SEASON NOT A SUCCESS

Southland Times, Issue 23780, 30 March 1939, Page 10

SEASON NOT A SUCCESS

BOXING TALENT IN SOUTHLAND ANNUAL MEETING OF ASSOCIATION “The season has not been one that could afford us u great deal of pleasure to look back on,” said the president (Mr A. H. Courtis), in moving the adontion of the annual report at the annual meeting of the Southland Boxing Association last night. “It was no fault of the association, but was due simply to the fact that the quality boxers were not there. If they were, we were unable to get hold of them. We have tried to put on good bouts to attract the public but unfortunately the cards were stacked against us. It looks as if we will have to get more heavyweights, which seem to appeal more to the supporters of boxing in Southland than the lighter weights do. In the last year we tried to dig up some successful amateur boxers, but were not very successful.” Mr Courtis added that the association unfortunately had had trouble with its importation from Australia, Bennell. If he had given the association what he should have it would have been in a better position today. This year the New Zealand championships would be held in Invercargill, and that should help the association a great deal out of its difficulties. Mr Courtis concluded by saying that Southland had sent some good amateurs to the championships last year, and it was unfortunate that they did not bring back one or two titles. Mr G. McChesney said there had been a tendency in the past to hold a double professional bill on the one night. It seemed now that the public were asking for one professional contest and more amateur fights. Country clients had told him that they got more amusement out of amateur bouts and there was also a chance of getting good boys. ■ The chairman said he understood that professionals were easier to get than amateurs Another member said he thought there were several boys in training. YOUTH OF TODAY CRITICIZED Mr R. Bagrie said that if the Southland Boxing Association wanted to put boxing on the map it would have to bring the amateurs back, and to do this the association should have a gymnasium in Invercargill. If a boxer did not have the gear to train with he did not get very far. If the association supported a room the boys would soon patronize the fights. “Half the professionals we have had are not decent amateurs,” he added. “I think the association is more or less to blame because of the lack of encouragement given to these boys.” “We have not got the same crowd as we had before,” said Mr Courtis. “Finance is our big trouble.” He added that they had tried to support rooms before but the plan had. not been Mr N. McGorlick criticized the spirit shown by many amateurs today who, he said, seamed to want everything done for them. Even after one fight some of them wanted to know what somebody was getting out of the association. The association had done a great deal in the waytof supporting schools and giving prizes, all without success. “The whole thing hinges on the youth of today,” he said. “They are not keen enough or not hard enougn, and you never know till you get them in the ring whether you are going to have them or not. They seem to forget that, they are there to box for the love of the sport.” It was reported that a fight had been arranged for April 24 between Norman Jenkin and Dick Baker, and it was also hoped to match Norman Fisher with another for the same night.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected for the year:—President, Mr A. H. Courtis; vice-presidents, Messrs N. W. McGorlick and W. Gellately; hon. treasurer, Mr J. M. Wilson; hon. auditor, Mr R. Taylor; management committee, Messrs J. Powley, R. Bagrie, G. Singleton, F. Johnson, G. McEwan, A. D. Burn, J. Payne, W. T. Hannon, C. Dixon, G. McChesney, A. Fyffe and G. Rogerson. MEN’S HOCKEY ANNUAL MEETING OF CENTRAL CLUB The Central Men’s Hockey Club looks forward with confidence to a successful season. This was stated at the annual meeting of the club, when the annual report and balance-sheet were considered and adopted. Opening day was fixed for Saturday, April 1. The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—Patron, Mr P. J. Brass; president, Mr F. Hinton; vicepresidents, Messrs H. P. Semmens, J. Parfitt, R. Kelman, G. Frederick, J. Chisnail, and J. Lythgoe; honorary auditor, Mr H. M. Kennedy; secretary and treasurer, Mr C. J. K. Lythgoe; club captain, Mr E. J. Mullen. A proposal that the senior teams should be amalgamated and that the Southland Men’s Hockey Association should pick equal teams from these players was strongly condemned by all those present. This proposal is to be considered by the association at its general meeting on Tuesday, April 4. It was decided that an intermediate team should be raised to senior status. The work of Mr R. M. McLean, who had been a vice-president for six years and auditor for five years, was praised, and a minute of appreciation was recorded. Mr McLean has been transferred to Wellington. Mr F. Hinton was also thanked for his work with the teams and for the club. About ■2O members of the club were present.

FINE MARKSMANSHIP BY SCHOOL CADETS SUCCESS IN AREA SHOOT At the area rifle meeting on Saturday, Corporal H. Rowley, of the Southland Boys’ High School Ci’dets, hit the bull with every shot he fired and won the aggregate of four matches with a possible of 175. In congratulating Corporal Rowley on his outstanding performance, the rector (Dr G. H. Uttley) referred to the other successes scored by boys of the school. In the aggregate Rowley was closely followed by Cadet S. Smart, second, with 172, and Cadet P. Ritchie, third, with 169. In Match 1, the school gained three out of five places, tying for first; in Match 11, of thirteen who tied for first, 10 came from the school, which also won the first three places in the rapid practice. In the teams match the Band team and No. 1 school team tied for first place, two school teams were next, and with one other five school teams tied for the next place. These excellent results were due to the keenness of the boys and the efficient coaching of the musketry officer, Lieutenant G. Geddes.