A Feat of Strength.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1664, 18 June 1875, Page 3

A Feat of Strength.

A strange wager was made today in Messrs Hunter and Nolan's sale yard, in Durliamstreet. In the course of some chaff two men named John Brown and fhomas Menzies, well known for tbeir physical strength, bracked themselves to draw a dray with 22 cwt. in it round what is called the trial trip, that is to say from the southern gate of the yard down the hill into Queen-street, up Durham-street, and into the yard again, bringing the load to the place from which it started. About 253 depended on, whether the Jfeat, which impossible, could be accomplished or not. The cart was loaded, and the task began. Out of the yard and down the hill and even along'j^Queen-street the strength required was nothing wonderful, but now came the tug of war. Up Durham-street is a steep incline, and the men had to exert themselves like horses to get their load along. Meantime, over 100 persons had collected, and were thoroughly excited over the result, repeatedly cheering the men on when they appeared to lag. Brown pulled in the shafts, and Menzies turned one of the wheels Their advance was thus rather zigzag, but sure. At lentgtb, after stopping for breathing about four times, the dray was landed in the required spot, and a ringing cheer greeted the accomplishment of the herculean feat. Neither man is much absve middle age, but their strength is unquestionably very great. The money was paid over by the loser with cheerfulness. The magnitude of the feat must be apparent when it is considered that the load is a'very fair one for a horse.