ENGLISH M.P’S. FISTICUFFS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 814, 19 February 1910, Page 3

ENGLISH M.P’S. FISTICUFFS.

SIR WILLIAM BULL’S FIGHT WITH INTERRUPTER.

An extraordinary scene was witnessed in Cambridge Road, Hammersmith, about midday on January 6th. Sir William Bull, Unionist M.P. tor Hammersmith, and candidate for re-election, was addressing a number of Messrs Warings’ workmen on their return from their midday meal. One member of the audience rendered himself conspicuous by his interruptions, and one remark called forth Sir William Bull’s resentment. Sir William and the interrupter were soon engaged in a hand-to-hand combat, which was terminated by the arrival of the police.

Sir William Bull afterwards gave the following account of the occurrence: —“There were about 200 men present, and one of them was very persistent and offensive in his interruptions. I know the man, and I know he was interrupting simply to kill the limited time which was at the disposal of the men to stay and listen to my remarks. “ At last the man said ‘I am not a solicitor who is paid to tell lies.’ I said, 1 that is a very offensive observation, and I will punch your head.’ I jumped over the door of the motor-car which I had been speaking from, and I struck him on the chest, saying ‘ I can’t allow any man to call me a liar.’ He retaliated, and my hat was knocked off my head. “The crowd was evidently greatly amused, and they immediately formed a ring, being intent on seeing fair play, and nobody interfered until the police came. My opponent hit me on the cheek, and I punched him on the face several times. I was handicapped by having my great coat on, but the contest had lasted two or three minutes when a policeinspector came up and said, ‘Sir William, this must not go on,’ and then the ring broke up, and friends intervened and separated us.

A man in the crowd shouted to me that my conduct had been most ungentlemauly, to which I replied, ‘lam anlEnglisbman before lam a gentleman. If anybody calls me a liar I shall use ray fists, so that any man knows what to expect.’ I have had some experience of boxing, and quite enjoyed the ‘brush.’ ” At the subsequent general election Hammersmith re-elected Sir William Bull.