HOT WORDS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1227, 8 September 1911, Page 5

HOT WORDS.

PRIZE FIGHTS AND RACE BALLS. DEBATE AT CITY COUNCIL. LETTER FROM MINISTERS' ASSOCIATION. An animated discussion which culminated in an angry sceno bct.veen the ActingMayor (Councillor Join Smith) and Councillor Ilindmarsh, look place at tho meeting of the City Council last evening, when tho following letter from tho Wellington Ministers' Association was read:— "Tho Wellington Ministers' Association desires to urge on tho City Council the undesirableness of leasing the Town Hall ior proiessioual prize fights. lam directed (wrote tho secretary, tho Rev. J. K. Clark), to point out that tho recognised principle in nil British cities is that tho Town Hall represents the highest ideals of the city. One could almost doubt it when the hall is used for such a purpose. The association urges that tho council adhere to its earlier resolution and permit nothing but amateur contests in the City Hall.** Councillor Fletcher moved that no action bo taken. Councillor Hindmarsh seconded tho motion. Commenting on the leanest he said ho believed tho boxing ring as a moral trainer was just as good us the- voluptuous strains of a waltz.

Prize Fights and Race Balls, Referring to a recent boxing contest, Councillor Hindmnrsh went on lo say that tho self-control of tho contestants was a lino object lesson. There was nothing in this twaddle about putting Ihe Town Hall to such base uses as being the place for a prize fight. Thee ministers would not dare to oppose a race ball, lie was not n eroat supports- of prize fighting, but he aid liko truth and sincerity. A race ball was not such good discipline as a fight, which was an exhibition of manliness, patience, pluck, endurance, and consideration. There were I men likelier. Mr. North ami Rev. Dr. Gibb, who could not understand a man i talcing an interest in boxing. Perhaps I it was because they had not the- pluck i and had something of the feminine natura. Men who were properly constituted could enter into the spirit of the thing. He called these objections pig-wash. Councillor Atkinson said that after what they had heard from Councillor Hindmarsh, it was unnecessary for him to say much. Councillor Hindmarsh: "I knew you would opposo me." "Wild and Irresponsible." Councillor Atkinson went on to say that Councillor Hindmarsh's statements wore- wild ami irresponsible. It was u wild tirade, the bulk of which was devoid of logic. Boxing was a manly sport, but it was sheer irrelevance and impertinonce to talk as Councillor Hindmaisli had douo. An entirely different issno had been raised. Councillor Hindmarsh had abused men wli'o were not present. Councillor Hindmarsh: "i didn't abuse them. Councillor Atkinson alluded to Councillor Hindmarsh's reference to Rev. Mr. ■worth. Mr. North was a man of courage. What was gained'bv taking every parson as a target for free and easy speeches? He was sorry Councillor Hindmarsh had let his tongue wag in this wild and irresponsible way, and attack persons in this way. He did not knowwhy Councillor Hindmarsh should hove raised tho question of the morality of a race ball. As to the general question of racing he would willingly help to wipo out tho evil. A councillor: "What evil is that?" Councillor Atkinson: "Tho evil of tho curt." Ho moved as an amendment that it should bo n recommendation to tho iinance Committee that tho request of tho .Ministers' Association should bo granted. . Councillor Barber second tho motion, congratulated Councillor Atkinson, and deprecated Councillor Hindmarsh's remarks. There were disgraceful scenes at prize tights. He hoped tho council would keep the Town Hall clean, so that respectable pcoplo would not bo ashamed to patronise it. "Name Them!" For himself, ho would not bo seen at a prize-light, and declared tnat there wero certain houses ot public entertainment which had sunk so low that their influence was degrading to thoso who resorted to them. "Namo them," requested Councillor Fuller. "1 can name them," declared Councillor Barber. " Well—name them," repeated Councillor Fuller. Councillor Barber, continuing, hoped that tho council would unite to keep tho Town Hall pure and frco from degrading influences. Councillor Fitzgerald said that ho was presant at' tho last contest, and had nothing but admiration lor tho manner in which tho competitions had been conducted. He suggested to Councillor- Barber that if ho would attend such contests occasionally his s-aind would breaden out: ho would not be so narrow-minded. Councillor Fuller thought that it seemed to bo a case of stunted vision. In Now Zealand prize lights, amateur or professional, wero under splendid control. Ho admitted that tho Rev. J. .1. North was a courageous man. So wero Iho prize fighters. But the difference between them was that Mr. North was not under regulated control, and ho sometimes struck a foul. They were all prize fighters in tho world's arena, and it was up to all to piny the game in a clean and manly spirit, and in tho open. No single section of the community should bo permitted to crush another section.

