ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 852, 5 July 1906, Page 11

ATHLETICS.

There was a very good attendance at the club rooms of the Auckland Amateur Boxing Club last Friday evening, when several of the members indulged with the gloves, the best item being a four-round go between Rogers and Hunter, which was worth going a long way to see. Rogers proved the winner. Hunter started to make the pace at the lead off. Rogers was kept very busy in defending until Hunter got a very nasty right swing on Rogers’ point, which made him see stars, and there is no doubt if Hunter had followed this up the decision would have been reversed. However, Rogers recovered very quickly, and landed Hunter a very clean straight right on the jaw, and made him take the floor for safety, when time was called. The second, third and fourth rounds were very exciting, and the members were in a high pitch of enthusiasm as to who had won, when Referee Barney Donovan announced Rogers the victor, saying that is was one of the best and most evenly contested bouts he had refereed.

The secretary, Mr. E. Cross, showed me over the new room, and when improvements are completed it will be the best-fltted-up club room in New Zealand, there being dressing rooms, with 150 lockers attached for the use of members, shower baths, committee rooms, wrestling mats and every convenience. The committee are doing all in their power to encourage the members to further the noble art of self-defence and deserve to succeed.

A committee has been formed, with Mr. Ernest Cross (hon. secretary of the Auckland Boxing Club) as secretary, for the purpose of raising funds to give a helping hand to our old friend Billy Murphy, with whom times are not too good. Murphy is a tailor by trade, and the intention is to start him in business as a repairer, cleaner and presser, etc. Murphy has won hundreds of friends, not only through his skill as a boxer —and he was one-time champion of the world —but also on account of his straightgoing character. He has always been willing to work, but the job has not offered, and now there is a chance of giving him a lift I am quite sure that there will be plenty of offers of help. Mr. Cross will take charge of any contributions which may be sent in for this very deserving object.