BOXING

Otago Witness, Issue 3886, 4 September 1928, Page 60

BOXING

BOXERS ENTERTAINED. ASSOCIATION’S SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. An enjoyable social function was tendered by the Otago Boxing Association to the visiting boxers—Messrs T. Barber and N. Radford and their manager, Mr I’ O’Connor —on Wednesday evening, there being an • atttendance of about 70. The president of the association (Mr J. Campbell) occupied the chair, and in his opening remarks said that those who had had the pleasure of meeting their guests were loud jn their praises of their conduct, both in and out of the ring. Mr Campbell also congratulated the members of the Otago team on their recent successes in Auckland. It was pleasing to see among those present so many of Dunedin’s trainers, than whom, it was generally admitted, there were none better in the Dominion. Jn conclusion, Mr Campbell paid a tribute to his executive for its loyal support during the past season, and tendered the thanks of the association to the voluntary workers who had assisted so willingly at the various tournaments. Following the honourings of the loya.toast, the toast of the Otago Boxing Association w’as proposed by Mr T. Gillies, who congratulated the association on having passed through a particularly busy year with such success. He stated that it was a matter for pride, too, that the association had taken it on itself to bring a good deal of outside talent to the Dominion, and for this it was entitled to the thanks of the whole sporting fraternity. To the present executive great credit was due for its consistent efforts to encourage boxing throughout New Zealand. Mr Campbell replied on behalf of the association, and emphasised the fact that it had always laid itself out to encourage amateur boxing. It had run several ama tear tournaments during the past year, tc defray the cost of which it was necessary to put on professional fights. The association realised that it was only fair to the public that boxers in the first flight should be matched, and it was with this in view that boxers had been brought over from Australia. Mr F. Foster proposed the toast of the visiting bqxers, and said it had been a pleasure to have them in Dunedin. Everyone with whom they had come in contact had been impressed with them, and it was to be hoped that when they left Dunedin they would say only au revoir. Mr O’Connor, responded, and after thanking Mr Foster for his remarks ex pressed his appreciation of the treatment he and his proteges had received from the Boxing Association as well as from the Dunedin public. He personally had been treated with the greatest courtesy, and although they had met Johnny Leckie (whom he looked on as a little gentleman) unsuccessfully, they might have better luck at their next meeting. He trusted that the association would go on as it had begun in the encouragement of amateur boxing and would do its utmost to keep the sport on the level it now occupied. Messrs Radford and Barber also spoke briefly. . ■ ■ ■■ Other toasts-honoured were “The New Zealand. Boxing Council,” proposed by Mr J. Kilmartin and replied to by Mr H Divers; and “The Otago Boxing Association Team,” proposed by Mr W. Esquilant and-responded to by members of the team. During the evening an enjoyable programme of musical and elocutionary items was rendered, the .following contributing: Messrs W. Ruffle, S. Jeffs. 11. Drew. J. Leech (songs); Messrs Ansell and Holden

(duet), and Mr A. Gorrie (humoious recital). In addition, a jazz band rendered a number of selections. Mr A. M’Millan acted as accompanist.