NORTHERN BOXING CARNIVAL

Observer, Volume XXIX, Issue 43, 10 July 1909, Page 10

NORTHERN BOXING CARNIVAL

The fact that all out-door games had to be postponed last Saturday on account of the bad weather, gave the attendance at Opera House on Saturday afternoon a bis; fillip. The cheaper portions of the house were well filled, and the takines amounted to a little short of £100. There were several defects in the management of the carnival which the Executive should avoid in the future. In the first place, some of the spectators were charged hiaher prices than those advertised. Naturally, strong objection was raised by those who were overcharged. Anyhow, the surplus from overcharging has been devoted to charity. Again, the majority of the audience were under the impression that the championships would be earned to a finish on Saturday, instead of holding over the finals till next Saturday. The Association were probably aware that another day would be needed to finish the carnival, and therefore they should have advertised the fact. The public have supported the Association for the last couple of seasons very solidly, and they are entitled to every consideration . Outside these faults, the management of the afternoon ' 6 sport was in capable hands. The secretary, Mr Trudgeon, had a busy time, but with the help of a live executive committee, the bouts were got off well up to time. The contests themselves were generally of an exciting nature, and it was remarkable to note the number of "knock-outs" that occurred. Four competitors were counted out in this manner, whilst two others gave up the contest when things looked bad for them. Perhaps the principal interest was centred in the meeting between O'Meara and Taylor, for the final of the 8.7 Novice Tournament. Taylor opened out first, but half-way through the first round O'Meara sent in a nasty right, and Taylor went down for Bsec. Towards the conclusion of the round, Taylor went dJown again, and though Mr Brown the referee, was about to give O'Meara the verdict, the gong saved Taylor. After this,_ Taylor made a plucky effort, but it was of no avail, as O'Meara was always on top. In the third round, O'Mea.ra sent in another solid right, and this time Taylor was counted out. O'Meara is a much-improved boy, and will take a lot of beating in the Bantam-weight championship. Little and Dawson met in the first round of the Bantam championship. The bout went the full three rounds, and the verdict was in favour of Little. It was a rattling good go, Dawson boxing with game- ' ness. > O'Halloran and Rosb put up a L bristling go for the Lightweights. . If anything, Ross had the best of it all through ,and showed more con- . dition than O'Halloran. Ross gain- ) ed the verdict. 5 Hesse and Oraig also made things i willing in the second round of the i Lightweights. It barely went three * minutes, as Craig got a nasty one on Hesse's chin, and lie went right out.

The first heat of the Middleweighte also saw another knock-out, Manly, the heavier man of the two, sending Mahoney out in the first round. The second bout, between Hill and Pooley, promised well, but Hill tired badly in the second round, and his seconds skied the towel. Trezise, the ex-champion of New Zealand, had an easy thing on against Matthews in the Featherweights, the latter throwing up the sponge in the second round. McNeil and Watson also met in this class, the former having all the best of it. The referee stopped the contest, giving McNeil the verdict. Pearce and McLiver were the only Heavyweights to meet. The first round was somewhat quiet, but matters warmed up in the second. Halfway through the round Pearce got in his right, and McLiver was counted out. Mr Tom Brown made a capable referee, but on several occasions he ivas apt to get a little bit over-ex-cited. Th tournament will conclude on Saturday afternoon next at the Opera House, when all the finals will be got off. The following are the competitors left in : — Bantamweights : Little, O'Meara, and O'Brien. Feather-weights (final) : Trezise v. McNeil. Lightweights (final) : Ross v. Craig. Middleweigjhits : Manley, Millen, and Pooley. Heavy- weights (final) : Gunner Moore v. Pearce.