Lawmakers tour South Africa

The New Zealand parliamentary party to South Africa have been enthusiastically welcomed. Hon A.F. Hawke, Sir John Luke, Mr J. Horn and Mr K.J. Howard, together with the Australian delegates, arrived at Durban by the Euripides on August 19. The arrival was made in beautiful weather, and the visitors were much impressed by the beauty of Durban Harbour and the warmth of the reception accorded them. The Mayor’s welcome was couched in most felicitous terms. His Worship said that in the name of the citizens he welcomed the delegates and wished them not only a happy time during their stay in Durban, but a pleasurable and interesting tour of the Union. The honorary secretary of the Empire Parliamentary Association, Mr W.A. Gale, remarked that profit as well as pleasure must be the result of the tour. Like Ulysses of old the delegates were in search of the golden fleece, for they wanted to look into the problem of South Africa’s production of merino wool, and they also desired to look into the question of apple growing. South Africa’s increasing export of fruit being of great interest. "Time was," said Mr Gale, "when New Zealanders and the Boers crossed swords, but those and other weapons of warfare have been beaten into ploughshares, and nothing but the friendliest feelings existed between the people of these sister dominions of the Empire." 

Boxing fatality an accident

The adjourned inquest into the circumstances surrounding the death of Ronald McCallum, of Goodwood, the young man who died following injuries received while taking part in a boxing contest at Palmerston on Friday, September 19, was concluded before the coroner (Mr H.W. Bundle SM) in the Courthouse yesterday morning. 

At the preliminary hearing at Palmerston on September 20 medical evidence and evidence of identification were given. The Coroner said the circumstances of the whole affair were most unfortunate. It was evident from the fact that deceased had taken part in wrestling and boxing that he must have been in a good physical condition. He was satisfied that deceased was, as far as the referee and his opponent were concerned, in a fit state to continue boxing. 

It was just one of  those unfortunate occurrences which would happen in the sport of boxing. His verdict would be that deceased died at Palmerston on September 19 from a fracture of the base of the skull, caused by accidentally falling during a boxing bout. The relatives were entitled to the sympathy of all boxing enthusiasts, while the other contestant was also entitled to all sympathy, it being purely an accident.

A footy field of two halves

In connection with the statements that a public road is marked on the plan as situated in the middle of the Carisbrook Ground, the plan clearly shows that provision has been made for McGlashan St to run through the ground to Gillies St, on the railway side. 

The Otago Presbyterian Church Board, which owns the property, had no misconception regarding the position, and neither had the members of the Otago Rugby Football Union, who have arranged the terms of the lease from the board from time to time. 

An examination of the lease between the board and the union shows that only the allotments on Carisbrook on each side of the road — a non-existent road, but marked in the plan — are included in the lease. The marked street line is excluded. — ODT, 3.10.1924

Compiled by Peter Dowden