BOXING.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1922, Page 3

BOXING.

THE TARANAKI ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL The annual meeting of the Taranaki Boxing Association was held last night, when Mr. E. Whittle presided over an attendance of about thirty members. The second annual report congratulated members on having passed through another successful though somewhat eventful year. The report added : Four tournaments were held, and is is pleasing to report that, so far as the sport generally is concerned in this centre, it has been clean and healthy, and in no case has it been found necessary to seriously censure the conduct of any man, either amateur or profssional. This, we consider, augurs well for the future success of boxing in this centre. At each tournament good professional contests were staged, providing, in the majority of eases, keen and close contests: nor was the amateur side neglected. Indeed, it has been the aim of the association to foster amateur sport, and many of the bouts put on at the various tournaments showed that Taranaki possesses some very promising lads, who only need a little encouragement to take their place among the front ranks of New Zealand amateurs.” The committee was pleased to report that the patronage accorded the .sport by the public had continued to be very gratifying. In order to foster the sport in the surrounding districts the last tournament was held at Inglewood, the association being guaranteed against loss In that venture by a number of Inglewood enthusiasts. It was to be regretted, however, that the patronage of the public did not come up to expectations. The year’s working showed a small profit. The thanks of the committee were due to Mr. N. E. Howell for the trouble taken in ascertaining the association’s financial position. The report proceeded: “Regarding the future activities of the association, the committee would advocate that in order to stimulate boxing among the younger generation, local tournamnts be inaugurated at which local Senior Cadets and Territorials would compete. As it has been found that in providing the amount of seating, etc., necessary * at tournaments held in the Coronation Hall i a considerable amount of the profit is ex- ’ pended, the committee recommend that in I future, if at all possible, .two-night tourna- ! meats should be held. The thanks of the i association is due to all those who have in i any way contributed to the successful working of the association, either by donation, help ; during the tournaments, or by patronage, and > it is trusted that the work of the association ■ will merit a continuance of that confidence.” •

The balance-sheet showed that receipts had totalled £llll 5s 3d. The balance In hand was £35 5s 9d. Assets were £159 5s 9d, and liabilities £l5 2s 7d.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman said that under the circumstances the association must be considered very fortunate that its finances were in the satisfactory position that they were. Though £lOO had'to be taken from deposit to pay off liabilities, they had assets to counteract that. There were many associations that showed a loss. The association would have to consider the question of big purses. Though the public had given good support, the expenses paid to professionals prevented any profit being made; indeed, the aoiual loss on tournaments was £l6. The only tournaments that had shown a profit were the opening ones, in which local professionals had come to the association’s assistance for moderate purses, and he considered the association should in future match local professionals against outsiders. This would create interest.

Mr. E. Jackson, in seconding, said that the committee, in discussing future activities, had suggested holding future tournaments in the winter months, and holding them more frequently. In order to guard as much as possible against loss, it was suggested that the tournaments should be run for two nights. He also agreed that purses should be moderate, but favored outside professionals being engaged, as this created interest. He also stressed the necessity for encouraging amateur bouts.

The report and balance-sheet were then adopted.

Officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. C. H. Weston (re-elected) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. E. Whittle, E. Jackson, S. G. Smith, M.P., P. E. Stain ton, A. E. Horne, W. Graham, R. Barlow, M. Stagpoole, P. J. Flanagan, A. W. Webster, F. Faber, E. Gilmour (all reelected), G. H. Saunders, H. B. Gray, R. . McCrae, W. H. Moyes, Geo. Gray, E. C. Heel; trustees, Messrs. E. Whittle and E. Jackson (re-elected) ; hon. surgeons, Drs. E. A. Walker, E. F. Fookes, R. c. Brewster (re-elected) ; committee, Messrs. J. Garcia, C. Grainger, W. Richards, W. N. Stephenson, W. Yardley, W. Whitaker, R. Paul, W. Graham, A. Baker, F. J. Eggleton and G. E. Jago; auditor, Mr. J. S. S. Medley (re-elected) ; secretary (it was resolved that applications be called for the position of secretary at £52 per annum, the selection to be left to the committee) ; treasurer, Mr. N. B. Howell; representative on I Sports Ground Committee, Mr. N. B. Howell I (re-elected).

Mr. P. E. Stainton, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce, brought before the association a scheme in connection with the provision of extra accommodation for the Winter Show. He said it had been suggested that provision might be made in the proposed addition where the various sports clubs in the town could be accommodated. There would be meeting rooms for the various societies that assisted In the scheme, and provision would also be made for a training room for football teams, and also for the holding of boxing tournaments. The scheme, he said, bristled with possibilities, and he asked the committee to carefully consider it. He pointed out that unless the sports bodies and young men got behind the Whiter Show Committee it would be impossible for the Winter Show to be carried on, and that would be a lamentable thing. The secretary stated that as it had been ' rumored that the Coronation Hall would not be available for future tournaments, he had, as instructed, interviewed the authorities, and had ascertained that though It had been decided to drastically curtail the letting of the hall, it would be available for tournaments, but at an increased rental.

Mr. R. McCrae considered that the time was ripe when the association should arrange to have a boxing Instructor brought to the town. With due respect to the boxUng instructors at present in the district, be thought it would be an incentive to the sport if an outsider were to come in, just as was done in the case of the professional contests. Hearty appreciation was expressed of the services rendered by Mr. N. B. Howell, the secretary, who had filled the gap at very short notice, and had done excellent service during a strenuous time.

Votes of thanks were accorded the Press, aivd the chairman (Mr. E. Whittle), members expressing their appreciation of his valuable services, and regret, at the fact that he was compelled, for domestic reasons, to decline any active part.

At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. E. Jackson was elected chairman of the committee, and Mr. W. Graham deputy-chair-