THE CHAMPION WRESTLER.

West Coast Times, Issue 3055, 18 January 1879, Page 2

THE CHAMPION WRESTLER.

The following is a copy of the complimentary address recently presented by W. C. Kirkcaldy, Esq., President of the Caledonian Society of Otago, to J. Tyson, the champion wrestler: — " The pleasing duty now devolves on me, in my duel capacity ns Referee and as President of the Caledonian Society, to declare you Champion thrice told, and to bind round your loins the honourable insignia of the Champion Belt, so worthily held by you for the last three years against ' all comers,' and now finally won by you this day in a manly and straightforward manner. What add 9to my pleasure ia presenting the Belt, and to yours iv winning it, is the fact that, by your victory, you have done honour to New Zealand— and especially to Otago— ia that you 'have vanquished, in fair field, the best man Australia could bring forward. You also deserve credit for the prompt manner in which you responded to the first challenge — leaving your contract at Kopua, Hawke's Bay, and coming up here, at great pecuniary loss and expense, to defend the Belt ; which proves that you rightly Valued the honour of the Championship and the proud distinction of retaining and winning the Belt far above and beyond any money considerations. Money may take wings to itself and fly, but an honourable distinction honestly and fairly won endures for ever. The Belt, being now your private property, must be a source of pride to you, and will no doubt be a precious heirloom in the years to come. Sir Walter Scott— a 'Border man* — fitly introduces his leaders to a wrestling tournament in the following appropriate lines :—

" Now, clear the ring, for man to man The manly wrestlers take their stand.' "Now, what the Caledonian Society specially wishes to encourage and perpetuate by this and such like competitions is this very spirit of manliness— and I'm sure every person present on Thursday and today will agree with me that manlier wrestling has never been exhibited than that between yourself and your worthy antagonist— who was indeed 'a foeman worthy of your steel.' Your competition to-day, and the running, walking, leaping, hammer throwing, and other contests of this Scottish gatherings prove that the brave old enduring spirit is as strong, if not stronger than ever, in the hearts of Britannia's sons, and is a guarantee that, if need be, they would— . « Stand as freemen or as freemen fa* And be ' A wall of fire around New Zealand's isle'

The gold medal awarded at the Paris Exposition for dresses was for a lavender silk embroidered upon satin, with silk of the same shade.