TOM HEENEY AT WELLINGTON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3846, 18 September 1928, Page 2

TOM HEENEY AT WELLINGTON.

ACCORDED A HEARTY WELCOME. Wellington, Yesterday. A stirring welcome home was accorded Tom ffeency, the New Zealand contender for the world’s heavy-weight boxing title, by a crowded audience at the Town Hall to-night, where the amateur contests were being held. On entering the hall with Mrs. Heeney, the New Zealand champion was cheered to the echo, and “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” was sung in a manner that showed the crowd meant it. High tributes to the fame Heeney had brought upon New Zealand by the splendid light he had put up for the world’s highest boxing honours were paid by the president of the Wellington Boxing Association (Hon. T. M. Wilford), the Prime Minister (Right Hon. J. G. Coates), Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Opposition), the Mayor (Mr. Troup), and Sir Joseph Ward (Leader of the United Political Party). In responding, Tom Heeney said that he wished to remove a misapprehension that existed as to Americans not being good sportsmen. “When I fought Tunney,” he said, “90 per cent, of the Americans were with me.” Mr. and Mrs. Heeney were subsequently entertained at a social gathering in the Town Hall by the Wellington Boxing Association, at which speeches were repeated and the famous boxer was acclaimed by the large number of guests present.