Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1906. BOXING AND ITS CONTROL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3702, 21 August 1906, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, AUGUST 21, 1906. BOXING AND ITS CONTROL.

“ Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eaton.” Wellington is supposed to have said this. It is presumed that he meant that the qualities of heart and physique, necessary to make a man a successful officer, were instilled into English boys on the football, cricket and fives grounds ot English public schools. It Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eaton, what sort of a battle ought New Zealanders to put up who have a “ New Zealand Boxing Association ”? That highly respectable body held a championship meeting in the capital city not long since. The sport is I‘controlled ” by men of high public position, civil servants such as Mr McVilly of the Railway Department, professional men such as Dr Newman (ex - politician -and “sport”), the Manager of the New Zealand Press Association and others of equal eminence. The Governor, Ministers of the Crown and M’s.H.R. attend these meetings and give an air of shirt-tront and respectability to them.

The refereeing is usually done by a sporting doctor and the stage is

filled with eminent merchants, editors of papers, lawyers, exbruisers and present bookmakers. The Inspector of Police and the few detectives who are not looking out for “indecent” post-cards also grace the boards. No one feels anything but a savage joy when the features of a hard-faced contestant are pulped; no one worries when the ‘ ‘ solar pleus punch ’ ’ stiffens out one of the opponents. It is all in the game. It is part of the delightful pastime that helped us win Waterloo. That the pastime has no ill effect upon the people is evidenced by the fact that immediately ofie of the contestants appeared outside the (Wellington hall in which the last contest was held, he was smashed over the face with a bottle. It is presumed that the gentleman who did this cheerful thing was training to win another Waterloo. One of the allowable preparations _ for a “spar” is that the padding in the gloves may be crammed into the fingers, leaving the knuckles all but bare. * * * Thk New Zealand Press Association when it spreads itself on the names of the Ministers who patronise the sport and the distinction of having eminent persons for Presidents and Vice-Presidents, -does not mention the solar pleus punch and the smashed features, the bottle outside the theatre, the general air of savagery and blood, the roaring hungry crowd howling for gore. We have yet to learn that the sport of boxing as carried' on under the highly respectable auspices of the N.Z. Boxing Association is less revolting than cockfighting, bull-baiting or Spanish bull-fighting. In the first place, to draw a crowd it is not only necessary that the contestants shall ‘spar,’ but that professional boxers shall be engaged to bruise each other to a ‘knock-out.’ There were no ‘points’ shown in that recent tournament. If victories had been awarded on points of boxing, there would have been no points awarded. The hardest puncher won. If boxing of this kind is respectable and is going to help win another Waterloo, why are not the schoolchildren admitted free to the exhibitions? Most professional boxers box first freshness is gone. They live on the game and they don’t win any Waterlpos. As a matter of fact they generally develop into fat useless “ beer-sparrers.” There are plenty ot them in New Zealand who not only would not help win a Waterloo, but who couldn’t win common respect.

It is a disgrace tliat the Press Association of this country should foster a ‘sport’ that is mostly ruffianism and blood-letting and it is a disgrace to public men in New" Zealand that they should lead their patronage and support to it. The country gets on its hind legs and barks when ruffianism is shown in the football field, it becomes a mass of clammy perspiration over alleged ‘indecent’ post cards, but it doesn’t say a word about the indecency of two men who appear in public half-stripped and who thump each other into bloody masses of stupidity. We are satisfied that His Excellency the Governor, a Minister or two, a few M’s.H.R., and other highly respectable people revived the sport of bear-baiting and the Manager ot the Press Association was graciously pleased to give his kind consent to the dissemination of bear-baiting information throughout the c my, that the sport would become eminently ‘respectable.’ ** . *

There is some talk of putting down the cruel and idiotic sport of pigeon shooting. Already it has been stopped at the great clubs— Hurlingham and others —at Home. We fail to see that a mangled pigeon is a more disgusting sight than a half senseless boxer with a mashed face, or another boxer with his face bashed in with a bottle. Remember that at these tournaments about a dozen people box. The audience does not box. It is only a dozen men who are going to win any Waterloos. It is exactly the position in most games. Britishers speak of the tremendous good that football does to the physique of the nation. The nation does not play football. It watches thirty men play it. Two thousand people watch two men thump each others faces off. Is that helping the physique of the two thousand or only satisfying their blood-thirstyness ? Boxing as encouraged by the highly respectable organisation that controls it in New Zealand, does not encourage the bulk of the people to learn the art of self-defence. It encourages the people to flock to see two or more men exhibit their more or less skill in doing somethat could be done much better by getting a horse to kick the contestants.

