SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3832, 23 August 1927, Page 35

SOUTHLAND TOPICS.

(From Ovr Own Correspondent.)

INVERCARGILL, Augiut 20 . Invercargill residents have been careful this week not to pick quarrels with strangers in, the street, for the cream of New Zealana s Loxers have been here since luesday, and the man who can use his fists is a better friend than enemy. It is about 15 years since the last New Zealand boxing championships were held in Invercargill, and on that memorable occasion one of Southland’s heavy weights amazed the audience by turning handsprings in the ling and then proceeding to belabour his bewildered opponent. So effective did his gynmastic feats prove that he won the championship. An American who was present was so enthralled at the spectacle of seeing handsprings turned in the ring that he spoke to the secretary after the championships as follows: ” No "matter where I am, I want you to send me a cable whenever that man is going to light and I 11 sure be there.”

Limes have changed since this Southland champion performed in the ring, and there were no such amazing feats this week. The fray, however, was of a high standard throughout, and the huge gatherings of Southland sport.-men that filled the theatre each evening were delighted with the bouts The quarterly sessions of the Supreme Court commence next week, and there is an exceptionally heavy list, both under civil and criminal business. ]t will not be surprising if the court does not finish the eases until the following week, whereas usually tl\ree days is sufficient to o-ct through the business.

One of Invercargill’s finest sportsmen m the person of Mr R. 11. J. Camm,* manager of the Commercial Bank here, has received notice of promotion to the managership at Christchurch. Mr Camm was a representative cricketer, an enthusiastic tennis player, and a popular manager of touring teams. He is also president of the Male Choir, and it is unnecessary to remark that his departure will leave a gap that will be hard to fill.

Some years ago there was a Southland High School Old Boys’ Association, but for various reasons it became dormant, this week, however, it was revived at an enthusiastic meeting. and there seems every likelihood of its withstanding the onslaughts of time. lhe Southland Rugby touring team re turns on Monday, and if it docs not return covered with glory it cannot be said that it returns covered with mud. Save for the grievous mistake of under-estimating South Canterbury, the Maroon tourists have done as well as those who realised the limitations of the team could expect ; and. after all, the game’s the thing. On Wednesday the Invercargill puclic will see their last representative match of the season, the Taranaki team trying conclusions with Southland on Rugby Bark. The Eastern Districts team, weakened by the absence of its five leading players, who are in the Southland touring party, met its Waterloo at Mataura on Wednesday, when the West Otago representatives gained a last-minute victory by 20 points to 16 points in a game that was much brighter than the day. for rain fell most of the time. The Eastern team travels to Damaru next Saturday to play North Otago. There is only one topic of conversation in Gore, and that is the “ Gaiety Gala.” While the children are dyeing dogs, painting poultry, and cajoling cows, their elders are inventing the most weird and wonderful fancy dress costumes, and it seems that there will not be a soul in Gore during Carniva] Week who will appear in his or her ordinary clothes. Already the carnival spirit has been firmly established, and some exciting stunts have been planned. On the Wednesday evening of the carnival a special excursion train will leave Invercargill with a thons-nd masqueraders on board, including a brass band. Gore will be properly invaded, and al] sorts of illuminated and iihmiinaf-incr addresses will be presented by the “knight, mavors. and dreams ” who travel from the southern city. During the week Winton's commodious now theatre was official!? opened in the Presence of a largo fathering. The inhabitants, are now waiting for a visit from Allan Wilkie Or Paderewski. After having spent the greater part of his active life in the Drummond district, Mr Tom Buckingham is leaving, and on M ednesdny evening residents from far and near gathered to honour the grand old man of the district. Tt may be mentioned that for a quarter of a centurv Tom Buckingham has been secretarv of that successful body, the Drummond Ploughing Match Association, and it mav also be mentioned that much of its success is due to its popular secretary. General S’ir Andrew Russell was a distinguished visitor to Gore and Invercargill last week-end. His visit was not only to meet his former “ comrades ” —as he alwavs described those whom ho had commanded—b”t to stimulate interest in the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Judging from the huge musters at the reunions and the enthusiasm displayed the -General’s li.-it was atton-ted witli