BOXING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2578, 12 August 1909, Page 6

BOXING.

A DIFFICULTY IN WELLINGTON

(Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Aug. 11. The question has cropped up whether future professional boxing contests should be permitted to take place in the Town Hal IN' The Wellington Boxing Association had made arrangements for such a contest on the 18tli inst., at the Town Hall between Tracey and Unholz, two well-known exponents of boxing. Subsequently the Association received intimation from the Finance Committee of the Council that in future no yirofeseional contests wottld be allowed to take place in the building. Representatives of the Wellington Boxing Association waited on the Finance Committee with reference to the matter.

The Hon. John Rigg, M.L.C., said the Association had incurred liabilities oyer the contest oil the 18tli, amounting to something over £2OO. He emphasised the value of boxing in physicial culture, and said it was permitted by the law of the land. It had been c placed under the control of the Boxing Association of the Dominion, and in no single instance since the sport had been under such control had anything occurred to justify the committee’s action in refusing a permit for the holding of such contests in the Town Hall. Mr. R. TV. McVilly Sard that since the Association had stalted it had taken in receipts £3773, and the expenditure had been £3280. The sum of £Bl5 had. been spent on trophies and expenses for Contests, and £SOO for professional contests. This was evidence that the Association was not catering solely for professional fighters. He had heard the Mayor express the view that in order the amateurs might be able to do their best it was desirable and necessary that they should have efficient tutors. They could not have

a better tutor than a good, clean-liv-ing professional. Dr. Napier McLean said the Mayor was a member of the 'Boxing Association, and had informed him that he was in favor, of granting the hall. Personally, he could not see what reasons could be brought forward against thisT 'What was the objection? Mr'.J H. Owen said the’ matches were boxing contests pure and simple, not fighting matches. .These the Association did not encourage. The Mayor-said tho committee would consider the position. 1 Dr. Napier McLean was hardly right when he quoted the speaker as being so strongly in favor of this matter. Application had boon made for the hall and permission granted on one occasion. When a number of these applications came in it was, of course, his duty to have them considered, as a number of people thought strongly as to 'what the hall should be let for. When it came-to a final application for four more meetings it became his duty to bring them before the committee. On the first application the hall was let entirely for amateur boxing. Subsequently they became aware that there was going to be a professional contest. The deputation would receive an early answer from the committee.

.BURNS AT PALMERSTON—A MISHAP. < PALMERSTON N., August 11. Burns gave an entertainment hero to-night. He subsequently declared ho felt better than ever before. He scrapped and was shadow sparring better than in Wellington. He boxed a lively clip with both sparring partners. O’Donnell, while' boxing with him, slipped and fell on Burns, re-opening an old ankle sprain, which had hurt him in the fight with Johnson. The result is that the doctor declares that it will probablv be a fortnight or longer before Burns can do anything, and he proposes to go to Rotorua to-morrow for treatment, as it would be impossible for him to take no his southern dates at present.