PUGILISTIC ENCOUNTERS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XIII, Issue 4052, 2 March 1892, Page 2

PUGILISTIC ENCOUNTERS.

Tfce Qu.o3tl«n Before tho Borough pouoili , Tho Lessee ef the. Theatre Warnol. At the meeting of the borough Council last evening, a discussion arose oyer thje recent exhibitions of prize fighting in Mastfrton, on the application of the lessee of the Theatre Boyal for a renewal of his ((cense, Or I)iifon pointed out that the an: plication for a renewal, was not it) order, as it did not, as required by the Apt, state for what purpose jt was proposed to use the Theatre. Bis Worship the Mayor stated that in his opinion it was unnecessary for the applicant to state in detail how he intended using the building, In fact he did not think it was required of the lessee to apply to the Council for n renewal at all. All that was necessary was for the lessee to pay his fee to the Clerk and obtain his license, Or Heron did not think it worth while discussing the matter unless some Councillor had an objection to make to tho renewal of the license, . Cr Dixon said he had objections to make. The terms of the liconse had jn'the past been infringed by tbe'use of the Theatre''for prize' fighting, t|ie exhibitions of which Had been'brutal in the extreme. The a'pp|icant should state for what purposes he intended using the' Ijalj. 'He would, move, '.' That the application fqr a renewal he he(d qye'p nntjl jt js stated for what purpose it is intended to use. the Theatre," The Mayor seconded the motion profonna, He did not, however, think the Council should require the lessee every year to state how he intended using the hall, If it did, it would be necessary for the lessee to go tlirougu'^±ts!'' fi dictionary and pick out every amusement, They had ppjer upder the Act to cancel the lioense a f , any time if the theatre was being conducted in an improper manner. ; . ';■ Gr Dixon considered the lessee had gone altogether outside the terms of his license In allowing prize fighting. . (jtye |f sjor: If we refuse the license our (jejjißJpn can be appealed agpst in the. §upren)'e Court. This might mean a 'consteble amount of jitigali9nV ' ' -' ;: '"'■ '"■\"' (3r Rapper would support jihe reso.IntjonofGi' Dixon. The exhibition? made in the Theatre fjoynj of late had been debasing and disgraceful in the extreme. The public wai almost unanimously of opinion that {hose exhibitions should be pat: a atop to; Or Heron agreed with the, motion to some extent. :: Prize fightina was no doubt an evil and was certainly obnoxious, At tho same time he did not think they were justified in taking such an extreme measure as refusing the licenso,' They should have sonm

'■' v:;'' "i't^\v-, .;. ; "■"' ' petition from the ratepayeis on the matter before they took action. The Mayor quito. endorsed what, had ..been'said about the evil of prize fighting, but,ho •would'like to have the voice of the ratepayers on the matter. He was quite prepared to accede to the request oi the ratepayers. Or Bessey moved as an amendment, that the renewal of the license be granted, but that ihe t licensee lie warned that if such discracoful exhibilions ■.'as'those,recently., madei.M repeated he \yill be liable to have his, license ca'tic'elleil. He had been prejsent at a prizefight: recently, and in his opinion t.hQiexbibition was brutal It had'goho'tobfiir andflhouldbe put n stop'.to'.'' (Hear, benr).' '' ' - ■-.' Or Mutrie' seconded the.amend men f . , " - ■'■' •>.'/>.■■ '■■'■ ■'. ! | ~, After some further.discussion the amendment was put and carried on division, the ayes being His Worship the Mayor and Crs Heron, Hessey, Mutrie and Gapper, and the noes Ors Dixon and Perry.