§ SIR WILFRID LAWSONasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the report of a prize fight which, according to a statement in the "Daily Chronicle" of June 4th, took place on Epsom Downs on the '' Oaks Day," when it is said that "the combatants fought a most dogged and determined battle for upwards of an hour," until they were in a pitiable condition, "a well known and influential bookmaker officiating as referee," the attendance comprising "a host of admirers, amongst whom were included several aristocratic supporters of these once popular contests;" and, whether the police have taken, or intend to take, any steps for bringing to justice the principals in these proceedings, as well as their influential and aristocratic supporters?
§ SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT, in reply, said, that he had inquired into the matter, and the report which he had received from the Metropolitan Police was that no prize fight had taken place on Epsom Downs on the Oaks Day. Arrangements had been made for a prize fight on the Downs during the Epsom week, and the necessary steps were taken to prevent it; but the stakes were drawn the night before the Oaks. That was the history of the prize fight. But he had been informed by the Chief of the Constabulary for the county of Surrey, with whom he had also communicated on the subject, that, while the facts were as he had just stated, the story was much exaggerated. It appeared that two drunken costermongers had had a squabble which did not last for more than a few minutes.