THE BOXING MOVEMENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9616, 9 October 1909, Page 4

THE BOXING MOVEMENT.

The strong movement that is now ] being made throughout the Wairarapa to establish "the noble art of self-defence," promises to be most successful. The sport is in good and enthusiastic hands, and will, no doubt, become popular among the young men and youth of the district. In many psople's minds the term boxing is synonymous with prize-fighting. It is a pity that these good folk do not keep themselves a little up-to-date, and so come to recognise that prize-fighting has nothing whatever in common with boxing. \Unfor- ! tunately, for this harmless and health-giving pastime, it had its o_itcome in the old pugilism of long ago; but the outcome ia so totally different in every respect from its pro genitor that it might just as easily be confounded with the gladiatorial combats with tne cestus held in the Roman amphitheatres. In regard to the movement under notice proper instruction and regulation are essential to success. So far as the latter is concerned there is no doubt, and it is to be hoped that satisfactory arrangements will be made to obtain the farmer. But the success of the Association that has been formed does not depend entirely upon the Management Committee; every member can assist by keeping before his mind, as the chief object of his membership, the development in its truest sense cf a manly sport. Members can do much in the way,of encouraging one ainther and in adding to individual proficiency. The display of pcrso-ial prowess over one another is not so much to be desired as the acquisition of a scientific knowledge of the sport. The influences that the Association will exercise are of an entirely desirable character, and on this account the movement ia one that may be very properly patrjnised by leading citizens and settlers. Wairarapa men have, attained to a'most distinguished degree of efficiency in various sport*, and it is satisf ictory to realise that the boxing enthusiasts have plenty of the best material to work upon. Possibly champions in boxing will ba produced at no very distant date, under the auspices of the new formed Association.