Reminiscences and Records.

NZ Truth, Issue 510, 27 March 1915, Page 10

Reminiscences and Records.

(BY "BOXER-MAJOR.")

Copyright: All Rights Reserved by the

Author

BOOK II.— CHAPTER XXVI

I was telling something about Peter Jackson's exhibition spar with Pablo Fanque (usually called Pablo Frank), m a recent chapter, and the reminiscence has awakened the memory of Mr. H. J. J. Jackson, of Hillcote, Beach-road, Rushcutter Bay, who writes: —

"Dear 'Boxer-Major': Being a constant reader of your 'Reminiscences and Records,' I was very' much interested m reading an enquiry by one of

your correspondents, asking for information concerning an eight rounds spar, or fight, between Peter Jackson and Pablo Fanque; also your reply, m which you stated that it was only an exhibition spar for the benefit of some gentleman from England, who was anxious to see how our blaok champion shaped. "Well, I scarcely ever missed a Saturday night at Foley's White Horse and was present on this occasion; and, let me tell you, it was a four rounds fight, and such a good one that I shall never forget it ; that is to say it was a fight on Jackson's part, and an exhibition of how to stop m the ring with a man far superior to himself, on Pablo's part. Jackson tried i his best to out him; but Pablo's circus tricks and condition stood to him. He was most of the time on the floor. Anyhow Jackson's remark at the conclusion ought to prove that he was trying; for, on Pablo throwing a back somersault over the ropes, Jackson called out: 'Come back here for another round and you WON'T THROW ANY MORE SOMERSAULTS!" "I don't want to belittle Jackson, who was one of the whitest; but Pablo, who was built on the Jim Burge lines, dodged him that night. "Can you tell me what became of Pluto, the pocket edition of Peter Jackson, who used to put up such good spars at the White Horse?" To first answer the question propounded, I may say that the last I heard of Pluto, about a year ago, was that he was m Western Australia. This is rather vague and unsatisfying; but mayhap one among my countless readers m many countries may be able to send along more minute particulars. As to my correspondent's story of the fo.ur rounds between Jackson and Fanque, I am inclined to think that the pair must have met twice, if what he says is true. If not, then it is almost safe to assume that my friend was not "m the know." Even his own story of what Jackson said to the circus acrobat goes to show that Peter could not have been half trying, during the four rounds, but that 'he was angered by what looked like a piece of DEFIANT, BOASTFUL FLASHNESS on the part of Fanque, at the close and wanted to teach him manners. This is reasonable argument; for if he couldn't knock him out m four rounds, what hope had he of doing it m one round? I am afraid the logical conclusion is that my correspondent was misled by ftn imitation; for Jackson's remark pointed to an exactly opposite deduction. It appears to me as though it could have been interpreted into words of this nature: "You flash cad. I lst you off and refrained fr,om hurting or outing you; .and you reward my forbearance by throwing off at me. Let me have you m here for one round m real earnest, and see if you'll be able to chuck off at me after that."

How does that interpretation appear to you, Mr. Jackson? It never presented itself to you m that light, before, I undertake to say, my friend; but there is little doubt of the reasonableness of my view, as I fancy you will agree.

Prom far-away Fremantle comes a gentle protest from my old friend Mick Dooley; who joins issue with my Richmond River correspondent, Mr. Gorman, who held that Mick was not a good knuckle fighter. Dooley writes:

"Being a constant reader of your interesting reminiscences of old-time fights, I take exception to your correspondent's statement that I was a rank failure as a knuckle-fighter. Now as I was never defeated m the prize ring with the knuckles and was open to fight all comers bar Mr. L. Foley (who was then the accredited champion of the prize ring m Australia), 1 fall to see where ; THE 'RANK FAILURE 1 COMES IN. Mr. Charley Campbell put up £50 for mo to fight the late Peter Jackson, with the knuckles; so he could not have thought me such a 'rank failure': and he is supposed to be a good judge of the game." I am glad to hear from Dooley and to give him this chance of defending his reputation as a scrapper m tho old style. His work m that line was all done before I came to Sydney from Auckland; so that I take no responsibility as to the statements of correspondents anent occurrences that were "before my time." 1 should very much like to hear further from friend Dooley.' By the way, I'd love to bave been with him and have him read the ridiculous, disjointed, and howlingly false and misleading yarn that appeared m the columns of a Sydney evening paper,' recently, anent the retirement of my frierfd Police-Superintendent McVane, and his connection with the Lawson-Agar fatal fight.

In these reminiscences I have previously referred to this matter, but, for excellent reasons, without mentioning Mr. McVane by name; but I did not happen to see this absurd literary excretion, which was published on January 24 of this year of our Lord. 1915. As. however, the absurdity Is so misleading, I cannot overlook the letter of the correspondent, who called my attention to tho matter and enclosed the cutting from tho evening paper aforementioned, In his lottor of February 14 last past.

But, as ho only signed hlmaolf "An Old Sport," omitting to enclose also his correct name and address, I prefer to reserve his statement of what I sincerely believe.

TO BE THE ABSOLUTE FACTS; seeing that they endorse what I have already published, from tho data supplied to mo m 1887; until I have, verified them by looking up the records; which will take time to do. So, for the present, that matter will be treated ns sub judice; the while 1 sincerely thank "Old Sport," for his interest und assistance.

A week or two ago. In the "Sportsman," I mentioned having had a brief chat with my valued friend, Tom Partridge, the now-famous prtzo-winncr m poultry exhibitions; but more famous m the early nineties ns a middleweight boxer, under the assumed name of "Tom Pheasant." 1 have also told th« htory of his memorable fight with Billy Heffernan. commenced at the Darlinghurst Rink (Australian Athletic Club) and finished at Billy Young's famous old Golden Gate Club, Brickfield Mill.

Strange to say. the very woek 1 mot Tom at the Stadium Thursday mniineo. I camo ncrofiß, m polng through the oldest file of "Truth." In search of .«omothln»r qulto different, my own report of Tom's first ftffht nn a. profosHlonnl. and it struck mo thut It would he hard to find a moro interesting "romlniHonee." H l« therefore a plcnnuro to reproduce the story; (he more so as hi« opponent wiim no oilier than .Mm Ityiin, tho n'mnrkiihly handsome Hraldwood middleweight whom JlK'ht with Dan Crccdou I hnvo already, re-

corded and who made such a good! record, subsequently, m the United States. Here is the tale of tho trouble as it appeared m "Truth." of July 10, 1892:—