A SUDDEN DEPARTURE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21975, 9 June 1933, Page 10

A SUDDEN DEPARTURE

- —« 3» ■ ." . WRESTLERS LEAVE FOR AUSTRALIA SURPRISE m OFFICIAL CIRCLES. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 8. Surprise was created in Wellington wrestling circles to-day when it became known that two recent American importations, Dr Len Hall and “ Big Bill ” Beth, had left by the Wanganella. Their departure was unexpected by the New Zealand Wrestling Union and the local association, the officials of which state that the reasons given for the action are not well founded. Hall and Beth made something of a secret of their plans, but before the Wanganella sailed they told friends that they decided at 11 o’clock to leave New Zealand, Both stated that they were dissatisfied with the result of their negotiations with the union regarding future engagements. Hall is said to have expressed disappointment at not being matched with George Walker at an early date. Both he and Beth undertook to return if, on arrival, they would each be matched against Walker on a winner-take-all basis. “The position is that Hall and Beth have—shall we say?~bolted,” said Mr H. D. Bennett, president of the Wrestling Union and the Wellington Association, in a brief statement.. “Their action came as a surprise; in fact, I was the last to hear about it. They have given no reason for their departure. It is known, of course, that Beth was not doing well in New Zealand, and one can only surmise that he decided suddenly to try other fields.” Mr Bennett said the contract under which Hall and Beth were engaged did not bind them to the extent of preventing such a happening as had taken place. “It is not true that Hall had been denied a meeting with Walker,” Mr Bennett added. “ They would have been matched when the time was ripe.”