BRAVO! HINDLEY.

NZ Truth, Issue 78, 15 December 1906, Page 5

BRAVO! HINDLEY.

— ... .» . . Another Clergyman m Defence of Boxing. Only recently a Victorian clergyman laid himself out to defend boxing, and during the intefr-State amateur contests m Melbourne another ecclesiastic earned the praise, of a large crowd by the manner m which he spoke. "I thank the officials of this competition," remarked the Venerable Archdeacon Hindley, "for their courtesy mi n inviting me to witness it. The " reason I have not been present at previous competitions is because I was not invited. (Laughter.) I consider I might have been, because I ■ see around me many young men who know that I take a great interest, m sport. Possibly they may have imagined that I might not care to attend. That idea is wrong, for I stand, as I hope ■> we all stand, for clean, honest sport— (loud cheers)— and. l know of no form of sport that provides better exercise for the body. i and for the temper than boxing. ,In certain circumstances , „/•■ tap on the! nose is twice*. J>lessedrs(|DiMl. daughter) I— it blesses him that "gives and *3ifm that receives* (Loud laughter.) He who gives it learns a lesson of confidence, and he who receives it learns a lesson of caution— (laughter)— and probably the second lesson is more blessed than the first, because it ismore useful. It is wise to be cautious. (Loud laughter.) Looking round I see a picture entirely different^ to what many m their ignorance might imagine it to be. It might be imagined that I would address an audience composed of men, flabby, leery, and possibly beery, who assembled to witness a brutal contest, but it is not so.. I see an audience, keen, clean, clear eyed, and alert. I see around me a congregation \ among whom I can pick out some good old 'have-beens.' I know them by their self-reliant demeanour, and the close cron of their hair. (Loud laughter.) The" time has : come when every man should be expected to take care of himself m a case of necessity, and tha advantage to him lies, not so much m doing so, as m learning to do so, for the lesson is good for the temper. (Applause.) We should give a very hearty welcome to our neighbors, from New South Wales. (Cheers.) As good sports we should congratulate them upon their style— (applause) —upon their condition— (applause)— and upon their sucoess— (cheers)— and as Victorians we hope that when we go to Sydney to • compete m friendly \ strife with them they may be able to congratulate us upon those three things, 'and especially upon our success " (Loud cheers.) The sentiments did the Archdeacon a world of credit,* but he seems to have forgotten his Shakespeare. "Blesseth," not "Messed," and "takes," brave brother, not "receives."—Ed. N.Z.T.