“SPORTSMANLIKE SHOW.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 492, 29 June 1932, Page 12

“SPORTSMANLIKE SHOW.”

Wrestling Enjoyed by Clergymen. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, June 28. At the invitation of the Auckland Wrestling Association, the Rev Lawson Marsh, president of the Council of Christian Congregations, and the Rev G. Budd, Moderator of the Auckland Presbytery, attended the professional match between Tommy Thompson and George Wilson in the Town Hall last evening. A feAv months ago Mr Marsh protested against what he termed “the increased disorderly conduct and unsportsmanlike behaviour” displayed at professional matches in various parts of New Zealand; and Messrs Marsh and Budd were deputed to Avait on the City Council to protest against the letting of the Town Hall for carnivals that were not under strict control. Commenting on the professional match, Mr Marsh said the men apparently did not rise to the expectations of a portion of the croAyd. “There appeared to be to me a desire on the part of the wrestlers to give a thoroughly sportsmanlike show,” he said. “Certainly no exception could be taken to anything we saw. The association is to be congratulated on the standard of sportsmanship displayed. “I don’t make a hobby of this sort of thing, but I. thoroughly enjoyed the amateurs,” said Mr Marsh, with a smile when asked if he Avould care to see other matches. Mr Budd said that he, too, had been well entertained by the amateurs. “The crowd,” he said, “ was much more orderly than I had expected. There were no women’s screams as were heard over the radio last season.” An official of the association informed the Church representatives that they would be welcome to attend coming matches.