PIG-STICKING

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21417, 8 March 1935, Page 17

PIG-STICKING

TO 'l'llß EDITOR OK VHE I'UISS. Sjv,.—l have read with interest the letter at' "Waif." I am not concerned with his improving of "Monk s worldly knowledge, but with the more important matter in the letter. This "Waif" of ours has punctuated his epistle with a generous shower of "ifs." thus providing himself with loopholes for escape from certain statements lie has made; but his insinuations are obvious. He revels in the glories of spurting blood and "stouthearted boars," and because the British army in India and the civil population of that country have similar tastes, "Waif" thinks that we New Zealanders should cultivate the same sporting desires. His reasoning savours ot the kindergarten. As snake-charming is also a well-known Indian past-time, perhaps "Waif" would like to see us squatting in Cathedral square making weird noises to the antics of reptiles The writer talks about his sorrow for young New Zealanders who cannot stand the sight of blood. Perhaps he is too heartbroken to reply to tnis letter. "Waif" their indulges in some iingoistic nonsense about our British and Irish sporting blood, as though we were the only sportsmen in existence. Continuing, his idea is that if we were true to this blood coursing through our veins, the youth of Christchurch would swell' the takings of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association at the annual show. This is an example of his ignorance of the public taste in sport. "Waif" waxes sorrowful about the 1950 All Blacks if we do not delightin the thrills of Pig-sticking. I wonder how many of the 1905 and 1927 All Blacks were pig-stickers or followers of the sport? "Waif's logic is like his knowledge of the public taste in sport—unworthy of an aborigine. Like many others. I wouldn't go out the front gate to see an exhibition of pig-sticking', not because I'm a fanatical lover of animals, but simply because it wouldn't interest me. The writer chastises Canterbury, especially Christchurch, for being "too sedate, and for not following up the game, "Waif" should mind his own business. lam not criticising him for being a lover of pigsticking, but for trying to force others to take an interest in it. I don't think youth grudges him his fun, but ' Waif seems to take a delight in interfering m ours. We are sedate, "much too sedate,' because we haven't been to a series of pig-sticking exhibitions. Perhaps, I am one of "Waif's" degenerate weaklings afraid of the sight of blood; but with sixpence for every sheep Ive killed, and a holiday for every pig, I might be able to visit "Waifs beloved Indians. Yours, fte., March 7, 1935. TO TH* EDITO* OF THE PKRSS. Sir,—But for the importance of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association and the necessity of protecting it from such absurd proposals as a pig-sticking i ii.. clinur T nm sure

event at the annual show, 1 am sure you would not continue to publish letters on this subject. I propose, therefore. to limit myself to one more answer to "Waifs" arguments. In his latest letter ac begins by attempting to show superior knowledge on matters quite irrelevant For his information I might say that bull-fight-ing is indulged in in Marseilles in particular, and that surely is the south of France. My friend should know that a short trip to Paris does not necessarily give a complete knowledge of France. "Waif" would now deny Ireland the honour of being the first potato-grower; he may as well deprive New Zealand of the privileged rights to the fern leaf or Australia to the wattle. Regarding the merits ot his proposal, if matters little whether the term of "pig" or "suckling" is used, for our correspondent's indifference to the feelings of the spectators and the blood "of a suckling would probably make him the first to suggest the latter should be put on for a junior event. The plain facts are that pig-sticking as a sporting event in the presence of spectators, with the animal confined to a playing field area, is un-British and would be abhorred by people who go to the show solely to see fine animals and fine horsemanship.—Yours, etc., MONK. March 7, 1935. [lf "Waif," who initiated this correspondence, wishes to reply, he may. Otherwise it is closed. —Ed., "The Press."]