WRESTLING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 108, 10 May 1933, Page 5

WRESTLING

WANGANUI ASSOCIATION PAST SEASON REVIEWED ANNUAL MEETING HELD. ELECTION OF NEW OFFICERS. The annual general meeting The Wanganui Wrestling Association was held last evening, Mr. T. Hurley presiding. There was a large attendance of members, Quarterman s rooms being packed to capacity. The president’s annual report was as follows: in presenting the annual report for 1932-33, 1 would firstly likn to thank the amateur wrestler* of Wanganui and districts for their help in providing the public with such a line physical entertainment as we witnessed in the Opera House during the season just ended. As you know, this association was formed to foster and encourage scientific wrestling among the amateurs in Wanganui, and I look forward to the day when some of our New Zealand amateur champions will be able to take their places against the best overseas wrestlers. Wanganui has been fortunate in seeing King Ellio in action, and judging by the physique of this young Wanganui boy, wrestling certainly demonstrates the value, bot , as a sport, and as a Beneficial and healthful pastime for any young New Zealander. During the past season my committee has endeavoured to encourage and stimulate wrestling among the amateurs, and with the help of overseas professional wrestlers, promoted four professional contests, which, judging by the attendance at the Opera House, met with the fullest- approval of the wrestling public. At each of these contests there has been four amateur bouts, and the form displayed by these amateurs surely speaks well for the coming season. As an incentive to the amateurs, the committee selected B. Bullock and Podjursky to represent Wanganui at the New Zealand amateur championships. whictl were held in Auckland. All expenses were met by the association, and tue experience gained by these young wrestlers has since been reflected in the different wrestling schools in Wanganui. I feel you will agree with me when I say that the professional wrestlers engaged last season nave certainly helped the sport in Wanganui, and great credit is due the match committee in selecting wrestlers of this type. Reducing Expenses In connection with the expenses, a very gratifying item is the cost of staging a contest. In our first content, Walker v. Detton, the expenses amounted to £59 Is sd, whereas wit' the Elliot-Karasick contest expenses were reduced to £44 ss, showing a decrease of over 20 per cent., viz., £l4 16s 53. This, I may state, was only made possible by having a most energetic executive. One point I would like to stress is the system adopted in reference to checking all ringside seats. The usual practice in the past was to utilise the stage door as entrance to the ringside. During the Walker-Detton contest we were greatly troubled with gate * * crashing. 1 ' W the result that a meeting was hold and it was decided that the stage door should be barred, and all ring-side patrons would be admitted through th main entrance, gaining admittance to the stage through the door at the left of the orchestra Wall. At this entrance a member of the committee checked all tickets with the result that there was no recurrence of the trouble experienced at the Walker-Detton bout. I am pleased to say that this idea was adopted by the Boxing Association during the Oxley-Simmons bout with gratifying results. In connection with the balancesheet. I would like to mention, the expense account, which shows that approximately £6OO was distributed by the association during last season, and over 50 per cent, of this was spent in Wanganui, which, clearly shows tin this association is a live body au«l contributes to the welfare of the city in general. During the season special donations were made to the different wrestling schools which unfortunately, througu the exigencies of the times, found themselves hard pressed for cash in which to carry on their respective schools. 1 will conclude my remarks with a special vote of thanks to the secretary and executive of this association for their help and co-operation during my term as president; also to the Press, medical profession, and ambu lance, to whom nothing was a trouble in fostering wrestling in Wanganui. To the public who patronised om different contests and ail those who helped the association during the last season, I extend my thanks and trust that wrestling will long live in Wanganui as a beneficial and healthful pastime for young and old. Mr. T. H. Rice congratulated Mr. Hurley on his annual report, which, he said, had set out the activities of the past season in an excellent manner. The association had had a very successful season, and, judging by the attendance at the meeting, everything augured well for the coming season. Wrestlers Arriving. A circular was received from the New Zealand Wrestling Association, stating that various wrestlers had arrived in New Zealand and that others were expected. Hall, Paterson, “Whiskers” Blake, and Beth had arrived, while Walker and Robin were to arrive on May 29 by the Alakura with seven or eight Americans, including Velcoff, Varja, Perry and Alamos. It was stated that remits had been sent out, including a recommendation with regard to the affiliation fee being increased to £3 3s. There was also one from Kaikohe, suggesting that as New Zealand talent was scarce and it was necessary to import wrestlers, that the amateur rules be amended to make them similar to professional rules, thereby making the amateur championships more attractive and ensuring larger houses. It was also stated that Blake was to meet Walker on May 15. The committee is to be. instructed to ask whether broadcast descriptions of wrestling matches in Wellington and other centres could he arrange I A vote of thanks was accorded Mi. T. Hurley for the use of a room for

committee meetings, and to the Press for publicity given during the year. Notification was given that wrestling schools would be run by C. Martin and I’. Jones in the Assembly Rooms, and also by the Y.AI.C.A. under the control of Air. J. Manley. 'rhe balance-sheet revealed a satisfactory state of affairs, a credit of £27 18s 4d being shown. Among tho items of income the largest was house 'takings, which amounted to £448 3s 2d. The sum paid to professionals totalled £152 Ils. The amount of £l9 12s 6d was spent on amateur bouts, while amusement tax totalled £49 Is Bd. Altogether the sum of £476 10s 2d was handled. Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted:— Patron, Air. R. G. Talhoyr; president, ATr. A. D. Smith; vice-presidents. Messrs. J. Goss, junr., F. Bristol, and T. Hurley; auditor, Mr. F. ilill; secretary, Air. A. 11. Hurley assistant secretary, Mr. (U Benson: treasurer. Mr. T. 11. Rice; lion, solicitors, Messrs. Biodie and Keesing; lion, masseur Air. F. Nolan; committee, Messrs. .1. ’Lire. . Mann. .1. Pawson, 11. (looper, ” S'uitb, I). Dune, A. E. Vodnnovieh, ' > Mien.