WAIRARAPA BOXING ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10006, 31 March 1910, Page 5

WAIRARAPA BOXING ASSOCIATION.

MASTERTON SUB-CENTRE. OPENING OF THE SEASON. , ■ ' ■ ■ ■.. ... * There was a large and appreciative attendance at the Boxing Hall in Dixon Street last evening, when the Masterton subcentre of the Wairarapa Boxing Association opened the season witha_well arranged programme. The popular President of the Association, (Mr A. P. Whatman) made a happy speech, prior to the' programme being commenced. Mr Whatman explained that there was an Association which controlled the various sub-centres connected with it —seven in number. The Association of the various sub-centres were well officered, and there was every reason to hope that thu coming season would be most successful in every way. It was intended that the sport of boxing should be properly conducted and encouraged, and in the Wairarapa there was excellent material for pruducing exponents of the mble art ol self-defence. Mr Malony, who held an excellent record, had been appointed instructor to the Association, and under his tuition it was anticipated that the active members of .the Association would makf good progress. Referring to the auspices sur- " rounding the occasion, Mr Whatman mentioned„ that "that good sport" Mrs Hugh Williams, had presented the wreaths, hung at the opposite corners where the competitors rest between grounds, the information being received with hearty applause.; t The hall was tastefully and elaborate-; ly decorated throughout, the tions being supplied by Mr H. H.l Beetham and Mr Hugh Williams, 1 "and," said the President; "a fir -r lot of decorations I have never seen." (Applause). Emphasising again that the Executive of the Association intended to conduct the sport on exemplary lines, and that no objectionable features would be permitted for a single instant, the President added with a significant nod of the head, "but if anyone who wants to take part thinks that it will be child's play,, he will find himself going out over those ropes."' (Applause). Concluding his remarks',' the President paid a well deserved tribute to the secretary, Mr W. Saville Smith, who, it was explained, was secretary not only to the Masterton sub-centre, but to the Association as well, He was, said the speaker, an ideal secretary. There was not anything that he found to be too much trouble. Mr Smith worked early and late for the welfare of the Association, which he had at heart. (Applause). The programme of events was then proceeded with, the boxing contests being three rounds of two minutes each. An interesting dis-« play of boxing and wrestling was given, and the exhibition by some of the more youthful members was especially creditable, when one remembers that but a very short time ago they virtually had no knowledge at all of the science.

Among thb audience were Messrs H. H. ueetham, W. B. Chehneils, G. Sykes, K. Beeiham, D. J. Cameron, W. H. Perry, W. Cameron. W. H. Jackson, W. H. Booth, W. 1 Bridge, R. 0. Jarrett, U. C. Rams* den, D. K. Logan, C. C. Ross, P. Hunn, J. Cress, T. J. Porter, S. Inder,J. L.Murray, C. Beethiam.A. C. Major, A. J-IfocaTajr Fj Whitton. T. Evans; G< Hyde, Denby, G. Cor!c, W. H. Pownall, W. H. Long, W. Iggulden, K. J; Ogilvy, C.S. Ball, Captain Moss and ©rs. Cook arid Cowie. . r The-prograrame was:as followrlhtroj duct ion of the Instructor, Mr;R Mai* ony, in skipping and shadow sparring. Boxing bouts, J. Cole v. A. Golder, K. Welch v. A. Miller, G. Barr vJ P. McCarthy, C. McDougall v M. Ig- , gulden; Wrestling, W. Fisher v. TJ J. Williamson; Exhibition of wrest' ling holts, the Instructor. Interval. Exhibition of ball punching, the Instructor; Boxing bouts, A. Iggulden v. R. Welch, C. Creelman v. W. 1 Sargent; E. Hubbard v. J. ; and Exhibition by the Instructor} -Wrestling, P. Taplin v. J. CumJ mings; God Save the King. That piano was kindly lent by the Diesden Piano Company, Ltd., and presided over by Mr Inns. ~~"