Thought I would share this with you and not in my copy of Ray's Index.
Ray does list this as probably the first show.
1931 January 24th
NEWCASTLE
Henri Irslinger 2-1 Bert Assirati .... Douglas Clark 1-1 Owen Duffy .... Andy Powers 1-0 Carl Dodge .... Half Nelson Keyes 2-1 Billy Harrison
The 2nd show and the next one with the actual advert. We have so little from early 1931 and these bouts really are pretty much a duplicate of what was put on round the country in the early months of 31.
The promoters realised it was more sensible to start the shows earlier particularly so people from outlying areas could get their buses etc home also a lot of people would stay in town after the Newcastle match grab a beer or some food then head into St James, it worked well for shop workers who finished by 6pm too . It was definitely a factor in the good attendances once it was established.