Second Edition. Burlesque Boxing.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 11 July 1911, Page 3

Second Edition. Burlesque Boxing.

PUGILISTS PROSECUTED AT PALMERSTON. SCIENTIFIC OR OTHERWISE? (Manawatu Times). As a sequel to the recent performance of Jock Willis' Caledonian C.inipnny at Paliiierston and the luxing display connected therewith, I). Smith and A. Kelly appeared at t! 0 Magistrate's Court on Monday to answer two charges of having at Palnierst-on engaged in boxing contests 011 the 20th and 27th June without, complying with tho provisions of tho Police Offences Act, 1908. Sub-Inspector Norwood stated that on the 22nd .June an application was received from the Secretary of the Manawatu Boxing Association to allow a boxing exhibition to take place on the 26th and 27tli, wliiHi was refused owing to seven days' 11-r tico not being given. It was advertised that on the 27th June Dave Smith would box with \Yatc::/i !i. but Watchorn was warned a.rd withdrew. The exhibition of b'>xi::g, 'however, took place. S Willis gave evidence that he attended the Opera House and satv t!:e exhibit-ion of ball punching by the two defendants. After the ball punching Willis, the proprietor of (lie company, gave out that Dave Smith and Arthur Kelly would give an exhibition boxing spar of three ro inls. They were dressed in boxing c( st-unie, had boxing gloves, and they boxed three rounds. It was sc : :>ntitic boxing. After the entertainment on the first- night. Mr Willis gave out that a boxing spar w uld take place between Watchorn a 1 1 Dave Smith on the following ni iht. On the 27th a letter was rc id out from the Secretary Manawatu Roxing Association saying that V, itchorn was liable if he boxed, a: 1 that he would withdraw. Smith ai d Kelly, however, gave a similar e> liibition to that of the previous : ight. Willis was also on the -tage acting the part of a clown.

To Mr Kitzherbert: There was a blow struck with the closed gloves. The exhibition was not with open hands all the time. One of the boxers was given out as the champion of a heal " pub."

To Mr Cooper: It was a. boxing exhibition. .Jock Willis only got between the two boxers once.

Acting-Detective Sweeney corroborated Sergt. Willis.

To Mr Eitzherbert: Knew a lot about boxing and would call the exhibition scientific -boxing. There was a good deal of laughter. Willis 'had a bladder.

To Mr Cooper: It was not a burlesque. The boxers did not take much notice of Willis. There was no ring, no seconds, and no judge. Insj:!'.-tor Wilson, of Wanganui, gave evidece as to having refused the Manawatu Boxing Association's application for license I'or boxing exhibition o:i account of not receiving seven days' notice. Mr Cooper stated the application was made without his client's authority.

Mr ER>:lierb >rt> claimed that it was.purely a vaudeville turn. Dave Smith, in evidence, said ho hul been in the same kind of performance for years past in Australia and New Zea'and. It was simply a.u athletic display and exhibition of training. Tl; y use.! cuht ounce gloves and t! r opc."« h:r:;i •. Willis was acting t". ? c'own and he was there to make the people laugh. When going to deli a severe punch he always uavc wr.riling, otherwise lie might hurt his opponent as he was much stronger. Ke would not say it was not an exhibition of boxing. Had given between 40 and 50 sparring exhibitions and this was the fiist time lie had been prosecuted. To Mr Cooper: Kelly had been his sparring mate for nine months. They practised together and knew each other's movements.

To the Sab-Inspector: The audience did not hear the warning they gave each other. It would not do. They did not want the permit, it being a vaudeville turn. Did not know whether his agents wrote to the Manawatu Association asking for a permit here. He instructed his agent to send a circular to each of tho Associations stating lie was touring the Dominion and that lie would give an exhibition in cacli centre, and askimg them t;> advertise tho matter. He presented each Association with a medial for competition. He was tou.rinig witih th-> Willis Combination to make money. Being a Now Zeala.nder he thought lie would' be able to make money without fighting for it.

W. H. Hankins said he 'had been secretary of t'he Manawatu Boxing Association, for years. At the Smith v. Kelly exhibition he did not see any decent sparring. It was a lot of "tommy rot." 'He did not see a. blow given with the closed fist.

To Mr Cooper: Was disappointed ait first but tlhought it would 'bo just as well to laugh. It was not a good exhibition of boxing. Jock Will is gave evidence an to the cngagoment ; of Smith and Kelly. He was offered a oernvit in Greymouth, but refused it a.s it would ihavo entailed abiding by certain rules and supplying a 24ft riinc and a doctor. It was only a vaudeville act and a burlesque. Ho-had 'been similarly prosecuted at Grevunoutb, but tflie caso was dismissed as trivial.

Harry Muller, < manager of the Opera House, $aid that the boxing

was a bnrlesquo right through. Mr Cooper asked that tho information be dismissed on tlvo ground that there was no proof of a. boxing exhibition having been held. Arthur Kelly, pugilist, said .part of his work was a throe round spar with Smith. it was not boxing.

To Sub-Inspector: Both ho and Smith knew each other's signs, and Willis was always coming in between.

The Magistrate, in summing up, said that the boxing exhibition was not a serious matter, and there was no danger of either getting hurl". On one charge Ivo eonvb-ted and fined each defendant 10s with costs 7s. and on the oilier charge defendants were convicted and discharged.