Muscular Christianity.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 66, 17 March 1894, Page 9 (Supplement)

Muscular Christianity.

Two V.M.C.A. Men Have a Lively Three rounp Bout,

Harby Wendt and Robert Heard, mem* bers of the Ravenswood Yetting Slen'g Christian Association, became involved in a disputes over the scoring on January 20th, and some one called out, 'Form a ring.'. This met with universal approval. A ringl wap formed, and the two disputants found themselves in the middle of it. 'Time' was called and the two men wenb ab it. Heard is much the larger, bub nob ao shifty or active on his feet as. Wendfc. Both men were anxious to avoid puniehmenb after each had received one or two blows, and they eparred at lone range and did a good deal of sprinting. When foot-racing or sparring could not ward off blowa from either, a rush or a clinch was made. Neither was in training, and they retired to their corners ftb the end of the first round pretty well winded. . By this time the crowd was a howling mob. Nearly every man had become a partisan and was shouting ' Punch him !' «Give it to him in the neck!' ' Strike out with your left!' and similar unchristian remarks. When the Becond round was called fche two me« advanced warily towards each other, and ib soon developed into a race around the ring, long-distance sparring and clinches to avoid punishment. Both men retired to their corper3 breathing hard and perspiring profusely. In the third round Heard seemed to realise that if be did nob win now his chance would decrease steadily. Acting on this; he landed a vicious blow on Wendb's stomach. Ib doubled Wendb up and knocked out his wind, and before he could get bis breath ' time' was called and he was unable to respond. Both men showed severe punishment and are now confined to their beds. The greatest indignation prevails among the trustees of the association and the pastors and members of the church which supr orts ib. A special meeting of the Governing Board has been called, and • thorough investigation will be made. Both men have been suspended from the associa* tioo, and ib is reported that all who took part in the fight in any way will be.