A sharp shock of earthquake was experienced in Foxton at shortly after 8 o’clock on Sunday night. ..

Messrs P. Hennessy and Walker, two local tradesmen, left yesterday on a holiday tour through the Auckland province. According to the Advocate a record price for fat weathers off the Kimbolton country was realised this week, 24s being paid fora big line. The Moutoa Estate syndicate are gratuitously presenting another cup trophy to the Athletic Club to be competed for on similar conditions to their last Points Prize Cup. The Maoris in the Waikato district are suffering considerably owing to the failure of their supplies of potatoes, and it is reported"' that the Government has had in several instances to save the natives from starvation.

Recently some doubt was expressed whether Messrs Delvin and Donovan, delegates of the Irish National Parliamentary Party to Australia, would come to New Zealand, but information has now been received that they will reach New Zealand, via the Bluff, about the end of November.

Something should be done by the authorities in reference to checking the sand drift in the vicinity of the pilot station. A wire fence recently erected has in places almost been covered. United action should be taken and systematic planting should be done to stay the progress of the sand. While playing at being an Indian at Columbus, Ohio, little Woohrle Metcalf essayed to lassoo a motor-car. He was too successful, and as the other end of the lassoo was fastened to his waist, he was dragged some distance -before the shouts of the spectators suggested to the driver that something was wrong. Woohrle survived.

A Maori “prophetess” named Hiki Pohi has been creating some excitement at WaifOa (Hawke’s Bay). She claims to have effected several marvellous cures. In one case, a woman of 75, who has been totally blind for two : is stated co have had her eyejtfrht restored. The “ ’ however, claims to be merely a nurse, and is said to refuse payment for her ministrations.

Messrs Mounsey and Co. advertise particulars of sale of a valuable treehold property in the estate of .Con. Sullivan (deceased) to be sold by auction on the property on Monday, 3rd Sept., at 12 o’clock noon. The property is sold under instructions from the Public Trustee, and is a very desirable one, and having a large frontage to three streets will cut up well and sell very readily for workmens homes, and is an excellent investment for a speculator.

Dr Mason, speaking on patent medicines, said “ The mote in our brown brother’s eye is large ; his ignorance is dense; he must be protected from the sorcerer in the fiax mat girdle, with his dangerous mummery. Doubtless these workers are honest, if impatient; but while we lament this willingness to be deceived on the part of our Maori friends, while we should certainly fight the tohunga whenever and wherever we find him, let our pity for the ignorance, our disgust at the hypocrisy, not blind us to the fact that there are tohungas and dupes amongst ourselves.”

‘ ‘ The public is being fleeced right and left in the matter of short weights,” declared Cr McEwan at the Petone Borough Council meeting on Monday evening, when the question of shortweight butter was occupying attention for a few minutes. The Inspector of Weights and Measures had advised that persons who were given short weight could demand to be given the full pound. Cr McEwan added that the same complaint held good in respect of other made-up articles like soap, tobacco, and so on. It was not, he said, the fault of the retailer. No further action was taken.

Mr Simms, Government inspector under the Garden and Orchard Pests Act, was in Foxton on Saturday.* He informed our representative that certain of our local orchardists had taken the necessary steps to rid their trees of the various pests by spraying, etc. Others again were very lax. He said that the Department was determined to prosecute owners who neglected to fulfil the requirements of the Act. We should advise all who have not yet effected ,the necessary spraying to do so af'Oll^hr

The extra trouble will repay them by an increase and better sample of fruit. On the other hand it is unfair to the settler who takes an interest in his trees that his neighbour should provide a breeding ground for garden pests.

