COCK FIGHTING IN ENGLAND.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 3498, 21 June 1884, Page 3

COCK FIGHTING IN ENGLAND.

We had been under the impression that cock fighting was a thing of the past, but it seems we were mistaken,for the following description of a scene, which is reported to have taken place on Easter Monday, near London, has gone the round of the Metropolitan Press : —J A main of cocks, upon which for some lime past, there has been considerable speculation, was fought as a representative match between the Counties of Kent and Surrey. For obvious reasons the fight warmade known only to a few persons, most of whom had a pecuniary interest in the stakes. The whole number at the pit side, including the “ setters” was only thirty-seven persons. The spot selected was in a walled-in orchard attached to a country house of a local gentleman, who entertained the company to breakfast previous to the encounter. The conditions were fifteen birds a-side and £lO a bird on each “ fly.” Surrey, who had secured the services of a wellknown Midland professional “setter,” fought all “ Black-rtd ” birds, whilst Kent depended, with three exceptions, on “Duck-wings,” these three being “ Piles.” The batting at opening was guineas to pounds on Kent, the odds being freely laid, and as freely taken. The first “fly" resulted in a “no go,” both birds being killed simultaneously, the umpire not being able to give a second’s preference to either bird. In the next three, however, Kent had it all its own way, as their birds killed right off the reel. The belting then was 2 to 1 on Kent, and the state of the odds did not vary when the fifth was declared a“ no go.” In the next two, however, weight told, and Surrey scored both by very clever birds. At this stage an unfortunate circumstance occurred, which caused much unpleasantness. A well-known Kentish amateur, who had four birds on the ground, decided to “ set ” his own, but he fastened the spur on “ foul,” the inevitable result being that the first blow which his first bird made cut its own throat instead of that of its antagonist. A scene followed, as the betting had been very heavy. The next three birds turned out to’ be the most arrant cowards ever bred —never looking at their foe, but taking to their heels as soon as set down, and running for their lives, which, however, they did not save. The odds now veered round to 2 to 1 on Surrey, who was three birds to the good ; and as the twelfth couple were sent up the excitement was very great, and became more intensified when again the flat was “no go." At this stage the only hope left to Kent was to bring the issue to a “tie.” Only three “ flys ” were left, and they were as completely “ out-cocked and out-set,” and Surrey won in the easiest fashion, the result being—Surrey, 9 ; Kent 3. No goes, 3. At the termination of the fight the individual who had spurred his own birds offered to find, set, and fight nine birds for £lO a bird against anyone in the world, which offer was at once accepted, Large sums changed hands,