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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 118, 21 May 1932, Page 8

BACK TO WANGANUI

KING ELLIOT RETURNING NEW ZEALAND WRESTLER SUCCESS IN UNITED STATES An interesting budget of news from King Elliot, the ex-Wanganui wrestler now touring in the United States, has been received by a member of the “Chronicle” staff who has been asked to pass it on to Elliot’s many friends in Wanganui and district. One of the most interesting items is tho announcement by Elliot that he would bo leaving San Francisco on May 11 and expected to arrive at Wellington on May 30. Thus he may be expected back in New Zealand in a little over a week. Writing from Portland, Oregon, toward the end of February, Elliot ia timated his intention of returning to New Zealand early in .Tune, but later advices were to the effect that he would remain in U.S.A, this year. Apparently circumstances have arisen which made another change in his pro gramme necessary. Wanganui wrest ling and athletic enthusiasts will welcome the opportunity of renewing their acquaintance with this popular athlete.

On his journey to the States from Auckland, which port ho left in November of last year, Elliot enjoyed the company of “Scotty” McDougal and Kara Pasha and naturally the trio did a good deal of training together on shipboard. This tended to relieve the monotony of tho voyage, while an occasional dip in the swimming pool on tho ship was a welcome retreat from tho heat of the tropical sun. “Wo had on board with us a prospector who had been down to .Aus tralia and New Zealand for a trip,’' stated Elliot. “Ho was a real charac ter. He had made a lot of money up in the Yukon and looked after it. A great fellow, though perhaps what some might call a real unpolished nugget. no one would take much notice of him but. Scotty, tho Turk and me. We made rather a fuss of tho old chop and he had lots of fun with us. He used to com 6 and wrestle with us. and although he -was in the vieinitv of 66 vbars of age he was as tough as wireWhen we reached Victoria. British Columbia, tho old prospector w.as bemoaning the fact that tho journovwas drawing to n close and wished that it would last, anothe* six months. Ho has a home up in, tho woods on Vancouver Island nnd gave mo a pressing invitation to stay with him and chase bears. That I would have liked, but several matches had boon made for ir.p and wc had to part.

Met Duke Kahanamoku ”1 must mention the fact that we spent a day at the world-famous “Waikiki Beach,” continues the Wanganui boy. “We enjoyed shooting tho waves in an outrigger canoe with Duke Kahanamoku, the great Hawaiian swim mor. who visited Wanganui ten or twelve years ago. and had happy reoo! lections of his visit to our city. He is a fine follow and always pleased to do anything he can for us fellows to make our stay at Honolulu a momoT able one. I had intended staving then) a month but changed mv mind ” Elliot had several matches in Canada and hold his own with first-class heavyweights who included Dr. Aarpolis. Thon ho had many bouts up and down the Pacific Coast travelling bv road, rail or air as tho occasion demanded. Knocked Himself “Cold.” Writing from Vancouver on April 8, on Dis way back to Seattle, U.S.A., Elliot stated that he had been defeated the previous night, having struck his head on the outside of the ring ana knocked himself “cold” as he expressed it. Ho was to wrestle the following night in Seattle and the fallowing week at Portland, Oregon. “I am getting plenty of matches,” stated Elliot. “Last week I had four and this week there are three. Apparently my stylo of mat work appeals to tho wrestling fans here. I am wrestling heavyweight and have to meet allcomers, some of them being 201bs. heavier than I am. 1 tip the scales at 2041 b., so I am only 81b. short of 15st. That’s a good dca. more than my wrestling weight in New Zealand. Tom Alley is wrestling on the Pacific Coast with great success. He and I train together a good deal.” After stating that he would have liked to stay to meet the New Zealand Olympic team during their visit to Bos Aflgeles, Elliot refers to the ill-fated Phar Lap excursion and concludes with the information that he would bo on the way back to New Zealand before the middle of May.