VICAR'S BOXING MATCH.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1378, 2 March 1912, Page 6

VICAR'S BOXING MATCH.

WHY IT WAS POSTPONED. There is great disappointment at Wolvcrton (Bucks) and tho surrounding villages at tho postponement of a boxing contest which had been arranged between the Bov. A. N. Guest, the sporting vicar of Stanfconbury, near Wolvcrton, and Mr. Joseph Hepworth, am ex-Army man (says the London "Daily Mail"). Mr. Guest lias started a young men's club for all sorts of sport, including boxing, and a friend ono day mentioned Mr. Hepworth to him. It was suggested that a match should be arranged between tho two, to take place on tho vicararge lawn, and immense excitement in tho district was aroused. Such publicity was given to the event, especially among tho working men in the London and North-West-ern Railway works, who make- up the larger part of tho population of Wolverton, that Mr. Guest decided, in deference to the Bishop of Oxford, his patron (Earl Spencer), and public opinion, to postpone the match, which was assuming the character of a. prize fight. Mr. Guest, who is a broad, burly, clean-' shaven, short-haired man, a little over 6ft. in' hcigbt and weighting 15st., 6aid to a "Daily Mail" representative:— "I have encouraged the young men of my parish in swimming and running, jumping, and boxing. I myself can clear a five-barred gate in spite of my weight. I box a bit, and try to teach the men, and when this match was started I was only too kfen. I use both arms alike, which is very useful. I wanted to have a I'riendly spar, such as I have often had in tho vicarage grounds. A day or two before the match was to take place I found thcro was tremendous excitement in the town, and there was betting going on in tho public-houses all round. I was told it was 8 to 2 on me hero and 6 to 2 on mo in Wolvcrton, and there was to bo a special train from Northampton to bring peoplo to the match. "I also heard that the men from the railway works were going to take a day oft". I' thought, in the circumstances, tho match ought not (o tako place, and so it was postponed, but I hope we 'shall bo able to hold it later on when the excitemont has died down. Wo could have a fourleen-round contest in the vicarage gardens quietly, just for tho members of tho club. Tool my muscle," concluded the vicar. "Although I am'fortytwo, twelve years older than Mr. Hepworth, it is'not so bad." Mr. Hepworth, who is an ex-corporal in the Rifle Brigade, and who is some inches shorter than Mr. Guest, weighs only list. Clb. He is very modest about his achievements, although ho was a boxer of repute in the Army, and is well known in the neighbourhood. Ho is full of enthusiasm for (he match. On Monday night he said: "I still hope we shall be able to bring it oil some lime. Mr. Guest is a real sportsman."

' Tho dross of an Archduchess has been publicly commented upon by a Hungarian Bishop, Dr. Stuhlmeiszcnburg. In a speech ho mndo pointed reference to tho ilress of tho Archduchess Augusta, granddaughter of tho Emperor Francis Joseph, who" is given to social work. Ho and: "Social work can only be carried out seriously. It is only comical when it is carried on because it is.tho fashion. Archduchesses who visit tho hospitals should not direct their thoughts to wearing tho largest possible earrings and the biggest ostrich feathers in their lints, with gowns which malto tho greatest frou-frou, but should wear simple washing frocks that suit the style of tho work and the. milieu.'' Archduchess was so hurt (hat she says she will never take, part ill social work again if the Bishop mokes such remarks.

Dr. Mary Strongman, president of (.ho Waterford branch of the Women's Franchise. Loaguo, was elected at the annual municipal elections to a seat on the Waterford Corporation, and is the first lady to sit on (in. Irish corporation. Dr. Strangman in a practising phyiician.