PUGILISM AMONGST UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2404, 19 December 1881, Page 3

PUGILISM AMONGST UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS.

[Melbourne “ Argus,” December sth.] The difference which occurred on Thursday last at the University between two members of the professorial staff after a Board meeting has been formally reported to the Chancellor and Council. Further reticence on our part on a subject which must sooner or later obtain full publicity is therefore no longer necessary. The meeting was held for the election of the president for the year of the Professorial Board, and four professors were present. Each professor was supposed to write on a slip of paper the name of the candidate whom he voted for. On examining the slips one by one, and calling out the name on each as he opened it, the registrar discovered that one paper was blank. Professor Nanson said that his vote had been overlooked, and handed in a slip, which others say was not submitted until the other votes had been announced, Mr Nansen’s vote caused Professor McCoy, who was the only candidate who received two votes, to be elected. After the meeting was over, the result of the election (to which no special importance was attached) formed the topic of conversation between two or three gentlemen. Professor Elkington remarked to 'Mr Nanson that he had no particular reason to be proud of the event he had brought about. An explanation was demanded, Mr Elkington told Mr Nanson that ;he put in a blank paper in the first instance, and did not fill up the second until he bad ascertained how the other votes had gone. Mr Nanson then gave Mr Elkington the lie direct, and the latter promptly struck Mr Nanson in the face, the blow driving that gentleman backwards. Before leaving the room Mr Elkington took another and somewhat kindred method of expressing his resentment at Mr Nanson’s words. Particulars of the affair wore noted down in the presence of the gentlemen remaining in the room, and they were forwarded to the University authorities by Mr Nanson, It is understood that in the event of the Council taking no action in the matter Mr Nanson will resort to legal proceedings.