THE GREAT PORRIDGE MATCH.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, 4 August 1880, Page 2

THE GREAT PORRIDGE MATCH.

The Sydney Bulletin says :— We have great pleasure in presenting tbe public with the portraits of tbe two champion porridge-eaters of New South Wales, James Bibby and George Penham, whose struggles at Stoker's Hall. Lambton, on the evening of the 21st, is a thins to be remembered. The men are bo h volunteers and as such duly put in an appearance at the Easter encampment at Sydney. From tbe statements of the combatants and from the report of the Newcastle Herald we learn that several hundred people paid foradmisston to the show, and, that the result was a glorious victory for Bihby, the representative for Lancashire, over Penman, the representative of Scotland (the home of Burgoo), and champion of New South Wales. The porridge was manufactured at Durham's Hotel. Seven pounds of oatmeal were used, and made eight gallons of porridge, which many (bought would not be sufficient ; but the result proved a disappointment to those who held that opinion. At eight o'clock the hall was crowded, and hundreds of people were out in tbe street. Bibby was the first to appear on the stage, and was greeted with rounds of applause, tbe band playing" See, the con* quering hero comes." Just at this time Pentnm appeared, aad it was doubtfn] which of the heroes was meant. At any rate both took the compliment and bowed their acknowledgements. Both men then stripped (to allow for expansion) and made preparations for a start, but it soon became evident to Bibby that Penman was trying to take a point of time, as several plates of porridge were handed up to the latter, who had it cooked to his liking. The articles were called for, and it was proved that he was pointing, as it was clearly shown that both men must eat out of the boiler which had been cirried on the stage. Penham insisted and Bibby resisted, and the whole thing was stopped for nearly twenty minutes. At Inst, about a dozen plates were filled ouf of the boiler ; each cne being charged with a pint properly measured. Order having been obtained, the chairman called upon the contestants to address the audience. Penman, in response, flourished litß spoon and said he would do his duty in honour of auld Scotland. Mr Bibby said : • Ladies and gentlemen, I am here to contest against the King of PiFe, and the champion of. New South Wales. I was bound to do it, to stop his bragging. Penman challenged me before : but he wanted me to shave my bead, and. he knevv'l wouldn't do that. He then challenged New South Wales, and King, of Mjutland took him nt, but that gentle*, mtfri did not come forward, and so I was bound lo take him up. I can sup porridge, and I think I can beat him. at least I'll try." (Loud applause.) The band then played, " Kere we suffer grief and pain," and punctually at tvrenty.five minutes pa9t eight the judge cried ' go ' and both men set to ; Penman caught the water first, and had considerable advantage in 'the first plate, but that blocked him. B«bby kept on most determinedly, and looked as if his salvation depended upon getting the porridge out of sight aa soon as possible. He finished six plates, in twenty minutes, and then rested on his oars, as Penman did not seem able to tackle his second. Matters stood thusly, until time was called, and Bibby declared the winner by 6 to 1. Bibby only supped three quarts, but in returning thank 9 he said that if pushed he could ' scoff ' as much more if necessity required. He said he had beaten the champion of two countries, and the Mait* land people could now send on their King. During this feast of reason the audience behaved themselves in a most outrageous manner. They broke the seats and demolished the room in their eager efforts to get a view, and it is a miracle that some serious calamity did not result through the upsetting of lamps or other accident. The winner is jubilant over his victory, which has added lustre to the illustrious name of Bibby. His victory over the King of Fife at por» ridge i 9 as important as the victory of his relative over the Frenchman in the wrestling match at New York.