STUDENTS' DUEL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22149, 1 July 1935, Page 6

STUDENTS' DUEL

*' AFFAIR OF HONOUR" BLOOD FROM WOUNDED EAR ANTAGONISTS FINED £1 EACH Excitement- which had been simmering at the University of Melbourne over the formation of a Conservative Club, established to offset the political activities of the student Radical and Labour Clubs, came to a head on Juno 20, when Mr. S. J. Ingwerson, who was expelled from the Conservative Club, fought a/duel vrith Mr. Peter Lalor, a member of the committee of the club on the banks of the university lako. The duel ended when Mr. Lalor was wounded in the ear by Mr. lngwersen's fencing foil. The trouble ioegan at the inaugural meeting of the new club on the previous day, when a prime mover in its formation, Mr. S. G. Pinniger, demanding the formation in the university of a political organisation to cultivate Conservative, principles said that "had the students of Melbourne conserved their traditions they would not be,, as they are, an uncultured rabble, associated only by tho necessity of attending lectures." Excitement Runs High Mr. Pinniger had a mixed reception, as also did tho student who said, "Thank God. Great Britain now has a gentleman as Prime Minister." Mr. Lalor aroused the antagonism of members by expressing the opinion that the club could be of little service unless it could restore the deposed monarchies of Europe. Excitement reached fever heat when Mr.,Lalor declined to withdraw a disparaging remark about Mr. Ingwereen. Mr. Ingwersen said tihat he woidd resign, a decision which tho meeting made haste to anticipate by expelling him.

Mr. Ingwersen met Mr. Lalor later in the grounds of the university, and demanded /an apology, which was not given. Mr. Ingv.erson thereupon slapped Mr. Lalor's face and said, "There is a stain upon my honour which can be washed away only by blood." Mr. Lalor accepted the challenge without hesitation, saying, "I will defend my family's fighting / name." Mr. Lalor's greatgrandfather was the hero of the Eureka Stockade and his "father fell at Gallipoli. Accompanied by a referee and attended by seconds, Messrs. Ingwersen and Lalor arrived at the lakeside next morning and wore given fencing foils. They fought without masks or foil guards, it was evident to the crowd of students who watched the duel that neither was very proficient in the use of the weapons. Shoe-deep in Water Parrying and lunging, at first with gome caution, the antagonists warmed quickly to the encounter, and Mr. Lalor drove Mr/'lngwersen backward into the lake, where the struggle continued with Mr. Ingwersen standing shoe-deep in water. Spurred on by the shouts of the spectators, who called on "the Baron," the title by which Mr. Ingwersen is known to students, to "show his mettle," Mr. Ingwersen fought furiously to prevent Mr. Lalor from driving him farther into the water. Then Mr. Lalor stumbled. It was Mr. Ingwersen's opportunity. He lunged fiercely, and the point of his foil gashed Mr. Lalor's; ear, which began to bleed copiously. Mr. Ingwersen thereupon threw down his foil and declared that his honour had been satisfied. The duellists then shook hands. "Breach of Discipline" With Mr. Ingwersen's expulsion, and the defection of several promising members, says the Argus, the Conservative Club is. now left with a membership of seven, of whom five are office-bearers. Each of the two students who settled the "affair of honour" by means of the duel, were fimsd £1 by the Vice-Chan-cellor of the university, Dr. R. E. Priestley. Students are surprised at the ViceChancellor's action, as the registrar of the university had described the affair as "a jolly good joke." Explaining his action, Dr. Priestley said: "The students were fined for behaviour which I considered a breach of university discipline. The duel was dangerous and such 'rags' must be d : scouraged."