Both assert that they are willing to fight for the honour and benefit of French science. Siki demands his reinstatement, but the French Boxing Federation, which refuses to consent to a match unless Siki proves his charge that the recent match was faked, is unlikely to agree until the inquiry into the charges is concluded. Carpentier’s supporters meantime have supplied evidence to the federation in support of their claim that Siki's allegations are pure invention. Siki, after disappearing from Paris, now announces his readiness to give evidence. Siki wants to fight within three months. Carpentier says that he will be unable to use his hands under a month, but he hopes to oblige Siki in two months thereafter. A further difficulty exists regarding expenses, as the federation demands that, the whole of the gate shall go to scientific objects.
Garden is worth a visit
The display of roses in the Botanic Gardens at the present time is worth going a long way to see. In the beds and borders and rose walks these flowers are now at their best, and if the weather continues suitable they will maintain their display over the holidays, when they will no doubt be a centre of attraction for visitors and residents of the city alike. The past season has been a very suitable one for the blooms, and their size, colour and form will well repay close inspection. Following on the ordinary bush roses, the ramblers are now making headway to maintain the display throughout January. Other features of interest just now are the herbaceous borders in which the poppies, peonies, lupins, campanulas, pyrethrums and delphiniums are providing a brilliant display of varied colour. The borders of sweetwilliams are making excellent progress, and these flowers will be at their best by Christmas, while the beds of later summer flowers give of maintaining an attractive and interesting display. In the rock garden there is still a good showing of dianthus, campanulas and other late-flowering alpines. In their border along the Opoho road the veronicas have become thoroughly well established in a very short time, and are now flowering freely.
Botanical cousins across Ditch
It is not generally known that many of our native New Zealand trees have their counterpart in parts of the Australian bush. One Palmerston grower has imported specimens of Australian ngaio, titoki and manuka. In the last-named only the flower and foliage is somewhat finer than ours.
Landslide on North Rd
The heavy rain which fell on Wednesday caused a serious slip on the North road during the night, between 500 and 600 cubic yards of material slipping down into the gully below Mr Isaac Green’s house, which stands about halfway up the hill from the Normanby tram terminus. — ODT, 15.12.1922
Compiled by Peter Dowden
