YOUNG SCOTT AT THE QUEEN’S THEATRE, DUNEDIN.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 339, 14 July 1875, Page 4

YOUNG SCOTT AT THE QUEEN’S THEATRE, DUNEDIN.

The Otago Guardian of July 12th gives the following account of the feat of walking 100 miles under twenty-hours performed by Young Scott in the Queen’s Theatre, Dunedin : On Saturday afternoon this boy, who is only 13 years old, finished his 100th mile at seven minutes to 5 o’clock, thus having performed a feat which, to the best of our belief, has never been attempted in England or elsewhere by one so young. We believe the match was undertaken by the patrons of the lad during the finish of Edwards’ late performance at the Drill-shed, when doubts were expressed by several gentlemen among the spectators as to whether a similar performance could be carried through successfully by any other athlete in New Zealand. All doubts are now set at rest by the plucky and genuine manner in which Scott went through his trying ordeal, and beat Edwards’ time by two clear minutes, on a course very much smaller, and decidedly far more disadvantageous to a pedestrian, as the walker had to go up a considerable incline on one side, and down a similar one on the other, and also to turn very sharp corners —no easy task when going at the rate of over five miles an hour, as he did during the first 25 miles. There cannot be the slightest doubt as to the genuineness of thereat, as there were a number of heavy wagers laid on “the clock,” and the backers of time watched the whole performance narrowly from th e very start, thus affording the very best guarantee that the distance was covered. The course, too, was accurately laid out according to measurements made by Mr G, S. Duncan, 0.8., who made it exactly 56yds 2ft 3in in circumference, or 31 laps to the mile. The “ walkist,” however, had in point of fact to go a little over the distance, as owing to the forms projecting in places, he had to make a detour to avoid collisions. The boy came to the post in excellent condition, being in high spirits, and confident of success ; a state of mind which no doubt materially assisted him when he began to feel fatigued during the last 25 miles. The lad was carefully waited on by Austin, who had trained him for this, and for his other races at the Caledonian Grounds, where he took everyone by surprise by beating M'Gregor, Campbell, and other good walkers, when he first came out, A number of amateurs also accompanied him during the major part of the way, and helped to keep him up to the pace necessary to make good time. When 50 miles had been completed, and Scott was having half-an-hour’s rest, he was examined by Dr Bakewell, who very kindly volunteered his services in case of the boy breaking down at all, staying very patiently nearly all the time of the performance. Young Scott, however, was still in excellent spirits, and not at all fatigued, as many people (who had seen Edwards’ condition at 50 miles) thought he would be. His feet, too, were quite free from blisters, and not at all swollen or sore. The next 25 miles were walked very gamely, the boy not appearing distressed, although the pace was beginning to steady him a bit, owing to his having so few rests; only one hour, in fact, having been spent off the boards. At a quarter to 10 o’clock in the morning he completed his 76th mile, and retired to his dressing-room for an hour’s rest and refreshment. At this stage he felt very sleepy, and great pains had to be taken to prevent him falling asleep, as there was no time to have sufficient sleep to refresh him. At a quarter to 11 he started again on his monotonous journey, feeling rather distressed, and walking somewhat unsteadily ; but after a few rounds he increased his pace, and began to warm to his work, and kept up a good steady pace, covering 80 miles in 19h 2min. Another 10 miles were accounted for in 21h 15min, the boy walking gamely and strongly. At the 96th mile he was two minutes behind Edwards’ time, but on Austin telling him of it and encouraging him, he roused himself up, and began to “ bind up each corporal agent to the terrible feat,” and succeeded in gaining back two minutes in one mile —no trifling matter after going 95 miles. After doing this, his legs began to get cramped, and considerable doubts were entertained as to his being able to pull through within time. However, after having taken a prescription supplied by Dr Bakewell, and rested for 2min, he was handed down, from the stage and set going again. He had now only three more mUes to go, ond the excitement began to be very great, as he was up to his time, and going stronger than ever, the prospect of winning seeming to give him fresh life. At two miles from home the little hero began to increase the pace, doing the 99 th mile in llmin 15sec, and putting on a fine spurt, completed the 100th mile, almost flying round the course, and breasted the tape within lOmin 45sec, thus beating Edwards’ time by 2min for the 100 miles, and his last mile by 2 min 15sec. This performance, done, as it was, under great difficulties, such as smallness and steepness of the course, and (during part of the time) closeness of the atmosphere, undoubtedly stamps young Scott as the premier ibpy-athlete of the world, no other boy having, 4 far as we can learn, ever done such a feat. be no doubt that the indomitable resoluiiqn and pluck of the boy, combined with earful training, enabled him tp pull through successfully, and finish, as hi did, very fresh, considering the ordeal he had gone through. We are happy to learn that he slept well on Saturdsy night, and, contrary

to all expectations, got up on Sunday in the possession of a hearty appetite. During the day he walked about the streets, and altogether seems to be none the worse. Messrs Steele and Keogh, owing to the gameness displayed by the lad, have very generously remitted the rent of the Queen’s Theatre, and a number of gentlemen intend making him a handsome present. When the successful pedestrian was conveyed away in a cab, he was heartily cheered by several hundred people, who were assembled outside the Theatre waiting to see him come out. Dr Bakewell, who was very careful in examining young Scott, informed us that the temperature of his blood was almost the same at the finish as it was at the start, namely, 100; and bis pulse varied from 86 to 110, while his respiration was easy throughout. The following times were taken during the race;—s miles, 68min; 10 miles, Ih 58min; 15 miles, 2h 59min; 20 miles, 3 h 58min; 25 miles, 4h 69min; 35 miles, 7h 38min; 60 miles, lOh 52min; 65 miles, 12h 34min; 60 miles, 13h 45min; 65 miles, 14h 31min; 70 miles, 15h 36min; 75 miles, 16h 34min; 80 miles, 19h 2min; 85 miles, 20h 16min; 90 miles, 21h 15min; 100 miles, 23h 53min. These, of course, include all the rests and stoppages.