COCKFIGHTS IN ENGLAND

Greymouth Evening Star, 7 May 1931, Page 11

COCKFIGHTS IN ENGLAND

REWARD FOR DETENTION. Organisers of cockfights in Yorkshire have had a price put on their heads. There have been persistent rumours in the Craven district that moorland meets are being arranged on a bigger scale than ever this year, and the authorities, in an effort to check them, have been offering a £lOO reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any of the participants. Heavy gambling is associated with these meets. It is stated that as much as £5OO changes hands at a tourney, amateur bookies shouting the odds to the select gathering, who are sworn to secrecy. It appears to be no uncommon occtirence, according to those in the know, for individual bets of £5O and £lOO to be made at one meet. Artisans and business men often sit cheek by jowl. It is even said that rich men finance these illegal gatherings. When the police become too active, arrangements are made for the fights to take place in isolated country houses behind locked doors. Concealed in specially-made hampers or bags, the birds are taken into the Craven district, claimed to be the cock-fight-ing centre of the north, in fast cars during the night.