Mataura Ensign GORE : TUESDAY, MAy 16, 1893. MURDERED TO MAKE AN AUCKLAND HOLIDAY ?
Mataura Ensign, Volume 15, Issue 1288, 16 May 1893, Page 2
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Mataura Ensign GORE : TUESDAY, MAy 16, 1893. MURDERED TO MAKE AN AUCKLAND HOLIDAY ?
The accounts of the recent fatal prizefight at Auckland are almost enough to raise the question whetLer the familiar boast of the abolition of brutal sports by the advance of Christian civilisation is j not premature It is something to have made gladiatorial shows, duelling, and i cock-tights illegal. It is a great thing to have banished the " cat o' nine tails " from our Armies and Navies, and the rack and thumb-screw from our prisons, But the ttiumph oE humanity over ferocity is not complete as long as rings of incarnate fiends still exist who make it the great delight of their lives to indulge in the utmost possible amount of brutality without infringing the letter of. the law. It has often been said that the love of cruelty is innate in the Anglo-Saxon race. And such a scene as that enacted in broad daylight before a prpwd of syectators in one of the suburbs of the fair city of Auckland less than a month ago makes one inc'ioed to ask whether the charge is not true. It seems that pjor young Forgie, the unfortunate victim, was induced [ artly by his own fear of being thought a coward, partly by the persuasion of a set of fellows whose love of sport had paralysed every humane iustinct of their nature, to engage in a glove-fight with one whose superior strength and skill gave him no shadow of a phanpe. The conduct of the wretches who not only permitted but arranged a match under such conditions practically amounted to murder : in saying this we do not in any way desire to prejudge the charge of manslaughter on which the principal and his abettors were ou Thursday com. milted for trial. The public mind is so ! constituted that immediate comment is I necessary, and lest the subject might fall flat we make a slight departure from the ordinary course and direct attention to an evil that may any day be added to those already existent in G-ore. As far as we can judge from the depositions of the witnesses at the inquest the issue of the contest was from the first a foregone conclusion. It seems to have been only a question how long Forgie could hold oui against one who had such enormous advantages over him as Kicholson. If thai be so, and every detail in the description of the contest confirms this view of the case, it means that a set of coli-blooded monsters determined to make money by inviting a crowd to see a puny but plucky youth done to death by a big brutal bully, Jt was stated at the inquest that the father and mother of the deceased had both remonstrated with their son in the strongest term* against his intention to fight, and that he had so far yielded to them as to promise that this one fight should be his last, bat gaid he had goaf 69 &r $ktf Us cpuld. not
draw back without making his companions think him frightened. The statement of the constables who were present at the fight was that it was fair till the last round when it became brutal. Constable Hutchison de.posed that he saw deceased receive a %e&ryy blow from NicKolson on the face, which caused him to fall on the floor heavily. The floor was a wooden one, and the bock of deceased's head came in contact with it. He appeared to be stunneJ for nine or ten seconds, but got up when the referee called corners. They took the usual spell of one minute, after which they fought again about three or four rounds. Deceased appeared to be getting the worst of it, and was not so well able to defend himself as before the fall on the floor. Nicholson knocked deceased on to the ropes surrounding the ring with a blow. Witness heard someone, whom he believed to be the refere?, sing out "Foul." Nicholson caught hold of the deceased, dragged him off the ropes, and hit him two or three times about the head. Deceased appeared exhausted and unable to defend - himself. Nicholson beat deceased into a corner of the ring. Witness then went forward and stopped the fight, as he considered the deceased was no longer able to defend himself. He considered it brutal for Nicholson to hit the man after he was down, and that was why he stopped it. The c nstable further stated that he had not the slightest hesitation in saying that bad the fight continued he believed Forgie would have been killed in the ring judging from his general appearance and the punishment he was getting. Ana that is the kind ot spectacle which inhabitants of one of the principal cities of New Zealand in the last decade of the Nineteenth Century call " sport !" The jury expressed their appreciation of the conduct of Constable Hutchison in stopping the fight and their desire that the Government should take early steps to prevent such disgraceful proceedings in the future. We question whether a much more brutal or disgusting episode ever occurred in the old days of prizefighting with naked fists. That such an ' incident should have occurred at all is , bad enough; that an Auckland crowd should have stood still and enjnyed it is infinitely worse. The interest