TRIBUTE TO A BOXER

Taranaki Daily News, 21 November 1930, Page 9

TRIBUTE TO A BOXER

I ■ PRESENTATION TO T. DONOVAN.' A very pleasant function took place at Mr, A. F. Aldie’s tea rooms last flight, when members of the executive of the Taranaki Boxing Association presented Tommy Donovan, the well-known Waitara boxer, with a framed illuminated enlargement of the first Donovan-Sarron fight and incidentally the first open air contest to be held in New Zealand- In the absence of the patron (Mr. C. H. Weston) and the president (Mr. W. N. Stephenson) Mr. J. Garcia, chairman of the committee, presided. In apologising for his absence Mr, Weston wrote: “I should like to have added my personal thanks to him for what he’has done for boxing generally and our association in particular during the last few 1 years, I am sure it is his own sporting personality that has giyen boxing such an impetus during that time and I wish W0 could stop the hands of time so that he could go on for ever.” Among those present wore the Hon. S, G, Smith, Minister of Labour, and on behalf of the association the chairman congratulated him on his accession ,to Cabinet rank. The chairman also re# ferred to the splendid career of their guest, who by his prowess in the ring and his mauly demeanour out of it had done so much for boxing in Taranaki. Ho pointed out that at the time that Tommy Donovan first appeared on the horizon boxing was at a very low ebb in Taranaki The only active association in the province was Taranaki, the others being dormant. The Taranaki association was in a bad way financially but such was the impetus that had been given the sport by their guest that not only had the Taranaki association been placed "well on its feet but there were now other flourishing associations in the province, The Sarron-Donovan contest at New Plymouth marked 'an historic epoch in the Waitara boxer’s career as it gave him/ the opportunity of showing his calibre against noted boxers from the other hemisphere and, moreover, marked the first occasion of a professional epenair daylight contest. Mr. Garcia also paid tribute to the fair manner and sporting spirit which their guest had always displayed in all his dealings with the association.

Mr, E. Jackson, chairman of the sports ground committee, added his tribute. He gave some interesting reminiscences of the early days of the association and added that as long as it could produce men. of the calibre of their guest, both in and out bf the ring, they could be assured of public support. On behalf of tho cyclists Mr. W. Roebuck added his tribute to the worth of Mr. Donovan. He also remarked that another New Plymouth lad, Dick Loveridge, had started the revival of boxing. Mr. P- E. Stainton remarked that the guest had lifted the sport of boxing to a very high plane by the force of hig character and personality. Not only had he earned the j respect of his opponents but also that of the public generally, even though they were not closely associated with the sport. Indeed, it was a high tribute to his personality that so many of the mothers and sisters were now interesting themselves in the manly sport of boxing. •' Mr. E. J. Carr, secretary to the association, also briefly spoke, • In making the presentation Mr. Smith said that it was pleasing to note bow there was an increasing atmosphere of friendliness throughout New Zealand towards their guest as the months went by. Members of the railway staff throughout the Dominion to a man were proud of Tommy Donovan, and he as a railway man was proud to join in congratulating him on his success. The Taranaki association was to be congratulated on having stuck together despite adversity, and it certainly deserved the support met with, In making the presentation Mr, Smith remarked that he associated himself with the eloquent tribute made by Mr. Weston.

In reply Mr. Donovan, who was accorded musical honours led by Mr. Stainton, remarked that speakers had stated that he had done a lot for the association, but the association had done a lot for him too. It had always treated him well and he had made firm friends, He expressed appreciation of the assistance rendered him, particularly mentioning Mr. A. R. Aldie and E. J. Carr. As regarded his own success he considered that the greatest credit was due to his trainer, A. McGregor. Mr. McGregor was also accorded musical honours, which he briefly acknowledged.