A VETERAN FIGHTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 51, 21 July 1914, Page 2

A VETERAN FIGHTER.

| HOW lIE OCTED THE CHAMPION. I Professor J. Stagpoole, well known in the Eltliam :uid New Plymouth districts, in a letter to an Eltliam resident, details an experience "he had while travelling as advance agent for a company of which his family were the stars. It will be remembered that the Professor wore hia hair rather long, apd in a place in Australia, called Tumat, this called forth some ridicule from some would-be funny men. .lack went up to the biggest—a man of Bft. —and wrung liis nose, whereupon it was suggested that an adjournment should be made to the back yard of the hotel, where differences could be settled. Jack stripped off, but liis opponent only removed his coat, thinking no doubt that he had a soft thing on. However, he seemed rather timid when Jack shaped up —either at Jack's style, or the way he stripped—but as he shaped rahlier well the Professor was cautious for a start. Then, feinting with his left, Jack drew his opponent, and with a right cross sent him down with a heavy blow on the temple. He got up again the worse for wear, and, stepping in, Jack put a very hard one on to his point, and, to use the Professor's own words, "lie hadn't properly recovered consciousness when I left the town next morning." The affair created a sensation in the town, as it turned out that the man he disposed of in two hits was tlic local champion, who was 28 years old, stood Oft., and weighed 14 stone—and Jack is 60 years of age! Jack concludes by saying: "IF ever I go back to Tumat I can own tlie town. It pays to know a bit."—Argus.