SOUTHLAND NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3511, 28 June 1921, Page 23

SOUTHLAND NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) IKA ERCARGILL, June 25. I lie Southland Boxing Association held a successful championship tournament on Tuesday and Wednesday, and some good bouts were witnessed. 1 he attendance was large cn both nights, and there was a fair proportion of women in the front of the house. The winners of the championship events were as follow: —Feather weight, \V. W. Watts; bantam, L. F. Drew; light-weight, W. W. Watt; welterweight, M. J. Xeylon ; middle-weight, E. APQuarrie; heavy-weight. E. Galt. On Saturday last. J. R. A. Thompson, chemist-, Wyndham, was found dead in his bed_ by his wife. The deceased was not feeling well on the Saturday morning, and remained in bed, and his wife on entering the room about noon found life extinct. An inquest was held, and a verdict recorded in keeping with the medical evi deuce, which was to the effect that the deceased died from heart failure. The 5V.E..A. has invited several professors to lecture under its auspices, and the last one to deliver an address was Prolessor Ramsay, of Dunedin, who took Butler's “Erewhoii” for his subject. There whs a large attendance, and the lecturer was accorded a f>'ood heaving, and at. the conclusion of the address was accorded a hearty vote of thanks by his audience. The W.E.A. has made progress this year, and the classes are better attended than on any previous term. Some consternation has been caused in Southland cricketing circles owing to the exclusion of Southland from the Plunket Shield matches, and a special meeting of the association was called to consider the question. It was decided to send a Southland team on tour next season to play the northern provinces, and if the tour were successful to apply again for inclusion as a major association. Cricket has not been strong in Southland recently, but it is hoped that the universal half-holiday will revive the game again. The police effected a smart arrest in the assault and robbery case in which Ah Chu was robbed of £62. The arrest was effected in front of the courthouse. The man arrested gave the name of William Henry Grant, and he appeared before the court cn Thursday, charged with assault and robbery. Tiie police also stated that ihe accused was wanted for a theft at Lower ITutt and for escaping from Point Halswell Prison on June 2. The case was adjourned for a fortnight. The victim of the robbery. Ah Chu, is still in hospital, but is making satisfactory progress. The Southland bowlers’ annual smoke concert was held on Wednesday, and was the most successful galhe: ing of its kind yet held under the auspices of the Southland Bowling Centre. Both town and country players were strongly represented, and the president (Air A. K. Willett) referred to the successful season just past. He presented the trophies won by the various clubs during the season, and in doing so congratulated the clubs’ representatives bn their successful play. The Kaianoi Woollen Company is gradually extending its business, and opened a warehouse here on Thursday. The opening ceremony was conducted by Air J. Jamieson, a director of the company, there being a big gathering of prominent townspeople. Mr Jamieson’s opening speech was opti mistie, and he praised Southland and its resources, stating that his company had sufficient’faith in the province to extend its business to it. Tlio Mayor (Mr J. !'• Dillic.ian) replied, and said that lie was pleaded to i hear the optimistic remarks of Air Jamieson, and extended his good wishes to th© contnany. At the conclusion _ oi the ceremony the guests were entertained by the conroanv to afternoon tea. There * has been a p iper war raging around cramming in schools, and the effect it is having upon the health of the children. especially girls in their more iranouaiit vears. The matter was referred to at the monthly meeting of the Southland Education Board on Friday, when a resolution was passed unanimously that this board repudiates the statement publicly made in ihe local press that cramming takes place in schools under the board’s control, also that it is necessary for a teacher to cram in order to gain promotion iu the graded list of teachers. , T> . . ... The Southland A. and P. 1 s.-ociation held iis monthly meeting on Friday, when the dates fixed by the conference for the annual show were adopted —namely, December 13 and 14. A request from the Southland j eaa iie that the association hold a A\ inter Show m conjunction with the Jubilee celebrations was adversely reported upon, and the meeting decided to inform the league that, it was not feasible to hold a Winter Show in conjunction with the Jubilee. A ,11 committee was established to report upon the setting up of stock demonstrations similar to those held during the past cn the Knayidale o-tale. The pub-committees appointed to make arrangements for the Borough Jubilee celebrations are meeting regularly, and steady progress is being made towards the end in view. The, Borough Year Book is being prepared gradually. It will be more pretentious than usual, and will include a number of photographs of the town, an account of its municipal development, and a general sketch of the growth of ihe pro- \ inee. The temporary closing of Ihe Alonawai hydro-electric works was effected during ihe week, and before disbanding a big football match was played between the employees representing the Sawmillers and the Headworkers. The game ended in favour of the former team, and its members were pre-

sented with medals by Air Hay on behalf of Alessrs Hay and ATckerman. The closing down of the works will throw about 80 men out of employment. East Saturday great interest, was taken in Ihe meeting of Star and Pirates on the football field. ’( lie ground was heavy after rain, and after a game full of excitement the Pirates succeeded in i ic.iking the unbroken run of wins St >■ h s experienced this season, the final .-cm ■ being 6 to 3. Ihe game was one of the ! e-r seen here f< r many .years 7 , and, despite the heavy ground, was played at a fast rate. The result s of the other mutches were as follow:—lnvercargill (12) v. Bluff (8); Alarist Athletic (6) v. Waikiwi (3). A conference was held during the week between the S.R.F.TT. and its selectors, Alessrs .Mead, Jenkins, and Purdue, with regard to tlie training of the Southland team for the coming representative sesaon. Some friction exists between the selectors and the honorary coach. Air Booth, whose attempts at training have met. with a hostile reception by those clubs in which tie selectors are interested. The conference resulted in the selectors being given another opportunity to give effect, to their promi-‘ s to work in harmony with the coach from now onward.