THE ALL-ENGLAND PEDESTRIANS.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2097, 25 January 1870, Page 2

THE ALL-ENGLAND PEDESTRIANS.

The Melbourne Herald says:—After we went to press on Saturday, the number of visitors to the Melbourne Cricket ground increased to about 3000, while outside about thrice that number were collected, prevented from entering the penetralia, no doubt, by what was looked upon as an exorbitant charge for admission. The English pedestrians did not fulfil the expectations that they had created, but this may be put down to their want of condition. Topley is about two stone over his walking weight, and the other men have not as yet recovered the ill effects of a long sea voyage. In the second heat of the 170 Yards Flat Eace, the fol* lowing men started:—H. Cummins, 6 yanls; H. Wallace, 13 yards; S. Annear, 9 yards; W. C. Ashton, 13 yards. Cummins maintained the lead throughout, and won, althoughSpushed by Wallace, who obtained second place. Time, l/|sec. In the third heat A. Drake had 12 yards’ start; P. J, Hocking, 9 yards ; T. Jewitt at scratch ; C. 0. Barras, 10 yards. This was the first race in' which one of the strangers made his ap» pearance, and was therefore awaited with great excitement. From the first it was evident that the Englishman had no chance. He was only able to obtain third place, about eight yards from the winner, beating C. O. Barras. Drake landed a winner by about half-a-vard, with Hocking second. Time 17sec. The fourth heat was won by G. C. Carr, who received 9 yards; H. Libbs, with 13 yards, being second. Time, 17aec, Later in the day the four winners met for the decisive test, which resulted in Drake, Cummins, and Carr running a dead heat, and dividing the stake. The time was 16|sec., the fastest on record. For the Two Miles Handicap Walking Match there started W. Lyall (90 yards), F. Woodhouse (70 yards), G. Topley (scratch), E. Monk (300 yards), and O. Archer (260 yards). During the first three laps Woodhouse and Lyall kept together, Topley gaming slightly. As the race proceeded Topley saw that his endeavors were futile, and gave in. After a game struggle Lyall succeeded in just winning. Time, 15min. osec. Top* ley’s first round was done in Imin. 25.$ sec., and three times round in smin. For the Half-mile Handicap Flat Race the following men started :—M. Higgins, 16 yards ; G. Cronk, 22 yards ; A. E. Bird, scratch; J. Pointing, 40 yards; M. Halpin, 40 yards; J. Lupton, 45 yards. At first it was thought that Bird would carry all before him, but his admirers w r ere surprised to see him pull up after the first quarter of a mile, limping

as if he had sprained his foot. Higgins won in splendid stylo, with Cronck second. Time, Imin. 59} sec. The Two Mile Bicycle Race was won by Ilten, J. Ward second, and J. Chapman third. The One Mile Handicap was won by E. Ford at 65 yards, J. Poyting second at 90 yards. Higgins would have a good chance for this race had he not fainted at the last lap but one. Bird, who, despite his sprain, had taken his place at scratch, pulled up to offer Higgins assistance. Ford also fainted on passing the post. Time, 4min. 40sec, For the Four Miles Handicap Walking Match the following men started : —W. W. Woodhouse, 140 yards ; W. Lyall, 180 yards ; G. Topley, scratch ; W. Buck, 400 yards ; J. Ellis, 400 yards. At the ninth round Topley gave in, showing signs of great distress. Ellis and Buck soon followed his example, and the race resulted in a splendid match between Woodhouse and Lyall After a game struggle Woodhouse came in a winner, Lyall second. On entering the reserve they were greeted with cheers, and a subscription was got up to supplement the second prize.