SMITH'S HOME-COMING AT DUNEDIN.

Grey River Argus, 21 April 1911, Page 7

SMITH'S HOME-COMING AT DUNEDIN.

Last week "Dave" Smith was teetered a reception of welcome by the Otag-o B.A. to celebrate his xeturn to Dunedin. The proceedings are reported as follows in . a Dunedin paper:—lf Mr "Dave" Smith, the erstwhile Otago middk-weight amateur champion, who has returned to Dunedin after hissuccessful professional career in Sydney, was not a ibrilliant boxer, he would be a clever monb-

logue entertainer. He demonstrated this in a remarkable manner at a reception tendered him last evening by the Otago Boxing Association, when, responding to the toast of his health (proposed in fitting terms by Mr. S. S. Myers, one of the vicepresidents of the Association) he entertained a large gathering of enthusiasts with amusing anecdotes of his experience in Sydney. He was particularly happy in his stories concerning the characteristics «and quaint methods of the American 'boxing team —"Ray" Bronson, "Jim" dabby, "Cyclone" Thompson and "Billy', Papke — with whom he came in contact not only in the boxing arena, but in the training camp.

Born in Mosgiel, Otago, and receiving his earliest instructions in the art from Mr Davis, of South Dunedin, "Dave" Smith proved an exceptionally apt pupil. As a member of the Otago Boxing Association, and competing under its Tules, he won all the contests he entered, for, earning the reputation of being a clean and clever boxer. Smith's career has been meteoric. Joining the professional ranks more than two years ago, practically as a novice, he quickly won recognition as one of the most brilliant exponents bf "boding that New Zealand has ever produced. Spea king of his experiences in Sydney, the Otago champion confessed that he had learnt a good deal in the art of 'boxing, .but looked back with pride on receiving the ground work of his training in Dunedin. He explained that the visit of the American team had somewhat revolutionised the style of boxing in Australia, but he did not aprove of the methods which were opposed to the clean . break-away of the Australians and New Zealanders. Referring to the number of fatalities that had occurred of late, Smith said that he was strongly of opinion that the law which exists in New Zealand, making it compulsory for competitors .to be medically examined 'before entering the ring should be made universal. Of his recent contest with Papke, the American (the' only one, by the way, in which he has experienced defeat in his career as a 'boxer), Smith explained that the night -before the contest he was suffering from ptomaine' 'poisoning, and, though he felt well, was not as fit as he might have been. It is the intention of the Otago champion to spend a few weeks in New Zealand, and then tour the world. He hopes to go to London, which city Mr H. M'lntosh, the well-known promoter, has held out inducements for him to visit.