BOXING REVIEW

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 751, 26 August 1929, Page 13

BOXING REVIEW

SPORT IN DOMINION COUNCIL’S ANNUAL REPORT The year just ended has been one of the most successful in the history of boxing in New Zealand, states the annual report of the New Zealand Boxing Council for the period ending June 30, 1929, which will be presented at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Boxing Association, to be held at Greyrr.outh on Friday, August 30. The report states, inter alia: Most of the local associations have been active, and several applications have been made for recognition of new clubs in various districts. In respect to these clubs the council has continued its policy of encouraging new clubs to go through a probationary period under the direction of the nearest local association. It is gratifying to note that local associations are alive to their responsibilities, and that where new clubs have been formed practical encouragement has been given. The council desires to express its plea sure for the manner in which associations have continued to foster the amateur side of the sport. Reference to a special return which will be placed before delegates at the annual meeting will afford evidence of the marked increase during the past fifteen months of the promotion of amateur tournaments as compared with previous years. In this direction, however, the council is more concerned with what associations are doing in the way

of encouraging lads to take up boxing as an exercise, and it is indeed gratifying to place on record appreciation of the fact that associations have cooperated in carrying out the policy which the council has advocated since it assumed office four years ago. Under the supervision of our local associations the sport is encouraged, and is indeed flourishing in schools, colleges and among the territorials. The last New Zealand amateur championships were successfully carried out under the jurisdiction of the Northern Boxing Association. Amateurs assembled from all parts of the Dominion, and the standard of previous years was maintained. Delegates and competitors had an enjoyable sojourn in Auckland, thanks to the excellent arrangements made by the president, Mr. E. A. Craig, and the hon. secretary, Mr, J. H. Watts, and their executive. During the past season the standard of professional contests has been very satisfactory, and in this direction it must be noted that our New Zealand boys have compared more than favourably with boxers imported from overseas. The professional title-holders are: Flyweight, vacant; bantam, vacant; feather, J. Leckie (Otago); light, vacant; welter, A. Hay (Hastings); middle, vacant; light-heavy, E. Parker (Hastings); heavy, E. Parker (Hastings). Associations are already aware of the success attained by E. Morgan (Wellington), who, last year at Amsterdam, won the welter-weight championship, thus having the honour of being the first to bring a world’s amateur title to the Dominion. To commemorate this outstanding achieve- j ment the council has, in accordance j with til© direction given at the last annual meeting, procured a valuable cup which will be competed for at each i New Zealand championships in the j welter-weight class. Last year P. J. I Stone, of Wellington, won this divi- I sion. and his name is now inscribed an the cup. The council has decided to retain possession of the cup, and that the winner each year shall receive a suitable certificate which shall be evidence of his victory. It is befitting that your council should place on record its appreciation of the gratuitous services of Mr. C. Dickenson, of Wellington, who travelled at his own expense with the Olympic team, acting particularly as masseur to our representatives, Morgan and t Cleverley. The finances show that our active j control of sport still achieves pro- i gress. The figures presented require j a reminder that they are for 15 months, j and therefore show unusual increases : which apply to expenditure as well as j revenue. This will be reflected on next year’s ;

figures, however, and estimates should not b© based on this year’s returns. Stated briefly, the position is, that after contributing £493 to the Olympic Association and Overseas Fund liabilities, that fund stands with a credit of £360, and is growing at a rate which calls for consideration explained herein. The New Zealand section of the championship fund, the expenditure of which is now strictly confined to the authority under rule 23, and the necessity fot its further development is also brought under notice. The general fund is just equal to ■ meet present administrative expenditure. As our organisation develops, the i expenditure in this branch, especially in the direction of travelling expenses. ■ permitting the secretary to keep in touch with the local associations, does much toward our success. The fund has proved all that its founders anticipated and the trustees are placing a report before you. The fact that £214 has been subscribed in 10 months clearly indicates that in a few years local associations will reap a great benefit by free insurance for some time if not permanently, which is the goal of its promoters. The Appeal Committee, which is still located in Auckland, for the second year in succession, has not had occasion to meet.