been called to the state of the hall, and ho fotmd that windows had been broken, while the condition of the hall was such that a staff of eight men was engaged all day putting the place in decent order. In addition to this, the walls and decorations had been defaced, and although the work of renovation and the decorations had just been completed, it would be necessary to call, the painters in again. As a further instance of the conduct of the gathering, the cleaners had collected 220 beer bottles loft by the boxing patrons. It. was a matter for regret, added Mr Gunson, that such a scene could take place in the city’s chief meeting place, which it was desired should create and maintain a sense of dignity. He moved that the resolution carried in committee be adopted, end this was carried unanimously. , ' The Herald says editorially: “The visibility in the hall is poor, and noise is inevitable, so that under this cover there may be happenings which are known only subsequently by their results. The council may make some allowance for this, but when it finds that substantial damage has to bo repaired it is bound to place first its responsibility for the public property under its guardianship. Therefore the. most ardent supporter of boxing will find it difficult to attack the decision not to- let the Town Hall for contests In future. The building is worthy of better treatment than it has received from the followers of* boxing, or a section of them. If they themselves will not, recognise this it remains only for the civic authorities to do as they have done, and to place the hall beyond the reach of further harm.