BOXERS AND WAR.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 592, 3 January 1916, Page 3

BOXERS AND WAR.

F'ftENCH FIGHTERS KILLED OS WOUNDED. "Cestlls," of the London "Sports niiin, " writes as follows:—''The Germans have been very busy over on the Continent with our athletes, ami sporting men of all denominations have gone to the great unknown or been wounded. Boxers have done their share in the great light against the barbarians for freedom and civilisation, and casualties confront one continually. The other day the I'aria representative of the 'Sportsman' sent a list, the perusal of which recalled many incidents that occurred on the Continent, for the majority of those he mentioned who have suffered more or less were Frenchmen. Little Bouzonnie, who boxed our first lly-weight champion, Sid Smith, twice, was, I see, killed in Flanders so far back as July, but his death is only just reported, lie was a cheery little 'fellow, seldom without a smile, and almost invariably expressing regret at his inability to speak English. He was only •J:! years of age. One reads with pleasure that the broad-shouldered, splen-didly-built Kniilc Maitrot lias been awarded the Mcdaille Militaire for gallantry in the fighting in Champagne. Maitrot was one of the chief referees of the French Federation, and though I did not agree altogether with his methods, notably when lie was officiating in the Fverndon-Marcel Thomas fight at Dieppe on the day of the KlausCnrpentier battle, his smartness, combined with his build and power, to say nothing of his grit and pluck, must. have made hitn a wonderfully line soldier. Maitrot, besides gaining the mcdaille, as stated, has been promoted second lieutenant for carrying bad; a wounded officer to the trenches, and I lieu, in | lie face of a. furious (ire from the enemy's machine guns, returning four times in succession to reassemble the scattered elements of his company, who were without a commander, arid bring them back in good order to the French lines. .lean Poesy, too, who fought and defeated Digger Stanley at tin- National Sporting Club, and later succumbed in the same ring to Jim Driscoll, is reported badly wounded. l'oesy went, out to Australia under contract to Mr Snowy Baker. Leon See, also well known on tills side, is reported wounded.''

Sir Charles MacKcllar, of .Sydney. C.M.G. Mr C. Wray Palliser, secretary to the New Zealand High Commissioner. Mr Nelson Hood, Victoria. Knights BachelorT' Mr Lauchlan Charles Mackinnon, Melbourne. Mr Henry Griggs, a member of the Legislative Council of West Australia. Many honours have been granted to civilians in recognition of their efforts in connection with the organisation of the production of war materials and the raising of war funds.

A DISTINGUISHED LIST.

SEVERAL OVERSEAS RECIPIENTS LONDON, December 31. The following New Year honours are announced:—■ Knights of the Garter. Earl Ctirzon of Kedleston. The Duke of Devonshire. Viscountcy. Baron Mersey. Barons. Admiral Lord Charles Becesford. Sir Thomas George Shaughnessy, Kt. Mr William Waldorf Astor. Mr David Alfred Thomas, the Welsh coal owner. Sir Alexander Henderson, M.P. Mr Cecil William Norton, M.P. Privy Councillors. Mr George N. Barnes, M.P. Mr Will Crooks, M.P. Baronet. Sir Edward Goschen. K.C.M.G. Mr James B. Boose, secretary of the Royal Colonial Institute. Knights Bachelor. Mr Thomas Beecham. Mr Bowater, Lord Mayor of Birmingham. WAR HONOURS AND DFXORATIONS. LONDON, January 1. The following New Year Honours are announced: — The Tsar. The King has appointed the Tsar a British Field-Marshal. French Admiral Decorated.

Rear-Admiral Gueprattc has been promoted and appointed Commander of the Bath, in recognition of his services while commanding the French battleship squadron which co-o»erated with the British Fleet at the Dardanelles. ' Viscount French of Ypres. Sir John French has chosen the title of Viscount French of Ypres. Baronet. Yiee-Adniinil Sir Frederick Doveton Sturdee, who commanded the British squadron which destroyed the German I'acitic Squadron off the Falkland Islands on December 8, 1914. K.C.M.G. Vice-Admiral Sir George E. I'atey, who was until recently Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Australian Navy. Flight Heroes. Squadron-Commander Bell-Da vis, v.<:. Flight-Lieutenant Smylic, Distinguished Service Cross. These officers, on November 19, carried out an aircraft raid on Ferrijk Junction. Lieutenant Smylie, when his machine was damaged, planed down after releasing all his bombs except one, and landed safely. Lieutenant Smylic then set lire to his machine, knowing that the bomb would destroy it. Suddenly he saw Commander Bell-Davis descending close to the burning aeroplane, and, fearing thai the laller was risking destruction. Lieutenant Smylie ran back and exploded the bomb with a pistol bullet at short range. Commander Bell-Davis then descended and took up Lieutenant Smylie, despite the near approach of a party of Turks, and returned to the aerodome. This feat of airmanship has seldom been equalled for skill and gallantry. Kiirl Curzon, of Kcdlcslon, was horn in isr.il, ami !i;is been a representative Irish ])(■(•(• since 1908. He hits long interested i<i<u-

