FEILDING.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1200, 1 March 1895, Page 18

FEILDING.

Jn sooth "more like London every day," is the remark I heard in reference to this thriving little town. The.week has indeed been a busy oiie. Sheep sales, cycling r..ces, wrestling and cricket matches, and yet we complain of "hard times." There were upwards of 10,000 sheep yarded in Messrs Go: ton and-Son's yards, and although prices were not

materially improved, buyers were numerous and many of the stock changed hauds. Lambs, accordingtu^ali-ty-f - from Is 6d to 4s let, while 2 tooth ewes sold from 7s to 9s, the latter >rice.being obtained for a splendid pen of Lincolns, belonging to and bred by Mr Cowns.Breeding ewes ranged from 4s to 6s Id, the top price being * for full-mouthed Romneys, belonging to Messrs Buchanan and Levett: while some- >«<Jt2^sj^i|bhers

were sold at the magnificent figure of one"" shilling. The cycling races on Wednesday afternoon were attended by about 1,300 people. The handicapping was good, for all the races were keenly contested. >; ' We are to have new municipal buildings, and the site is at present a bone of contention among our worthy townsfolk. On Saturday night a long-looked for event took place, viz., a wrestling match between J. Sutherland, the champion middle-weight of New Zealand, and W. J. F. Halcombe, who for two years was amateur champion of Western Michigan (U.S.A.). Bit- is the son of * one of the oldest and most respected settlers in the district, Mr A. F. fcjfalcombe, who had much to do with our e*rly settlements. The men met for the first time at the Feildina sports, when Mr Halcombe suffered defeat after a keen contest. It is but fair to mention that at the time he was only half-trained, and ' later on a second match was arranged. The Assembly Room was crowded, and when at 8.30 the men stepped on to the padded stage and shook hands the excitement was intense. They were evenly matched as to height and weight and both were splendidly trained, being,- jin fact, one mass of muscle. They are of medium height, Halco.nl e being fair and Sutherland dark and swarthy, and \ when wrestling their skins presented a strange contrast. The first bout "was " catch ascatch can," in which Halcombe gained "firstfall"in four minutes After an/inter- K valof ten minutes the men again smilingly faced each other. The style was GiseaoRoman, andlastedten minutes, when after amostscientificdisplay of wrestiing Sutherland scored. Halcombe secured the third fall in cach-as catch-can, and Sutherland was again successful in this Grsecb-Roroan, making them even once more. Now came the fifth and final bout, and everyone's nerves were at concert pitch, for this round was to decide whether the victory would rest with the New, Zealand champion or the local man. They tossed for choice of style, and Sutherland being the victor chose theGraeco-Rornan, as everyone expected he would. The'tussle was short and decisive, for Halcombe managed to gain a hold from which Sutherlandc >uld notget away, and placed the latter slowly but surely on the broad of his back, amid the ringing cheers; of the Feildingites. The audience was" the most exemplary I ever saw, moat of the leading citizens being present- The match was an interesting display of pure science and strength, and there- was nothing that the most sensitive of mortals could object to. Everyone went home pleased wi;h the interesting exhibition, and each man xeceivocb round, after round of applause according to his merits. ._ -----