SUNDAY BOXING BAN

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 293, 6 September 1932, Page 2

SUNDAY BOXING BAN

Suit as “Common Informer” £l5OO FOR MINISTER A minister, acting as “common informer,” won an action on July 5 under the Sunday Observance Act of 1780, being awarded £l5OO in respect of Sunday boxing matches. The Rev. J. S. Perkins, minister of Zion Congregational Church, Hulme, Manchester, brought an action at Manchester claiming damages for five Sundays on which boxing contests were held at Manchester Stadium. He was awarded the sums he claimed—£looo from Mr. W. Millward, senior, the manager of the stadium, and £5OO from Mr. L. B. Cox, a magistrate. Judgment was entered with costs. Counsel for the defence quoted the following lines from Hood: — Better it were if in his best of suits The artisan who goes to work ou Monday Should spend a leisure hour among the brutes Than make a beast Of his own self on But what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy I Counsel said that the promoters advertised “free admission” in order to keep within the law. Mn Perkins had never failed to get free admission when he had asked for it. But no one could enter without some kind of ticket, because, the Excise.authorities would not permit it. People were not admitted to the building for money, but to certain reserved places. “We have no intention of appealing against the decision,” Mr. Cox said after .the case concluded, “and for the moment Sunday boxing in Manchester under our management will end. I contested the case because I have always been a firm believer In freedom of action, freedom of speech and freedom for all members of the community according to their beliefs. “I do not think Mr. Perkins will claim the £l5OO awarded to him, but in any case the costs of the action will amount to more than £3OO. I have six children, all at home, and my dyeing and cleaning business has been seriously affected by the trade depression.”