THE PARLIAMENTARY PUGILISTIC CHAMPIONSHIP.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1713, 20 March 1888, Page 4

THE PARLIAMENTARY PUGILISTIC CHAMPIONSHIP.

Shortly ufter ten o'clock tutu night Mi John M'E'hono, member for the Upp«r Hunter, ,-md Mr J. M. Malhußoa, member for Glen lones, met in the smoking room of the House of Parliament, and ir, the presence of a few spectators fought a very lively four rounds. The minority of the lion, members of the House complain that no notice was given them of the impending combat, and many of Mr jM'ElhonVs friwnris were severely offended by lijh not informing them that he once again intended to try bin sireugih in the noble and elevating sports of th* ring. It in now understood that hie antifighting utterances of the pant 'Week have been merely what his thoroughly tried friend Foley calla "kid," and <ho hon. gentleman is an accomplished " The hon. gentlemen met in the refreshment room about the hour named, and after interchanging a ft*w pleasantries about the weather and the progress of th<s mission to the Pagans in Polynesia, THE FIGHT COMMENCED. Mac led off with a left-hander, which Matheson stopped neatly with his mouth, and spat a discarded tooth cheerfully into the eye of his Dearest friend. He replied with a right-hauded upper cut, aud broke two Baucers on the shelf near him. Mac, in reply, shot out his deadly left band, anJ blocked Mr D. O'OoDiior's hat. That gentleman at once adjourned to get some 2oz gloves and a couple of towels, and tho round ended. Time, lmin 4jec. BOUND 11. On time being called, Malheaon led off smartly with his left, but the blow was neatly stopped by tbe epigastrium of hie opponent who led out a right-hander, and knocked a chip off the mantelshelf. A clinch ensued, and on endeavouriig to backheel and throw his antagonist, Mathehoq got bis foot in a Hpitoon, which he kicked through the bookcase window. The fall resulted in his favor, and getting j Mac down on the sofa, he dealt him a couple of wind jammers, which showed that he knew how to graft when he got his man on ths ropes. The round ended in' favor of Matheson, who had visited Mac's corn beef dei.&t, with despatch, a good many times. T me, 2min 6§atc. KOTJNP HI, Matheson responded promptly to the Cill of time, but Mac came up ratlw slowly. The former led, and a heavy 'eft-hander-waa stopped by Mac with his eye, which had the effect of causing him to change colour—about Hie optic. This round only occupied lmio 2sec, though a couple of clinches were indulged in, and Mac fought barn to get on the GrsacoRornan hair lock. KOUND IV. Mac showed sigus of great punishment, and on toeing the line was knocked down and his second threw up a spittoon in , t,qkec that tbe fight was ended for the present. REMARKS ON THE SET-TO. Both men displayed considerable skisl, hitting out ike windmills, to the danger ,o ( f spectators within seven eight feet of '"'the ever changing scene of combat. Mac is, however, not in condi Ln, and wil: probably require to take ten or iwe've stone off before he next engages to regulate ihe probity and V6raci'.y of his co-laborers in the interests of this great and glorious country. He will go to Ryde most likely, but he would gain greatly by going to walk. Matheson is a younger and more athletic man, and better skilled in the of fighting, At least he did good bigness when he got his man down. At present it is unlikely that either man will accept any challenges. Burke and Slavin have both wired, offering terms to t'he victor, while Mr Creer and Tonkin are anxious to accomodate Mr at any time for any amount. Men and. money nt the Dog and Duck Hotel, THE CAUSE OF THE TURN-UP. There was bad blood between the men. During the debate on Mr Garland's motiou to include a line to the silver country in tbe next railway bill, Mr M'Elhone iuterjtscted, referring to the White Rocks Company : " Tha-'s another swindle." Mr Mathesou is manager of the company. He met the member for the Upper Hunter /in the smoking room shortly aftenvurds, and Baid :

" Did you say the White Bocks Company is a swindle V

"1 might have," answered the other; ' I dou'i know."

"Well," continued the enquiring geotleman, "if it is not repoi ted in Hansard that you Baid so, I'll apologise to you." •' Oh, I might have said it was," replied Mr M'ElhoHe cheerfully, " Then, if you did, you're a, d- —d liar," commented Mr Maihesou.

" I can't allow any man to call me a liar," said the member for the Upper Hunter, and he hit out in a southerly direction, landing on Mr Matheaon'a legislative mouth. Before the first blow whs struck Mr D, O'Connor, bearing in mind the promised blessing to the peacemtkers, tried to pour oil on the hon, members, but when the fray commenced he judiciously cleared out, and left thera at '''. At the; conclusion of the fray Mr Melville dropped in casually, but tbeie was nothing for him to do in a professional capacity-. GENEBAL VIEW OF THE FIGHI. It wan au unscientific display of pothouse brutality, and highly d'ScrediUbU, not only to those taking part, but to the members of Parliament who stood by and witnessed b big powerful man thrashing nu old, loud-mouthed, but harmless bully. The smoking room wua Dourly filled wiih members, and the men who disgraced JhemselviH and insulted their constituencies might have been borne bodily out of the chamber if fcuch a proceeding were necessary. AJCTER THE BATTLE. M'Elhone was senousiy distressed, and walked about the Chamber, holding him-Bt-lf in tho vicinity of the breast b nid oi his pants, and cotnpluntrig. His eyg w*s cut and bleeding aud his general <=xpr. anion unpleasant. For some considerable lime afterwards the attendant* were engaged in bathing vnd looking after him, •ncl' yearly-an-hour .elapsed before he coufd leuve the Chamber. Matheson wa»* unhurt, except that he was slightly cut about the mouth. GENERAL RfcMABKS.

< Both men j.jr-5 J? eeirauers. "These be thy gods, 0 1»m»1 Star.