Messrs W. G.Grave, Oamaru (sitting) and A. Talbot
(Greymouth), the first men to cross direct from Lake
Wakatipu to the West Coast sounds, via the Hollyford Valley
and the Cleddau River. - Otago Witness, 2.2.1910.
Bob Fitzsimmons, one of the biggest men of the ring of
modern times, who has just commenced a tour of the Dominion
under engagement to Mr Harry Rickards, was accorded a reception
by the Otago Boxing Association, and representatives of kindred
sports at the Grand Hotel on Saturday.
The extreme heartiness of the welcome accorded the big man
was perhaps due more than anything else to the fact that
Fitzsimmons was at one time a New Zealander.
He arrived here from Cornwall, England, at the age of nine
years, and started out from this country on his fighting
career.
It was therefore, in a sense, a welcome home.
There were close on 40 representatives of sport present, and
Mr T. M. Gillies, of the Otago Boxing Association, presided.
It was thought a fitting thing, the Chairman said, that a
hearty welcome back to New Zealand should be accorded Mr
Fitzsimmons.
They had always looked upon their guest as a New Zealander,
and despite his absence for a great many years they had
closely followed his career and had always regarded him as a
manly exponent of the noble art.
A cordial welcome was also extended to the visitor by Messrs
C. R. Andrews and Willett (Amateur Athletic Association),
Woods (New Zealand Athletic Union), G. McGavin (cricket),
Matthews (Gymnastic Clubs), and S. G. Smith.
Mr Fitzsimmons, in replying, said the unexpected cordiality
and heartiness of the reception had completely knocked him
out.
It was 28 years since he had seen New Zealand.
In a way he became a man here.
It was here that he fought his first contest, and, encouraged
by his success, and by the support accorded him by the people
of New Zealand, he crossed the water to Australia and then
went to America, and he guessed they knew how he had
succeeded there.
He had become the middle-weight champion, the light
heavyweight champion, and heavyweight champion of the world.
He had fought 370 battles, and was twice fairly beaten, once
by Jeffries and once by Lang in Australia.
He had always fought fairly, and had always tried to act his
part like a true sportsman.
He had now retired from the ring.
He was proud to be back in New Zealand, which he regarded as
the greatest, the richest, and the friendliest country in the
world.
- ODT, 7.2.1910.
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