BOXING.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIIC, Issue 13774, 10 December 1908, Page 3

BOXING.

To thr> Ktlitor of the 'Timarti Herald." Sir. —I see Andrew Gibson ami Tommy Burns strongly object to my views. No doubt the noble art of self defence is a very valuable asset, but the difficulty is" that this particular art docs not always rank as of self defence. As soon as a young man finds he can successfully guard himself he becomes desirous of testing his powers still further, and finds ample opportunity in the prize ring, where lie develops brutality in fights which are only disgusting and at the same time lowering. Mr Andrew Gibson says men-of-warsmen have fifteen minutes every day to trv conclusions for their betterment in this direction. That is a very unfair comparison. t'neo rnen-of-warsmen are trained wholly that they mav become capable and adept in the art of defending the nation. These man can only use their powers when called upon by their country, and not one of them would fall to the extent of exhibiting himself in a prize ring. This is the exception to the rule. He also mentions that boxing is taught in schools. I say more shame! for it only encourages ragging and ill-feeling amongst the boys, and the top noteher hounds down the others. If fencing, tennis, la crosse and plenty of .Sandow work were given instead, the boys would -benefit by it. Jloth writers also attack the game of football, but I should like to mention that the brutality in :his game has been much discussed, and it is only of recent years that steps have been taken to rectify this fault, which was found to be killing the game. Boxing will require to Ik? handled in like manner, to preserve the art of self-defence as against the brutality of fighting. Tommy Burns was stuck up on election night by three hoodlums, and he showed them he had been trained by Jem Mace. What a reputation ! Now, if he had been a person of non-fighting fame, he would have raised his hat and walked on as a gentleman, and not put himself on the same level as a so-called hoodlum. I hope Tommy Burns will take this adrice and keep his three sons away from such degrading sport. He advocates the giving of a prize for such competitions. Would he like to see one of his own sons earning a prize in such a manner? —I am, etc., LOVEH OF SPORT. Timaru. Dec. Bth.

.1. H. Skipper, Waratah, Albury, writes on the first letter of " Lover of Sport," condemning in strong terms that correspondent's condemnation of boxing. He says: "I am a boxer, and have had over twenty battles in Australia, and never lost any of that skin and huir that " Lo%'er of Sport" speaks of. If boxing is such a low game, how is it that such notable men as Lord Lonsdale, Baron Rothschild, Father Vanghan, the Governor of \ ictoria, and the like, grace the ring with their presence 'i Tommy Burns is giving exhibitions in Sydney now, and is handing the money to the poor of ...ydney to buy Christmas presents with, and perhaps that is more than "'Lover •if SjMirt " has ever done. In conclusion, .Mr Skipper asks that his letter be published " for the sake of the grand old English pastime.'' The portions of his letter omitted are jx-rsonal attacks ujKm an anonymous correspondent and therefore futile. —Ed. T.H.