The Art of Self Defence

Feilding Star, Volume VI, Issue 85, 30 December 1884, Page 3

The Art of Self Defence

There was a large attendance at the boxing display in the Town Hall on Saturday evening. The ''show" commenced with a set-to between Professor Bloom and Mr J. Pettengel s the third round in which was a good exhibition of both , attack and defence, on the part of both combatants. A set-to followed between Messrs H. Pettengel and Perry, the latter proving a. strong opponent, although the former -managed to get in a few I

" telling ones." Two local amateurs — Messrs H. Laing and C. Hodges then tried their skill together. The former's action was rather amusing, but both were pretty evenly matched, and on the whole proved themselves fair boxers. Mr H. Pettengel then gave a " performance" with the Indian clubs, which was very neatly and skilfully gone through. This was followed by a bout at single stick between Messrs Stanley and H. Pettengel, whose expertness was loudly applauded. Messrs n. Laing and J. Rose, local amateurs, then took the sticks in hand. There was a good deal of play but neither seemed to have much knowledge of the game, Rose, if anything proving the better man. Messrs Perry and J. Pettengel the late opponents in a glove fight at "Wellington for £50 aside, then took the gloves and "fought their battle o'er again," this being the most scientific event of the evening. Perry showed perhaps the best action. Messrs R. Price and Drake then went in for the amateurs silver medal, but their unscientific play caused the ; gloves to be taken off during the first round. Rose and Hodges then went into the ring, but the former got his " claret tapped" in the first round and retired. H. : Laing and J. Bartholomew next appeared, the latter showing the , most skill both in attack and defence, '■ and kept Laing well to it. The wind np lay between Laing and Hodges. The former seemed disinclined to keep his ground, and made the other man do all the work. The latter was declared the winner by a single point, The. medal was then pinned to his breast #mid loud applause, and this terminated the evening's amusement. "We must compliment Mr Bloom on the tact he displays in preventing anything which might lead to a loss of temper on the part of the amateurs.

A second exhibition was given last evening to a moderate house. A programme : comprising boxing, single stick, clubs, &c, was gone through with spirit. Several local men took part, and in a boxing bout between IL Laing and J. Rose the former eeoured the- highest- number of points, and was awarded -a- silver medal. • The set-to between Pettengel and Perry (the contestants in the late glove fight in Wellington) was much admired. Both men are capital boxers, especially Pettengel, who shows admirable defence, while his powers of attack in •direct, counter, and cross - counter bitting are simply perfect. For his weight he is undoubtedly one. of the prettiest and most scientific boxers in the colony.