Dear Sir,

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 98, 14 November 1947, Page 4

Dear Sir,

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the right to abridge, amend or withhold any letter or letters. “TIMBER-R-R” Sir, —Kindly allow me space in your valuable paper, to express my surprise at-a piece in the local news in last Friday’s issue of the Beacon termed “an amusing incident.” If your learned friend calls it amusing when a boxer gets knocked out, I am afraid he has a very misguided sense of humour. Would he care to take the boxer’s place to see if he could find it amusing (if he has the courage) or would he prefer to sit back and write up sarcastic remarks?

I have attended boxing tournaments for 30 years and have never yet seen a boy who has been knocked out hit the mat slowly and gracefully, rather the reverse, so our learned friend has something to learn yet. Boxing is a fine sport but if criticism of that sort is allowed to enter into it, it will certainly spoil the sport. Criticism like that, Sir, is unworthy of your valuable paper. Yours etc., BOXER’S MOTHER. (Re-reading the paragraph headed “Timber-r-r,” we still think, as we thought when we accepted it, that what the contributor found amusing was the comment from the back row, rather than the actual knock-out. In fairness to him, “Boxer’s Mother” should be made aware that he is an ex-boxer with an impressive ring record during, which no one ever found it necessary to question his courage. Moreover, were there not good grounds for regarding him as. a competent critic, the Beacon would not be accepting his contributions. —Editor).

TRUE SCOTTISH SPIRIT Sir, —“Hold Fast” evidently interests himself, or herself in the affairs of the Caledonian Society. If a Scot or of Scottish descent he should be a member of the Society and assist in obtaining and retaining the true Scottish spirit. If he is one of the many who leave the few to do the;, job, he has no right to criticise the A efforts being made. The officers of the Society elected at the annual meeting are as Scottish and efficient as the membership of the Society, could elect. “Hold Fast” would have been welcome there, if a “Scotty,” and his opinions weighed and valued. , I would be pleased to meet and listen to “Hold Fast” and I am not hard to find. ' . Yours etc., CHIEF ANDERSON.