FEATHERSTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 June 1941, Page 7

FEATHERSTON

NOTED CENTRE OF SPORT REMINISCENCES OF OTHER DAYS. (“Times-Age” Special.) For some years past Featherston has produced some of the best wrestlers to be found in the Dominion, and in particular one heavyweight who was a champion in his class. Featherston has always been an important centre of sport—in racing, football, hockey, tennis, etc., but there was a time when boxing was the flourishing sport. It may not be generally known that some 40 odd years ago there was living in Featherston a young man who had he taken up boxing seriously would probably have become a New Zealand champion—Bon Sheen, brother of Tom Sheen, for many years a well known resident of Featherston. Bon Sheen played football for Featherston in the days when the peculiarly named team. “Featherston Frothers,” were in existence, and later was a Bush representative player. One of the most prominent boxers in Australasia in those days was a coloured fighter who went under the name of "Starlight,” but whose real name was Rowlands. Having seen Bon Sheen box he endeavoured to induce the Featherstonian to take up boxing as a career, expressing the opinion that he would be an outstanding exponent of the art, but Sheen declined the pressing invitations. Tom Sheen was also a clever boxer, while a sister. Miss Sheen, was noted throughout New Zealand as a singer. GOLF COMPETITION ' PLAY AT GUM GROVE. The second round for the stableford competition was played on the Gum Grove links on Saturday afternoon. The following were the best cards: —H. McCarty 22-12-34; K. Allen 28-5-33; A. McNamara 13-18-31; G. O'Neale 27-3-30; L. Benton 18-12-30; H. Bloxam 19-10-29. The second round for the shield will be played next Saturday. Personal Items. Miss Norma Shepherd left yesterday for Dunedin. Mr A. H. Ashdown, Te Moana, who is at present in Hastings carrying out military duties, has been appointed Squadron Sergt.-Major of the C Squadron (Wairarapa) Wellington East Coast Mounted Rifles and will be stationed at Masterton. Mr and Mrs F. J. Staples have returned to Wellington after having visited their son. Mr F. Staples, Hayward Street. Fine .Weather. There was beautifully fine weather in Featherston over the weekend, frosty mornings and calm, sunny days.