Manchester House is shortly to be converted into an up-to-date boarding-house. annual social and tea in *qWyumction with All Saints Sewing Guild will be held on August 29. Mr Starck, local photographer, showed ns an excellant proof of the Rope Works, taken on the occasion of the official opening. Two thousand five hundred men are employed in completing the North Island Main Trunk Railway. Mr J. W. Rough, architect, invites tenders for additions and alterations-, to the Manchester Boarding-house. Tenders close on Monday, 27th hist, at noon. The annual meeting of the Eoxton Rawn Tennis Club will take place in the Public Ribrary tomorrow (Wednesday) evening and not to-night as mentioned in a previous issue. We are requested to state that gentlemen who have received invitations for the forthcoming Tennis and card party party dance may obtain tickets for same from Messrs Morgan, Clemett or Fraser. A mare and foal were sold at the Hamilton pound the other day far the munificent sum of sixpence. And yet, says the local paper, sausages are as dear in the Hamilton market as anywhere else. To be forced to get up early,” says a physician, “ grinds the soul, curdles the blood, swells the spleen, destroys all good intentions, and disturbs all day the mental activity. Criminals are always recruited from the early rising class.” The church-wardens of All Saints Church offer a reward of £2 for information that will lead to the conviction of the person or persons who broke the windows of the Sunday school building. It is to be hoped that the perpetrators of such a foolish joke will be brought to book. It seems that, in spite of his terrible sufferings, Major Dreyfus is capable of continuing his military career. Messages to the ‘‘Cape Times ” state that he has been app Anted to the command of the 12th jtftery of Artillery, and that the colonel of his regiment says that he Will be welcomed as a good and excellent comrade.

An Irish lawyer addressed the Court as “gentlemen,” instead of “Your honours.” After he had concluded, a brother of the Bar reminded him of his error. He immediately rose to apologise thus: “May it please the Court'—in the heat of the debate, I called your honours gentlemen. It was a mistake, your honours. ’ ’ Mr Mervyn Littlejohn notifies the general public that he has commenced business in Foxton as a hairdresser and tobacconist in premises next to Messrs Watchorn, Stiles and Co. Mr Littlejohn conies to Foxton with good credentials, having had many years experience as a tonsorial artist in some of the largest Australian towns. The saloon will be under his personal supervision. He solicits a share of public patronage. An epidemic of stone-throwing has broken out among the local rising generation. The windows of the old school have been peppered and broken, causing damage to the extent of several pounds. Several bf the culprits are known and the School Committee will deal with the matter at its next meeting. The sequel will no doubt be heard of in the Magistrate’s Court when the culprits will find that they have been indulging in a very expensive pastime.

lu Russia it is a popular belief that the life after death is simply a continuation of the life on our planet, and that the dead are subject to the same conditions as in life. For this reason they are sometimes buried with provisions, money, tobacco, and brandy. A wealthy Russian peasant who recently died was supplied in addition with a pack of cards, as he had been much given to gambling. A purse containing £xo was also putin the grave “to pay for his travelling expenses.” Some practical jokers on the night following the burial opened the grave, and extracting the money, placed the body in a sitting position, with a mug oi brandy in one hand, and a pack of cards in the other. Next morning it was rumoured in the village that the dead man was * ‘ restless. ’ ’ The grave was opened and the relatives saw deceased sitting bolt upright. They fell on their knees, and implored him to g.ve up his impious practises, rethe money which he had. 'presumably, lost to his “colleaguues” in the cemetery, and closed the grave. The joke was*, howeter, repeated, and the relatives then declared that the dead man would have to depart without cash. “If we give him more,” they said, “ he will not go. ”

The Hiraatangi, Waverley, and Moa were berthed at the wharf yesterday morning. In onr wanted column is notified that a home is wanted for two young children. A pply at Hicuald for address-,

R. N. Speirs, has for sale heart of totara posts at £5 per too on truck at Paxton. Sample of posts can be seen at timber yard.—Advt. A number of local flax millers left for Palmerston to-day to attend the sale of Mr Simpson’s flax-mill-ing plant and cutting rights at Waitatapia Estate, Bulls. Mrs Farqahar, relicit of the late H. B. Farquahar, at one time Collector of Customs at Nelson, died at Palmerston on Saturday night. The appointment of, Constable Thomas Fitzgibbon as an inspector of weights and measures for the counties of Manawatu and Kairanga has been gazetted.

Hanrahn, a publican at North Fitzroy, Melbourne, received in payment for a property, and placed it under His pillow. During the night two men entered the room, held Hanrahn in the bed, and abstracted the money. They succeeded in escaping with their bootv.