BULL FIGHTING

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 233, 25 May 1932, Page 2

BULL FIGHTING

o SPORT IN SPAIN CRUELTIES OF NATIONAL SPECTACLE DESCRIBED TO ROTARY DR. SCHOLEFIELD'S ADDRESS The announcement of the speaker, Dr. Guy H. Scholefield, at the Rotorua Rotary Club's luncheon yesterday that he would speak that day on "bull fighting" caused some amusement among the members, as they compared this subject with his more serious address last week, when he dealt with the present economic situation and the coming Ottawa Conference. At the conclusion of his address, however, he was accorded a vote of thanlcs for his- interesting remarks, on the motidn of Mr. H. M. Martin. "I am not a bull fighter myself," said Dr. Scholefield, amid laughter, in opening his address. He was, however, once connected with the crew of a Spanish ship carying bullfighters which spent some weeks sailing along the coast of Spain. The speaker said that he had wanted to see a bull-fight, such as was held in practically every town of any size throughout the country. The most popular day for such events was usually Sunday.

The Boy's Ambition Bull-fighting was the Spaniards' national sport and was considered in the same way as Rugby is here. The boys in the streets aimed at being bull-fighters, and even went as far as to drow the traditional pigtail in expeetation of entering the ring. Dr. Scholefield then dealt with the public attitude toward the sport. Women, he said, often found it distasteful and even some men did not like it. As far as he was coneerned, he thought the way in which horses were used and treated was disgusting. The ring and the method of fighting were then described by the speaker, who briefly dealt with the entrance and exit of each new per- i son in connection with the fight until finally the bull was killed and dragged away. Personally he thought that the sport was a relic of bull-hunting on horsebaclc, but, he said, the Spaniards deny this, saying that it was introduced by the Moors into Spain. Specially Bred The bulls were mostly bred in Aragon and the provision of them had developed into a big industry. Care was taken that the bulls, which are usually black in colour, are suited for the sport. Any that do not show fight are dispensed with, probably to the butcher. He then told of the bull-fights held in the villages where, whe.n there was no official bull-ring, the village square was boarded up and utilised. The number of bulls killed at each. fight was six and sometimes as many as 17 horses were gored to death during one afternoon's entertainment. The bulls themselves, to make them savage, were tormented with barbed spikes, and sometimes fireworlcs were driven under the skin and exploded if the animal did not show the proper spirit. Not Entirely Callous The public, said Dr. Scholefield, were not altogether callous, and if a horse was sufforing unduly they announced their desire that it be killed immediately. They also voiced their opinions of the matador, and said plainly whether he had killed the bull to their liking. The official declaration of efficiency was made by the president.

Although the sport was disgusting, the speaker considered that it was a highly skilled one and attended by many risks. Mortality among bull-fighters was higli. Dr. Scholefield, in conclusion, remarked that he thought the popularity of the sport arose mostly from the love of public applause, as the fighters were often followed by crowds, and obviously enjoyed the praise given them.