GREAT PEDESTRIAN FEAT.

Dunstan Times, Issue 580, 30 May 1873, Page 3

GREAT PEDESTRIAN FEAT.

From our Christchurch files we learn that the extraordinary pedestrian feat of walking 1000 miles in IOuO consecutive hours was commenced on Wednesday, the 14th of May, the pedestrian being a Mr. Wiltshire. He is, comparatively speaking, an amateur, and has only been about six months resident in the colony, during which time he has followed his calling as a platelayer on the rail way. The walking course, is in Mr. W. Wilson's paddock, iu Madras street, and forms four sides of a quadrangle, which has been fenced in for the purpose, and protected from the weather by a roof of pailings The course itself is laid down with tan, which We think is a mistake as from its loose nature and uneven surface it materially adds to the labor of the walker. An ashen course, similar to the one in the Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s grounds, would have been preferable. The distance round is a trifle over 200 yards, and the mile is accomplished in eight laps and 1334 yards. The method adopted by the pedestrian is to commence walking at the commencement of the last quarter of the hour, and the first quarter of the succeeding one, and he has then one hour and a half to rest, little enough considering the arduous nature of his task. This system, however, he did not commence until the first three miles had been accomplished, commencing the first mile at 8 p.in,, time, I'2min. 3dsec. ; the second mile at 0, time, llmin. SOsec. ; and the third at 10, time, lOmin. 15 see. Tne fourth mile was commenced at a quarter to 12, time llmin., and the fifth, when we left, at 12.15., time, 12min. Although Mr. Wiltchire has not walked for a lengthened period, and pursued his occupation up to Saturday last. He has on one occasion distinguished himself for endurance and pluck, having in 1809, walked 800 miles iu 330 hours, at Wedens. bury, in Staffordshire He is a man of the middle size, powerfully built, aad has a free style of getting over the ground ; and is very sanguine of being able to accomplish the 1000 miles within the stipulated time. Mr. Bourgeois and Captain Meredith have been appointed time-keepers, the former during the night, and the latter undertaking dutyin the day. Every convenience has been afforded for the comfort of the walker during his hours of spelling, and the quadrangle is lighted at night so that he can bo scon all round the course. Should the feat he successfully performed it will be for the third time in the colonies ; having been done twice in Victoria, first by a man named MTdear, and then by a female pedestrian, the latter, a Mrs. Douglas, icpoating it iu England.