RECORD BREAKERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2181, 4 May 1908, Page 1

RECORD BREAKERS.

CHAMPION CLUB-SWINGING. MARVELLOUS PIANO-PLAYING. Press Association. WELLINGTON, May 3. Two unique events concluded at tho Theatre Royal at 11.2 o’clock last night, when T. Burrows finished a wonderful feat of endurance, and Charles Parnell also established his title to fame. Burrows, who is the world’s champion club-swinger, started at 9 a.m. on Tlmfsday to eclipse his ■former record of 61 hours 46mins continuous club-swinging and that of 62 hours held by J. Griffiths, of Newcastle. Twenty-four hours after Burtows commenced, Parnell, who is the leader of the orchestra at the Theatre Royal, began an attempt to beat his own record put up at Sydney of 30 hours continuous piano-playing. Burrows and Parnell finished together last evening before a very large and enthusiastic audience, Burrows having thus swung clubs for 62 hours 2 minutes, while Parnell had played the piano for 38 hours 2 minutes. Burrows was 'presented with a Maori tiki and a set of greenstone sleeve-links subscribed for by admirers, and Parnell received a gold watch. The presentations were made by the Mayor.

In reference to the champion clu'bswinger, a writer in the “Post” recently said: Wihon a mail thinks of Tom Burrows lie 'pictures him as a man who has clubs for breakfast, dinner, and tea, and supper—an athletic clubbing all day, just as lie breathes all day. In Adelaide recently ho swung the wood for 61 hours 40 minutes. He did not do this for fun, nor merely to fill in time. He had a purpose—it was to demonstrate the power and glory of the clubs. It has been alleged that the energy devoted to club-swinging could be better spent on the State cabbage patch, or that the long-handled shovel, the pick, or the hoc should take the place of the club, which sows not though it spins in plenty. 'Mr. Burrows naturally sees in the club salvation for humanity. lie declares that hie record makes the public interested in tho club, and induce men and women to improve their health by pleasant exercise. “Let them have five or ten minutes with the clubs every day,” lie says in effect, “and there will be no weak chests.” llis prophetic eye sees a-race of great-limbed folk if the masses will only dote a little upon the club; ho counsels humanity to lean upon tho club.

After the feats, lie states, he is conscious of nervous, rather than muscular strain. His forearms feel as if they had been working, and so do tho trapezius. His aim is to give all the muscles an innings; he rests somo of them while the others have a treat; ho distributes the burden of the clubs as evenly as lie can. While his bands are working behind his back or thereabouts men feed him with a spoon or fork. Solids lie does not take much; soups and jellies he rather favors while lie .is breaking bis own records. At the close of bis . last “break” lie weighed 71b less tlmn when lie started.

Mr. Burrows first brought the club into prominence in London in 1893, with one swing of eight hours'fifteen minutes. “One of the most remarkable feats of physical endurance over seen,” was tho “Daily Telegraph’s” tribute to the effort, and since that time the swinger lias progressed. Ho lias passed 61 hours; will he get to 610 or 6100 or even higher? Nowadays he lias a rival in Griffiths for tbo world’s supremacy. The two aro matched for £IOO in Adelaide at the end of June.

While in Wellington, Mr. Burrows will show the various movements possible with the clubs, and may try to surpass bis Adelaide record, but whether lie makes tin’s attempt will depend on the state of his health.