1961-11-04 — Page 3

and a bell

his corner

Bill McGillis is one with the dust now. He slipped away in his 86th year, quietly and unattended, and no church bell tolled his passing. Yet for this old prize-fight manager, at least one belfry should have vibrated-the tower of a small church in Calgary, Canada.

More than four decades ago, Bill helped purchase the bell for that cupola. And, of all things, through a prize fight.

It was in May, 1919, on a sunless day of gloom, that Mc- Gillis brought his heavyweight hopeful, Max Vazzi, into a

haphazard arena in Calgary 'for

By-

Robert Bau

"Everyone must have credit bloodless, his knees began buck-

a bout with Reggie Smith, an in this Ledger. For who knows ling, and then a left and a undistinguished parts of the whom the Great Referee will right landed on his chin. Vazzi second part.

call home at any moment?” dropped, his body stiffening.

The referee began the count

Vazzi, a handsome giant of 22 from Reggio, Italy, was the fav- A shower of silver covered ourite to win, and why not? He was a skilled ring fencer and a man who punched with power. Smith

accorded wasn't

the slightest chance against him.

Loneliness

The audience filed into the arena quickly, for outside

the

the ring floor. Referee O'Toole and, as he did, an eerie white helped the minister pick up the glow pierced the skylights. From coins. Even Bill McGillis re- out of the thick, sunless gloom, sunlight trieved part of the silver. The a ghostly

streak of minister left the ring with his shone on Vazzi's face. pockets bulging. And then, in O'Toole counted

"2, 3, 4, the dismal, poorly lighted barn, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and out!"-and the fight began.

all the while Vazzi's face was bathed in the halo-like streak.

sunlight disappeared. Once

And as

they dragged the fighter back to his

Vazzi lashed out with left Then, almost at the instant the jabs and found his mark on referee ended the count, the sky was a cloudy curtain, un- Smith's face, leaving reddened broken by the merest suggestion skin. But this did not deter again, the arena was wrapped in of sun. Inside, the fans huddled Smith, a squat, bearish man. together in the loneliness of the He rushed in and scored with gloom. old barn. The only light came

Vazzi's head a right uppercut. through skylights in the roof. shook and his neck muscles stricken

Vazzi and Smith climbed bulged. From his face went the corner, Bill McGillis ashen face

and were through the. ropes

smile he had carried only mo- told the story, Maximilian Vazzi. greeted by the referee,

Kenny ments

before. Plainly he was was dead. O'Toole. Then, suddenly, a little in pain. man in clerical garb clambered into the ring. "I want to speak Outside the ring, peering

to the crowd," the minister told O'Toole. "There's plenty of time," O'Toole replied.

The minister began speaking to the quiet audience. "I know you men are going to help us buy a bell for our church," he said. "Your silver tokens will buy a memento for God's home and it will be a credit to you

on the Great Ledger."

the through

ropes, McGillis screamed to his fighter: "Keep moving, box-keep moving and stick out your left!!”

Sunlight

Vazzi failed to heed the

He They advice. The audience stirred.

fumbled his way the ring, lashed by wanted the fight to begin. But about

Smith's blows. the minister went on.

His face was

THO

STAMP NEWS

TWO DOLLARSİ S-HONGKONG="

HONG KONGE

THREE COLLARS USTANI DUTY

Victorian revenue stamps

authorised for postal use

in

HOUGH a separate series of revenue stamps was

1867 and 1903 (au- general circulation between thorised under provision of the Stamps Ordinance of 1866) the $2, $3 and $10 values were exceptionally authorised from 1874 onwards for postal use.

These stamps used in the post can only be identified by the handstruck cancellation they bear: for example, the B62 and 62B and other obliterators used in the treaty ports, and circular dated stamps of the period including the HONG KONG/Paid All datestamp in red up to March] 31, 1877 (indicating use on U.S.A.,mail), The PAID ALL datestamp in black or red used after April 1, 1877, and all manuscript obliterations, indicate fiscal use.

With the introduction of the 1891 unified series of postage and revenue stamps, all revenue stamps were authorised for postal use.

You h

Credit card to Phyllis Young.

WHO IS IT?

(by Majid Gafoor)

you name?

When someone asks you who is dearest to you—who would For me there can only be one answer and if you examine the following statements and apply them you will agree with me too.

When you are in trouble and Who is this wonderful, un- no one seems to be able to help selfish and kind person? Because you-when it seems even your we take for granted all these best friend has deserted you, cares bestowed on us by this this person is always ready with person we do not really realise a sympathetic ear and a hand it and appreciate and be thank- ready to help.

ful for it.

Just think over all that this When you fall ill, a soft voice will comfort you while a cool person does and you will, no hand will be laid on your fevered doubt, realise that it is the brow by this someone. You will person you call “MOTHER.” be nursed back to health even though it may take days, weeks or months-the only goal being your recovery. This person is kind and - will make sacrifices (and often does) in order that, you may never be in need.

When you know not when or where to turn, advice and assist- ance will be rendered to you unselfishly and willingly. The path you chose may be a hard and long one, but this person will always be near you either mentally or physically to urge you on and on to success. But be you a failure or a success, good or bad, you will always be seen

through loving and affectionate eyes and be regarded | as precious as gold.

Through life you will inces- santly seek the help and advice of this someone and it will be freely given. You will find that it is THIS person ONLY that you can place your complete trust to always act for your good and defend and protect you zealously.

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