CORRESPONDCE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4020, 25 January 1892, Page 2

CORRESPONDCE.

Sozlng[To the Editor] Sin,—About three weeks ago you desoribed a pugilistio encounter which took place in thj Theatre Royal on December 80th as being " thoroughly disgraceful, and an outrase on public decency," Sergeant Hanuan informs me that your remirlisare none too strong, as these brutalising exhibitions are dis.Toditable to the town srnd very demoralising. I see that another of these events is placarded on the walls, to come off next Thursday, and the question is, how lung will the people of Masterton tamely tolerate this state of things 1 It may be said in reply, as long as the requirements of the law are complied with, what can be done ? A great deal can be done. It is irue that boxing is permitted by law, Why? Chiefly that schools and colleges may incorporate it in their athletics, as a part of bodily discipline; but it never was intended to sanction such disgusting exhibitions as those the public of Masterton are treated to. These in spirit are dear infractions of the law, calculated to piovoko a breach of the peace, and an unworthy and damaging perversion of an originally harmless and healthgiving pursuit. In its present development "boxing" is | doomed, for it is so utterly repugnant to moral sentiment that no civilized people will long endure it. Meanwhile, until it is suppressed by law, let municipal law bo brought to bear upon it. The Sergeant of Police is prepared to hand to the Town Council a testimony to this effect, "Thatthese boxing exhibitions are of such a nature thai in the interests of public morality they ought not to be allowed." Then let the Council refuso to license any building where "boxing" is carried on. By taking this decided stand thay will earn the gratitude of all lovers of decency and order and correct the impression gone abroad that Masterton on account of its rowdy larrikinism is a very undesirable place to live in,—l am, &c, John Dukes.

[The suggestion made by the Rev, Mr Dukes is a good one, and we would be glad to see a petition circulatu; asking the Borough Council to pass such a by-law.—Ed. W. D.]