self in politics, and lias travelled extensively in Central Asia, Persia, Afghanistan, tlie Pamirs, Siam, Indo China, and Korea. He received the gold medal of the Royal Geographical Society in IB!>f>. He is u distinguished scholar, and has published many works of a political nature.

Lord Charles lierrsford had a distinguished naval career, and, after being in command of the Channel Fleet, retired in 1911 with the rank of admiral. He sat in the House of Commons in 1902 for Woolwich, and now represents Portsmouth. He has been a prolilic contributor to naval literature, and is noted for his fearless criticisms of nava! affairs.

Sir Thomas Shaughnossy, who was knighted in 1901, was born at Milwaukee, and is president of the Canadian-Pacillc Railway Company and other companies.

Mr William Waldorf Astor is a member of the famous Astor family, and was born in New York in 1818. He was in the Now York State Legislature from 1878 to 1881, and was United States Minister to Italy from 1882 to 1885. He became a naturalised liritish subject in 1899. He has written a number of novels. His son represents Plymouth in the House of Commons.

Mr David Alfred Thomas is a well-known coal owner in Wales. He was sent to America in connection with the supply of munitions ear'y in the war, and rendered great assistance to the Imperial Government.

Sir Alexander Henderson was created a baronet in 1902. He is chairman of the Great Central Railway, and was a member of the Tariff Commission in 1904. He represents St. George's in the House of Commons.

Mr Cecil William Norton represents West Nc.wington (London* in the House ol' Commons. He is Assistant Postmaster-General, and Cor sonic litnc was Junior I-ord of the Treasury. He served with distinction in the cavalry, being selected some years ago to report on the work of tli-- Italian cavalry.

Vice-Admiral Sturdee was chief of the Naval War Stall" in the early part or the war, and left that post to command the squadron that defeated Admiral von Spec's squadron off the Falkland Islands. He commanded the British force in Samoa in 1890.

Mr William Edward Gosrlicn was British Ambassador at Berlin from l!H)8 till the outbreak of the war. He has had a distill- j quished career in the diplomatic service, | and wears many foreign decorations.

Viscount Mersey is a distinguished British judge who is now president of the Arbitration Board to assess claims for ships requisitioned by the Government. He was commissioner appointed to enquire into the Titanic disaster, and was president of the International Conference on the Safety of Life at Sea in 1913-14.

Mr Thomas Beechuin is a noted British operatic impresario.

Mr I<auchlan Charles McKinuon is one of the proprietors of the Melbourne "Argus."

Admiral Guepratte was in command of the French squadron operating in conjunction with the British at the Dardanelles.

Sir Charles Kimiaird Mackellar has for many years been a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council, and is president of the Hank of New South Wales. He obtained his degree as Bachelor of Medicine at Glasgow University, and afterwards practised in Sydney. For some time lie was president of the Board of Health in New South Wales, and was Minister of Mines in the Jennings Ministry.

Vice Admiral Sir George I'aley was the first commander of the Australian Navy, ami had command of the Australian division of the Meet during the operations in the I'aeiiic.

Mr .lames )!. Mouse is secretary of the Boyal Colonial Institute, and has published many works on colonial affairs. He passed through Christchurch some lime ago on a tour of the Dominions.

The Hon. Thomas Mackenzie was born in Edinburgh, and come to New Zealand at an early age. He represented Clutha in IBK7 and other electorates in subsequent years. He was Minister or Agriculture under Sir Joseph Ward, and on the resignation of his leader became Premier. On being defeated in the House he resigned and accepted the post of Sigh Commissioner in London.

-Mr George H. Barnes and Mr Will Crooks are well-known Labour members of the House of Commons. Mr Barnes is general secretary of the Amalgamated Society of engineers, and edits the journal of that body.

The Duke of Devonshire was born in 18GK, and was treasurer of 11..M. Household in 1900-03. He was financial secretary to the Treasury in 1903-05.