WRESTLING.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18405, 12 August 1931, Page 9

WRESTLING.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—l have read with Interest the letters by your readers regarding the latest—shall I say entertainment—wrestling. One point that struck me was that at the commencement of the outburst your correspondents decried the brutality of the sport but after “ ExWrestler " pointed out that the contestants were not brutal but showmen, your writers changed their tunes but still continued to write a lot of nonsense. The majority of your correspondents, as they admit themselves, have never seen an exhibition of the sport so why they should bother to write of something they know nothing of, beats me. 1 ask them to attend a match before they endeavour to point out the faults of the sport next time. Personally I was against wrestling when I first heard It described, but I never wrote to the paper about it as I knew I did not have sufficient knowledge to write. I have attended the three matches In Hamilton and each time was thoroughly entertained. 1 am a lover of boxing and all good clean sport, but nothing can be compared with wrestling from 'n entertaining point of view and I am keenly looking forward to the next bout. 1 would like " Anti-Matman " and you? other correspondents, sir, to see it and then they can express their views if they like—when they know a little of what they are writing about.—l am. etc..

PATRON. Hamilton, August 10, 1931. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Since the meeting of Pinto and Burmlster In the Theatre Royal on July 30, a conglomeration of peurlls wishy-washy stuff and nonsense has been levelled at the performances of overseas wrestlers In Hamilton and the occasions on which these wrestlers have appeared have been innocently characterised by several self-complac-ent correspondents as “carefully rehearsed burlesques.” They are at a loss to account for the patronage afforded wrestlers In this Dominion. That the majority of wrestling matches staged in New Zealand this season should be but a fraction of what Is attributed to them Is surely a strange commentary on the Intelligence ot a wide section ot sporting enthusiasts At the two recent " burlesques ” at Auckland several thousand people were refused admittance and It also must be remembered that the packed houses on those occasions would be supplemented by thousands throughout New Zealand per medium of the radio. It has generally been found that sporting audiences will not stand for anything In the nature ot " put up " shows ami to say that these overseas exponents have been on a holiday Jaunt of deception. Is mere eyewash that cannot stand the light of reason with those of average Intelligence. It is significant that the major-

Ity of correspondents responsible for the irresponsible tirade against these exhibitions, have on their own admission. never seen a wrestling match. I am sure that the local wrestling Association would welcome their appearance. at its next bout to enable them to judge for themselves the genuineness or otherwise of these " carefully rehearsed burlesques.”—l am. etc..

COMMON SENSE lamilton. August 11.