BOXING ENTERTAINMENT.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2511, 26 May 1909, Page 4

BOXING ENTERTAINMENT.

RAIDED BY THE POLICE. Those devotees of the manly art of self-defence who have had their interest in pugilistic encounters aroused by the cinematograph representation of the struggle between Tommy Burns and Jack Johnson, and- attended a room in f Peel Street last night to gratify their curiosity, most probably regret their enthusiasm this morning, for. thennames aro all legibly recorded in pocket books in the possession of the police. Most of the culprits found themselves in trouble as a result of the most harmless and innocent intentions, for an ■advertisement in the “Times” of yesterday morning read: —“Boxing. Gisborne Pastime Club. To-night! A series of spars by local boxers. Entrance Peel Street, old ‘Times’ office. Public invited free. —W. Crawford, Instructor.” . It is so rarelv that Gisborne is treated to a free show that the room was packed by men of all ages and all occupations, and shortly after 8 o'clock the “Pastime Club” commenced, proceedings, and a series of spars took p ace. Among the onlookers were Sergeant Hutton and Detective Rawle, who, as far as the crowd was aware, took as keen an interest in the sport as any others present. All went well until shortly before 9 o’clock. Some good sparring had heen seen, and tho onlookers were in the best or spirits. The moment was opportune; so a large towel was laid on the floor, and m a few moments it was well covered with silver currency, from half-crowns to threepenny pieces. When, the shower of surer abated. Detective Rawle stepped into the centre of the ring and coolly pocketed the money, niuc-h to the suiprise of the “officials” of the Pastime Club Sergeant Hutton then bar re' the (ioorwavT and with'Detective Rawle took the names of the promoters of tho evening’s entertainment th ® fncl ffi combatants, and the lookers-on. TU police hold the opinion that the spa. _ ■in" was illegal because money w* taken, and in all probabihty prosecutions Will follow. It is understood that the promoters were warned that the.e would be trouble if money was taken, , but a number of persons vha • v present state that money was not a..k for in anv way. and that when the ove was laid on the floor the subsenptions were thrown voluntarily. UrAim other hand, it is a question as to uhether a contest for which payment was v .„, ; n progress without the conrt of 'the Nerv Zealand Boxmg Aaa>SU bavin, bee,, nr,t ..bta.ned. a,ul the matter will probaby he ultimatei. decided by the Stipend,ary Magistrate.