WRESTLING MATCH, FOR £50 A SIDE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1096, 6 July 1882, Page 4

WRESTLING MATCH, FOR £50 A SIDE.

(From the Otago Daily Tlmesi) Thebe was a crowded attendance at the Princess Theatre to witness the wrestling match between Professor Miller and Slade of Timaru, and very

great interest was manifested in the result. Shortly after nine o’clock the curtain was rung up for the wrestling match, a space of about 12 or 15 feet square on the stage being padded with sawdust. The articles of agreement were read to the audience, stipulating that the match should be “ catch-as-catch-can ” above the waist, that the use of the legs for tripping should be allowed, and that 15 minutes’ rest should be allowed between each fall. Three throws out of five were to decide the match. Mr James Mace was appointed judge for his colleague, and Mr Thomas filled the same office for the Timaru champion ; Mr Cornish (an exceedingly well qualified man) being chosen as referee. Both men stripped in excellent condition. They are very nearly of a height, but in point of muscular development Slade, although a formidable looking antagonist, cannot compare with Miller, whose proportions are literally gigantic. On facing each other, it became apparent that a lot of time would be occupied in obtaining hold, as Slade wisely refused most persistently to make play, and Miller was consequently obliged to take this office upon himself throughout. The superior strength of the latter enabled him to take a lot out of his antagonist, however, in this way, as Slade had all his work to do to keep him at a respectful distance, and was more than once caught under the arms, but managed to elude the grip. Miller, moreover, proved that he possesses, besides herculean - strength, A corresponding amount of activity, his movements being almost tiger-like ; and although Slade displayed no mean knowledge of the art, and exercised unflagging caution, he was evidently overmatched from the commencement. After quartering over the ground for a long time without being able to close, Miller secured the first—-an exceedingly pretty fall, throwing his antagonist dean from his feet with only a shoulder grip, and without any attempt at tripping. An equal amount of time was spent over the second encounter, which, however, terminated rather unexpectedly. The men had pretty nenrly-tind-collar hold, and Miller, as he had frequently done previously, feinted, or actually attempted to trip his opponent, Slade was, however, 11 all there " upon this occasion, and back-heeled the Professor very prettily in the nick of time, earning loud applause from the audience. Fall number three was a sensational one. The men closed and went down several times without an actual throw, until Miller at length by some means got his opponent’s bead " in jeopardy," and gripped him round the back of the shoulders, In tins position ho treated liirn to what is known us the "flying mare," throwing him clean over his head a complete somersault, and falling on him. This naturally caused, a perfect fitrore, and both men were forced to appear before the curtain. There was little hope now that. Slade would improve his position, although the match was contested throughout with an extraordinary amount of obstinacy and circumspection. Both wrestlers were, indeed, pretty nearly fagged out by this time, but Miller secured the final throw by a very near cross-buttock, winning the match by three throws to one, after having proved himself incontestably the superior man. Slade’s performance, however, stamps him as a very awkward antagonist to deal with, and we may fairly expect to hear more of his doings after this. The proceedings concluded at about half-past 10, the whole struggle having thus occupied nearly one hour and a-half,