awakened by watshing contests of strength and skill is in itself a healthy and elevating one. It tends to inspire bravery and heroism in the spectators as well as in the competitors. But the instant the faintest approach to cruelty is exhibited it ought to arouse a feeling of universal execration. Men who gloat in the sight of cruelty sink below the level of brutes. For the credit of human nature we trust that such an occurrence as the Auckland glove-fight is rare. We trust that the action of the Government and the advance of public opinion will concur in making repetitions of it impossible. Glenure did not sell at Invercargill on S'turday, but theie are several inquiries for sections and private sales are pending. Measles have been prevalent in Invercargill for the past two weeks, and the attendance at come of the schools has suffered in consequence. Mr David Murray was fined in the minimum penalty at Balclutha l*Bt week for exposing lousy sheep for sale in the Crown yards there on the 21s 1 , nit, Townsend, who was accused of sending a threatening letter to the 6.0.M., has been committed for trial. It was proved that be had dogged Mr Gladstone with a revolver for several days. For the next few months the Wuipapa dredge is to be in other hands. A Duned>n speculator has taken it to work on tribute, and a complete change takes effect. Mr Charles McCiill assumes the management. The Australian cricketers have suffered a defeat in their first match at Home, that against Lord Sheffield 'h team. The batting of the Australi»ns was disappointing, especially as the wicket was in excellent condition. The ' Sportsman ' considers that they were unable to play Lockwood's fast bowling ; while the • Sporting Life ' considers that the batting of the team is of a very ordinary character. TJpb Gore and Mataura Football Clnbs p&yed their first match this season at Gore Con Saturday. Smith captained the visitors aod Soyds the local men. The result of the match was a win for Mataura by 8 points (two tries and a goal from the field) to nil. Catberill secured both tries, and McLeod kicked a goal from a " speculator." The game was fairly even throughout, but there cm be no doubt that the better team won, the victors playing with far more combination than the Gore men. The game was controlled by Mr Bowler, who^e decisions were never questioned. Messrs Fox and Ha'ttie were line amjfires*-' One of our best known townsmen, Mr Geo. How, had a decidedly unpleasant experience last night. His dray was well loaded, and the h"ißt"csrgo" he had to discharge was j at the residence of Mr John O'Kane, Ardwick street. It comprised a we'ghty box, j and while George was negotiating this, " Polly " went for a cruise on her own account, with the reßnlt that there was an upße* p the whole of the dray and most of the horse finding a resting place in the big ditch. The horse made a gallant struggle to get out. and it was only after ihe belly-band had been cat and other obsti uctiona removed that it reached the back, while it took a dozen willing hands to ex ricate the cait. The damage was considerable, and there can be li'tle doubt that had Mr How been in it at the time of the accident he would have been seriously injured. of the Gore AtbeEneuTi Committeo was held last night, thu president (Mr James Beattie), Dr Cop'and, and Messrs Buchaoan, McGaw, Oualop and Dewar being present, It was resolved that the Borough Ooucoil be heartily thanke i for thrir dona, tion of L2O towards the funds. This with Ll3 lls in hand made up a decent amount for the purchase of books, and a committee compiieina; the president, Dr OopJaud and Mr McCaw were appointed to draw up a list of suitable work?, it being undeistood that suggestions by subscijbers would xeceive every consideration. The contractors for the new building, Messrs BalliLtine and Campbell, were granted a proerose pnyment of 125. A suggestion by Mr Buchanan that the inside partitions in tie new building hhou'd be filled with sawdust to deaden the sound was favorably received, but as there waa no urgency, was hrjid over till next meeting in order that the cost might be ascertained. A fully-attended commi tee meeting of the Fortrose branch of the Seaward Buth Bail, way Committee was held in Elliott's H ;te 1. Foitrose, on a recent evening. The ai w speakers arguad strongly that the iiue should be constructed to the east bide of the river, and the following resolution* were unanimously adopted :— •' That the Government be reg ested to push foiward the con struction ol the Siaward iinii railway aafar as the unexpended *p'e will allew, and fjhat a further vote be granted by Parliament to complete tue formation and Oiid^e to the east side of the Mataura river." A'so, "In it the Invercargill branch be askid to communicate with this bianch, so that in the event of action being tuken the two committees could work in concert," It was explained that the present contracts when compltt d will take the formation to wi'hin x*lt a mile of the river, and that would 1-jave only about four miles to take the line - right out of the main road on the Wanna* haka Flat. The secretary was instructed to ft/twird the rations to the luvercargill .breach.
