$200 FOR TOMMY BURNS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Otago Witness, Issue 2892, 18 August 1909, Page 64

$200 FOR TOMMY BURNS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

AUCKLAND, August 11. A sum of £200 awaits Tommy Burns ia Auckland — that is to say, an old-time boxer is desirous of giving the ex-chaan-pion an opportunity of collecting that amount from him if he can. The old jllimer is Tom Lees, quondam heavyweight champion of Australia, and now resident in Auckland. Says this gentleman in a letter to the Star : " I see Mr Thomas Burns (ex-champion of the world) has arrived in Maoriland, and is going to give boxing exhibitions. I am a New Zealander, and an old boxer, and I -hear a jot of arguments about the merits of different men — Billy ?ara:n, Joe Goddard, Peter Jackson, and other champions that I have fought, — whether they were as good as the present-day ones, iam quite willing to fight Tommy Burns four or six rounds in Auckland for £200 a-side. I herewith hand you £200 as my deposit. I hope Mr Burns won't say that I am an old man or want me to fight sbmeone else. If I make a mistake I am willing to pay and ehake hands and be friends. I -would like an answer as soon as possible, as I have a business appointment in reference to an hotel that I intend taking. Trusting Mr Burns- and hie company will have a good time in New Zealand."* By way of footnote, the editor of the Star 6aye : " I have received Mr Lees's cheque for £200, but would like to point out that all boxing contents must be governed by a duly-registered association, and the best plan for Mr Lees would be to approach the officials of the Northern Boxing Association, and ..probably they would consider the advisability of matching the pair." * • August 13. Tommy Burns has accepted the challenge issued by Tom Lees of Auckland, the exAustralian heavy weight champion. In tonight's Star appears the following letter fr<m Burns:— "l have just seen thp challenge from T. Lees while on the train on my way to Rotoma.. I will be only too triad to box Mr Lees for the £200. and am sending a cheque to cover Mr Left's money. I will guarantee not to knock Mr Lees out, under any consideration, but, will box him four or six rounds iusf. to show the public how good a boxer Mr Tom Lees is." The Star's sporting editor acknowledges receipt of Burns's cheque for £200, so that the match will be arranged through the proper quarters _^____ «

The Inveroargill Town Council has received 33 applications for the position of town engineer— four from Auckland, four from Wellington, three from Christchurch, six from Dunedin, two from Waihi, two from Feikling, one each from Napier, Kaiteiki, Raetihi, Wanganui, Pahiatua, Dannevirke, New Plymouth, Nelson, Timaru, and Balclutha, and two from Invercarpill. The appointment will be made next Thursday evening. The Llandrindod Wells Golf Club has established a " Caddy Camp." Twenty-four newsboys from South Wales have been employed, and are housed in tents adjoining the links