The Temperature- Rising. Coancilljr Shirtcliffo regretted Councillor Hiudmaish's attack on the Kacing Club. Councillor Hindmarsh denied that he reflected upon the club. What "he said was that as a moral factor he thought (hit a boxing contest such as 'm had witnessed was bettor than a race ball. Councillor Shirtcinic sugyesav that if Councillor Hindmarsh had noticed anything wrong at a race ball in the Town Hall ho should have reported it. He himself had attended the race ball, and had seen nothing wrong. As to boxing: contests, while lie had lli; highest regard for the mci wh. controlled amateur boxing ho was opposed to professional sport of any kind, nml especially to professional boxing. It had a bruialising .influence, and led to gambling. Councillor Godber endorsed the previous speaker's strictures on the subject of profcssioi.il boxing. Councillor M'lCenzie, speaking a.s one who had attended both the race ball and the boxing contest, said that he could sun nothing wrong in cither. lie regretted the introduction of such reflections as had been cast by previous speakers. Tho question could-quite easily have been argued on its merits. Dr. Cameron said that tho question as to whether professional sport was degrading or not was a very big question—too involved for argument that night. Ho supported Councillor Fletcher's motion.

At Boiling Point, The Acting-Mayor (Councillor J. Smith) said that he had seen nothing wrong with the boxing contest, but was personally opposed to professional boxing, or any professional sport where the end in view was a money prize. Also, ho had attended tho rare ball, and had seen nothing wrong there. The Governor was present, and his lady, and he thought that Councillor. Hind'marsh, in easting such reflections'- —. "You ought to bo ashamed of yourself for misrepresenting me in this way," exclaimed Councillor ll.indmnrsh, warmly, jumping to his feet. "1 clin*~not cast any reflection upon any person at the ball. 1 said that as a moral factor—a moral factor, sir—tho race ball was inferior to a prize-figlil. I've heard details, I passed no reflections, and I won't bo attacked in this way. It is a cowardly and unmanly way of going on." "You should fight fairly, then, Councillor llindmarsh, and not attack people who are not here to defend themselves." "I tell you 1 made no personal reflections!" shouted Councillor llindmarsh. "You're golfing very sore about it," suggested the Acting-Mayor, "You ought, to he ashamed of yourself!" repeated Councillor llindmarsh, thumping the table. "Your action was roost unjustifiable," commented the Acting-Manor. "I object "- i

"I appeal to tho council —" said the Acting-Mayor. "I shall stand hero and prevent yon from speaking, sir, unless you speak truthfully," declared Councillor Hindmarsh. "1 can Eland just a 6 long as you," said the Acting-Mayor. Matters were rapidly approaching a crisis, when Councillor Fitzgerald intervened. Ho said councillors did not want to listen to a debate between the Chair and Councillor Ilindmarsh. Ho was concorned about the dignity of the council, and the dignity of the Chair. "He should not have misrepresented me," said Councillor Hindinursh. "When, a man gets up and " "If 1 have misrepresented you, 111 apologise," said tho Acting-Mayor. No Action to be Taken. This restored harmony to tho proceed" ings. Councillor Fletcher then briefly replied. Referring to Councillor Barber's references (o oertain places of amusement in the city, tho speaker said (hat he should have reported to the. council anything wrong that he knew of. •"There have been Court cases about them," declared Councillor Barber. "Well," retorted Councillor Fletcher, "the council should have taken action and dealt with the licenses of these people." Councillor Atkinson's amendment was then put and lost by six votes to five, the division boing as follows:— For: Councillors Atkinson, Barber, Godbcr, Shirtcliffo, and 1 the Acting-Mayor. Against: Councillors Cameron, Fitzgerald, Fletcher, Fuller, Hindmarsh, and M'Kcnzie. \ Councillor Fletcher's motion, that no action be t&kon, was then put and carried.