BOXING FANS IN OTAKI

Chronicle (Levin), 16 April 1946, Page 2

BOXING FANS IN OTAKI

ENTERTAINED BY NATIVES Members of the Hutt Valley Boxing Association visited Otaki, on Sunday and were royally entertained by Mr. "Bunny" Carkeek, and other Natives, chief among tne number being some who. possess rare talent. Mr. Carkeek cordially welcomed the visitors and assured them that had , he. had longer notice o'f their int'entibn of visiting Otaki, he would have arranged a much larger array of singers aricT musicians. However,

stated Mr. Carkeek, all were very pleased to have- the- visitors present, and he hoped that their shprt stay1 in Otaki would be enjoyable, •and t that -they, would carry ,away happy recollections of their- visit. After an entertainment of> a bright nature -the party was escorted over Raukawa, when the carvings,-.. etc., were fully expla'inedJ A visit was made to the Rangiatea, where Mr. Carkeek enlightened them on the building, a'nd the'object of the cliurch. All. were greatly impressed, Mr.' Trower, in reply to the welcome, stated that thay had'en-joyed their all too short stay, but it was hoped that on some future occasion they would again have the opportunity of taking advantage of tne Natives' hospitality. Among the visitors were the two well-known boxers, -Messrs. Vic. Patrick and Vic. Caltaux, Mrs. Patrick, Mr. Ern McQuillan, Patrick's manager, Mr. Len. Stewart, the well known boxing referee, Mr. Trower, president of the Hutt Valley Boxing Association, Mi\ Craig (treasurer) , Mr. Coker (secretary) and others, numbering ■ in all about forty persons. The visitors received a fitting farewell, the Maori farewell song being rendered, followed by a wardance. •