Those liable to pay income <a* should re- ( member that returns mn?t ba maio to thn ] Commissioner o! Taxes oa or bef >re the 31st j ofc tbja meotb. There are on view at the ofn'es of the N.Z.L. and M.A. Co., Gore, foui mammoth turnips. They were grown by Mr Adam Crnickahank, of Chatton, and the weight of the four was 601bs. Three of them are purple top? and one grern. The feed was how a broadcast, and Maiden Island guano (for which the Loan Co. are agents) was the fertiliser. A social tea and demonstration will be given in Humphries' Hall, Mutaura, ; on Wednesday, the 31st mat., by the members of the Matiura Gospel Temperance Society. It is expected that a large number will attend. After tea and refreshments a varied piegrttnme will be gone through, and an enjoyable cvi ning is anticipated. A daughter of Mr Jam 8 McKenzie, o! Pukerau, met with an accident oa Frid«y last. She was riding a puny and got unseated, resulting in a dislocated elbow. Dr Warren was telephoned for and wis quickly on (he apoU He reduced the di-l>ca iou and the patitnt will soon regain the full use of her Htm. { A raei ting of the Gore Doma ; n B arJ wa h^d on Saturday evening, present — Messrs Jami-s Beattie (chairman), A. DvJ.*mort>, R. Bree W, Idenrtetson. The tenders of D. McDou^all for fencing end Joseph StdTei-soh for erection of gates were accdpt-jd. The question of Arbor Day was mootu<l, but the meeting broke up without do ; ng am thing in tho meantime. We tear that some notes on suspended Banks in Australia aie in Go'e, and one cf onr leading drapers Was yesterday asked to cash one. He " winked the other eye." It would be well for traders generally to be on their guard, for i« many cases it set-ms likely the obligations of fiu:tnci-»l institutions over the wate> Wil never be met, and those who give good money in return for ther notes may be left lamenting. Nicholson, charged with thj manslaughter of Richard Forgie iv the recent Auckland g'ove fight, hnd other defendants — Lindsay Cook, Bichar-1 John Sanciall, William Rum*, John Wakefiold, Willia-n McMinamen, John • MeConnell, William O'Meara, Frederick J i Partridge, J^mes Saxon, and Frank Burns | —charged, with aiding and ab: tting, were i last Thursday committed for trial. At a public meet ng held at Aruwtovv i, we leain from the ' Laks Coun'y Prts-,' it was resolved — "That in the opi -u-n oft i meeting, the extension <f iho railway from Kingston int ) this district is de-irable and necessary for the future prospsiity of the inhabitHnts, bestdea bunefitiug the colony at large." Ie was then decided to form a Kingston Railway Extension Leagu-*, some 53 membsrs being enrolled. Iv our business columns will be found particulars of a largn clearing sale bj Messrs W. Lewis and Co., drapers. Iv order to re-mark tbe stock the shop is to be closed to-day »nd to-morrow, after which the firm expect thoir premises to be ruuhed f. r the bargains that »r.) to be offered, Thn firm in question do not bdicve in holding their goo is from season to season, and consequently their clemrie sales hay: become recognised as "gnoumo" ones and are pationiaed accordingly. The buildings and plant comprising the Soutbliod Frozen Meat Comp^uy's boiling down works at Wallacefoivu Junction wet burnt early on Thursday mining. Th-y were valued at LISOO, and w^re insured in the New Zealand < fli a oe LI2OO, whia • amonnl was reinsured to tbe extent of LBSO. The company have male arrangermnts for carrying on this branch of their business until new premises are erected. It wi! make no difference to the slaughtering aad freezing operations. A pljasing ceremony took place at tbe Napier railway station on Friday afternoon, when Mr T, W. Brebner, who was transferred to Oore on account of the health of his family, was presented with a handsome Gladstone bag as a Blight tjken o F tbe esteem and regard in which be was held by the st<»ff. Mr A. W. Hutchings, in nuking the presentation, spoke very highly of Mr Brebner's maoy good qualities, and referred to the sorrow of the Btaff at puting with him.