Chips & Sawdust.

Southern Cross, Volume 9, Issue 51, 8 March 1902, Page 7

Chips & Sawdust.

(By “ Rata.”) Entries are coming in very freely for the Carnival. At a meeting- of the committee on Saturday it was decided to extend the time for receiving entries to 15th March, but intending competitors are requested to enter at once, so that arrangements can be made for procuring the lugs. * * * Our genial friend Tas Dawson was np to his eyes at the Coiac sports getting all the points for his position as deputy-superintendent for Easter Monday. * * * The secretary informs me that he will be in the office all week to take entries. As Mr Price, of Price and Bulleid, says —“ Come early and avoid the crush.” * * * Speculation is rife as to whether the Championships or the £SO handicap will be won by ’tother-siders. Let us hope that our Southland boys will hold their own. ‘Rata’ thinks they will, and his advice is—train hard. * * # H. A. Nicholls, manager of the Australian Axemen’s Association, in a letter to the Carnival Committee, states that if he can possibly see his way clear he will come over to the Carnival. * * * Mr Mclntosh, of Spar Bush, wishes it known that he is in no way connected with Tobin and Co., who were reported as sawing the tops off posts by way of training for the sawing down competition. However, be that as it may, if our friend Mclntosh is not sawing off posts he has Jack Anderson pacing him with a bicycle along the road so as to have all the muscles fully developed. * * * W. Carson, our promising young axeman of Makarewa, states that he is going away with a thresher and will not compete at the Carnival. What! after training for three months F Face the music, old fellow ! Tom, a younger brother, will have a “cut” at the maiden chop, and is shaping well. * Murdoch out at the Gorge does his chopping in green socks —the latest version of ‘ The wearia’ o’ the green,’ eh, Bob. * * * And speaking of socks reminds me of a joke I heard in our mill the other day. I happened to be fixing my dungarees with a Seaward Bush ‘ bow-yang ’ piece of string when the slahby came along. ‘ I say, ‘ Rata,’ you ought to be a good singer.’ I asked friend Keneallyto explain why, and he said with a laugh — 1 O, ’cause you’ve legs like a canary.’ He left in a hurry. # * * By the way, I wonder if the numerous inquirers after ‘ Rata ’ can spot him by the above description. If not, look out for a middle-aged person with 1 canary legs.’ * * * Rumour has it that .Alex. Simpson and C. Mann, of Orepuki, are going well for the maiden sawing. If they win, Alex, promises to fill the bowl he won at Winton on Boxing Day and give the boys a treat. * * * Secretary Paape, in a note to ‘ Rata,’ wants to know why the Foi est Hill plums are not quite so conducive to * Coiac ’ as at the time of his last visit. I would refer him to S. J. Coupar, Coiac Bay. # * * I regret to report that our friend J. O’Rourke is seriously ill in Tasmania. He will not be able to come over for the Carnival. That he will speedily recover is the wish of all Southland bushmen. , * * * I think the Carnival Committee were wise in making it a rule that all competitors in the chopping and sawing shall wear blue pants (dungarees) and white singlets. All competitors

j (Southland) must wear their colours. ■ This will look much better from a ! specra(oi-’s point of view than the j usual style. !" * * * The Secretary, whew asked by ‘ Rata ’a ’ assistant if it were true that he was about to give further proof of his faith in unionism by taking a better-half, said that- it took him all his time to look after his 600 members, and to think of taking a betterhalf —well, he really couldn’t spare the time—at all events, not until after the Carnival. * * * Messrs Broad, Small and Co. have added sawmilling to their already extensive business. They have pur- | chased Messrs G. Melvin and Co.’smills at Long Bush. The firm is one of the most enterprising in the district, and their many friends will wish them all success in thfir new departure. * * * It is understood that Mr Melvin, who has sold out to Messrs Broad, Small and Co,, intends to devote himself to farming in the Arrow district. May good luck attend him. (To the Editor.) Sir, — There has been some considerable difference of opinion as to the best way of deciding the sawing and chopping events in the approaching Axemen’s Carnival. Some advocate the ‘ single event,’ others the ‘ against time ’ method. Both methods have advantages, and vice versa. If there is a great number competing it is impossible for the spectators to get time to let the eye rest for any beneficial period on any one of the many competitors, and the whole thing can only be viewed as a confused and bewildering flurry. There is no drawing away of the few leaders from the ruck, as in a horse race, so as to afford an exclusive and special interest leading up to the grand finale. On the other hand, the ‘ against time ’ method is hopelessly slow, and lacks the elan of combat, which is so essential to a show. There remains, however, the method of deciding by ‘ heats,’ in which the total number of competitors could be divided into batches, each of which would contribute the best man to form the grand ultimate battle of the giants. This would multiply the events and not unduly so, and would lead up also to the finish in a, manner which would be exhilarating and acceptable to the public. I beg to recommend this for consideration by the committee. This method applied to the whole programme would doubtless unduly prolong it. It might at any rate be tried with advantage in the case of the champion chop. Yours, etc., Veteran.