Boxing.

The Wellington boxers in each case were all triers and put up game and creditable performances; lack of training, however, was a noticeable feature, except in the case of Sceats, who was the fittest boxer in the tournament.

The general arrangements made in connection with the boxing reflect great credit on the Otago University, both preliminaries and finals were well staged, without any tiresome delays. If fault can be found with anything in particular, some criticism may be warranted in regard to the referee's control of the bouts. The referee's ruling in regard to in-fighting was very unusual and disturbing to the boxers, and in some cases appeared to be quite unfair. When perfectly legitimate in-fighting was indulged in, his repeated warnings were particularly annoying, handicapped the boxer and on quite a number of occasions prevented good exhibitions.

Hunn put up a good game fight, but was unfortunate in meeting a more rugged and experienced opponent. Although beaten, Hunn was not disgraced.

Richardson, who met a very good exponent of the manly art in Les Cotter, fought very well, but failed to get the decision through not leading. When Richardson develops a more aggressive style of fighting he will be a hard man to beat.

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Desmond, although suffering from a sprained ankle and a severe attack of the "flu," agreed to box and do his best under the circumstances. In the preliminaries Desmond met Eacles (A.U.C.) and although Eacles fought very gamely, Desmond outpointed him by a wide margin. In the evening Desmond met Petre, and in spite of lack of vitality due to the "flu," Desmond gave a very clever exhibition of boxing. Great surprise was evidenced when Petre was given the decision.

Sceats was the surprise of the tournament, and although pitted against boxers possessing good reputations, he was successful in winning the middleweight championship. In the preliminary, Sceats met a really first-class fighter in Batchelor (O.U.). The Wellington rep., however, soon had Batchelor in difficulties through the medium of a pile-driving right. The Otago man fought a really good up-hill battle, but Sceats won with a good deal to spare. In the final bout Sceats met a very awkward boxer; he gained the decision, however, without much difficulty.

Platts-Mills met a very tough customer and hard-hitter in Burrows, and even though he did not receive the decision, there was very little to choose between the boxers at the conclusion of the bout. Great praise is due to Platts-Mills for splendid form displayed against such a dangerous and experienced fighter.