COCK-FIGHTING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 33, 2 November 1928, Page 13

COCK-FIGHTING

“SPORT” STILL IN EXISTENCE AT CHRISTCHURCH A SUNDAY MORNING DIVERSION Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, November 1. Cock fighting as a "sport’’ was considered by the majority of Now Zealand's at least as a shadow of the barbarous past, but recent disclosures would seem to indicate that there are still devotees of this illegal pastime even in the City of Christchurch. Accounts of recent contests in and around the city are the subject of much scepticism and comment, the attitude of some devotees in defending the "sport” being severely condemned. There ■is no doubt that the "sport” is carried on in Christchurch, but the reports as to the dates on which the contests were held are alleged to be incorrect. It is generally understood that most of the big matches are staged at the time of the annual poultry show in June, birds being brought from the West Coast, where it is well known that the illegal pastime flourishes, and big wagering on the outcome of the fights is common. There are in Christchurch two pits which are used often, but without the knowledge of the police, states the "Sun.” The police are hampered in their work in finding evidence of the sport by the fact that for one thing followers of the sport are very careful not to let their whereabouts be known, and that much cf the cock fighting is carried on in the grounds of private houses. The fights are often conducted by professional men, who have their motor-cars, and drive round to the home, of a friend on a Sunday morning, the cock being hidden in.the ear. By degrees, about a dozen men arrive at the rendezvous, and the morning is spent in watching the battles of the birds. As the men are .on private property and ostensibly are haying ft social visit to the home of a friend, it is by no means easy to find evidence of the illegal sport. There is no disputing the fact that the sport docs exist in Christchurch, just as it does more extensively on the West Coast. As recently as a couple of weeks ago a fight was staged,at a private home in Christchurch. nnd some professional men were interested in the affair. The birds are also bred in Christchurch; am 1 some, men make the training of birdsa profitable hobbv. The breeding and training ot game birds is carried on on a systematic scale and there have been instances of schoolbovs making the sport their hobby.