BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1921, Page 3

BOXING.

TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Taranaki Boxing Association was teld in the Soldiers’ Club, New Plymouth, last night, when Mr. E. Whittle (chainman of the committee) presided over an attendance of about 40 members. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The report on tte first year’s operations of the association stated: — The association was formed on March 12, 1920, and the first tournament was held on May 26, 1920. This association is indebted to the Hawera Sports and Pastimes Club for the loan of their ring appointments for the opening tournament. Four tournaments were held during the year, five professional bouts being staged, which were productive of some clever and exciting contests. The amateur events were also well contested, and some good boxing was witnessed.

Thanks are due to the amateurs who took part in tte tournaments, especially Messrs. L. McAsey and James Bros., who came to our aid at the last tournament; also to Dra. E. A. Walker and R. C. Brewster for their kind, and efficient services during the year. The association also place on record their thanks to the following gentlemen for donations of medals:—Colonel C. H. Weston (president), E. Whittle (chairman) also for donating a ring mat, E. Jackson, P. J. Flanagan, W. G. Emeny, McLeod and Slade, G. H. Saunders, W. Graham, A, E. Horne, Newton King, W. C. Weston, Jas. Jordan, F. Faber, E. D. Hasnmond, and J. Bennett.

As there are now several boxing schools In the district, we look forward to seeing bigger competition amongst the amateurs during the coming season. We regret to record the death of one of our vice.-presidents, Mr. James Clarke (Mayor of New Plymouth), who was a victim of the aeroplane disaster. For the purpose of simplifying the control of the sport, the New Zealand Boxing Council has divided the Dominion into territorial districts, and Taranaki has been made a centre, with headquarters at New Plymouth. It is pleasing to record that the funds of the association are in a sound position, as dis- : closed by the balance-sheet, and this is all the more gratifying since no credit balance was available to be drawn upon at the beginning of the year.

With the keen interest that has been aroused in this manly sport, it is anticipated that the association will shortly be In a position to further the interests of boxing in New Plymouth, and thereby help In the development of our young manhood, to the benefit ; of the community and the country at large. ' Thanks are due to the Press for the publicity they have always given to boxing. Members are notified that their subscriptions for the ensuing year are now due, and they are asked to renew, and so help the association in fostering the manly sport in our district.

The balance-sheet showed that the total receipts had been £BlB 8s 3d (members’ subs. £9l 7s, proceeds of tourneys £727 Is 3d), whilst the expenses had amounted to £693 9s. There was a balance on fixed deposit of £lOO, and the cash, in bank, etc., was £25. Assets totalled £lB6 7s, and liabilities amounted to £5O 19s 6d, there being a credit balance of £135 7s 4d.

In moving tte adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said that the association could congratulate itself on having come through its initial year with such a satisfactory balance. This was due largely to the fact that they had four professionals locally who were willing to come into the ring and assist the association. Another factor was that the association had moved cautiously, and had not given big money to bring outside professionals, but had encouraged local competitors. Every tournament had shown a profit save the one in which out-* side professionals had competed, and which unfortunately had to be postponed. It was the intention of the committee to try and establish a gymnasium in the town, and £lOO had been practically ear-marked for that purpose. A gymnasium, and, if possible, a public one, was a necessity. During the year there Fad been 46 meetings, and some members had attended as many as 36. This involved a big call on time, which business men could ill afford. The association could only hold four' professional tourneys in a year, and he considered the itinerary should be arranged so as to obviate so many meetings. He pointed out that during the coming j'ear the committee would arrange outside ’ contests. Mr. E. Jackson, in seconding, touched on the association’s indebtedness to the amateurs of the district, who had given valuable services. The committee had endeavored to run the sport and rdn it clean. It was hoped to put on contests next year and bring new talent before the public. He also referred to the great interest taken in the affairs of the association by the chairman, and also by the secretary. The report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers were elected as follows:—President, Mr. C. H. Weston (re-elected) ; vice-presi-dents, Messrs. E. R. Gilmour, F. Faber, P. E. Stainton, A. Horne, W. Graham, R. Barlow, S. G. Smith, M.P., P. J. Flanagan, E. Jackson, E. Whittle, M. D. Stagpoole, and A. W. Webster, with three to be nominated by the Stratford, Eltham and Hawera Associations; hon. surgeons, Drs. Walker, Fookes and Brew-

ster; secretary, Mr. E. Clarke; committee, Messrs. J. Garcia, W. Whitaker, N. Howell, W. Richards, F. Farrell, T. P. Smith, A. Baker, E. Reid, J. W. Kurta, H. Murdoch, and R. Paul; auditor, Mr. J. S. S. Medley (re-elected). GENERAL. On the motion of Mr. T. W. Rolston, the Incoming committee was recommended to proceed with the programme at the forthcoming tournament as arranged by the out-going committee. Mr. E. Whittle considered that there should be little difficulty in raising £lOOO for the establishment of a gymnasium that would be available for all sports. Mr. N. Howell pointed out that so far nothing had been done in New Plymouth in connection with the erection of a soldiers’ memorial, and he considered that an appeal should be made to the public for funds to erect a suitable hall, to be available for athletes who

had taken a great part in the war, and there could be no finer memorial to the men who had fallen on active service. Mr. P. E. Stainton pointed out that the scheme of improvements to the Recreation Ground proposed by the sports committee included a gymnasium, available for all sports, and he urged tie association to give this assistance. Mr. Howell was appointed the association’s representative on the Sports Ground Committee. Votes of thanks were accorded Mr. J. Bennett as time-keeper, the president, and the out-going members of the committee, and the chairman. A COMMITTEE .MEETING. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. E. Whittle was elected chairman. It was decided to hold the tournament on May 13, when the principal attraction will bp a contest between T. Thompson and G. Richardson for a purse of 100 sovs., the winner taking tie lot.