— he wish was expressed that the eh »nge of air would have the desired effect upon ihe health of Mr Brebner and family, — • Napier Telegraph.' On the departure of Dr and Mrs Donaldson from Anow a numoer of their friends took occasion to present the lady with a pur c cf sovereign?, which they hoped she would ppend in purchasing something to remind her of her stay in the Lakes district. Accordingly Mrs Donaldson chose a very handsome silver tea and coffee service ant* an oak and silver tray, in the centre of whioh is a ehieli bearing this inscription : — " Presented t'> Mrs Donaldson by a few of her friends oa the occasion of her leaving the Lakes District. February, 1893." We are sure the friends who may inspect their present; will be very much pleased at the choice of inch handsome ai tides. The annual meeting of the Matanra Draughts Clnb was held in the Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday evening last. A fair number of players were present. Mr Winning occupied the chair. Ihe secretary submitted the balance sheet (which was adopted), showing receipts to the amount of L 2 I Is ; the expenditure was L 2 10s 6d, leaving credit balance of 6d. The fo'lowing were elected offke-bearera :— Mr P. Cliik, president ; Mr Jas. Preston, vice-president ; Mr J. S. Shanks, secretary and treasurer (re-elected). A committee was formed to arrange for a plac3 of meeting, e'c. A vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring officebearers. 1h) Lion, G. F. Richardson, late Minister for Lands, and member for Mataura, comes to tbe district in a few days to address his constituents. It has been sttted that Mr Bichardaon meant to confine himse'f to criticism of the Tand Department. He considers this reference to his meeting with his constituents is made up for the purpose of misleading. He does njtinteni to confine himself to a criticism of the present administration of lands, but claims to form a judgment on the Ministerial policy as a whole. He will sketch out what he oenceives should be tbe policy of the future. The local correspondent of the ' Southland Times,' understood to be a gentlem-m " agin any government '" and especially at variance with the Gore Borough Council, writes : — " The Council at its last meeting considered tbe matter of some dotted lines in th° Eiet Ward and a lengthy opinion theieon by Mr Robert McNab, solicitor, Invercargill, who recommends that these road lines be closed by special order and offered to the neighboring section owners. The opinion* read is very elaborate^ but those who know the facts are aware that the Council have only right to the streets es *hown on the public survey map of East Oure and any road lines previously proposed wero thereby obliterated, snd tbe land belongs to the Crown and is under the administration of the Waste Land Board. The Council had to go from home to get an op'nion palatable." Notwith^tandiDK the wet nieht on Sufurday there was a good gathering at Messrs Brewer and Trembath's Boroe B&au,r to witness the aerial performance of Mr AU xander, the Australian Blon in Among a number of teats on the wire Bloadin marched forwards and backwards, sat on a chair, walked in bs&kets, danced the High* land fling, walked blind f o] ied, and gave a startling performance on a trapezje suspended under the wire, He also rode a bicycle across the wire. The Band played apprc- i priate music durm? the evening, and thogj ' present showed themselves highly pleased by their frtquent applause. A. number of prizes were distributed, which increased tbe popn- ' larity of the entertainment. Blondm gives ' an open-air performance in the domain block opposite the Town Hall to-night, when i a codec ion will be taken up on the per. ; former's behalf. B<y doubt there will be a ' large githering, and the performance will Jbe ' eailjtfrLy iecognis«4 by atienaUsg, ■
