PEDESTRIANISM.

Globe, Volume V, Issue 598, 19 May 1876, Page 3

PEDESTRIANISM.

AUSTRALIA V. ENGLAND. The Maitland of the Sydney Morning Herald of May 8 furnishes the fo ■ lowing account of the foot race between Wats-on and Hewitt “Thcrecame oil this afternoon the race of two hundred yards, for £2OO, between Frank S. Hewitt, the English champion runner —who beat Fred Davies Stone, the American champion, a few days ago in Sydney—and Robert P. Watson, generally known as Watson of Kcono. Why he is so called I am not aware, as he was born at Londonderry, came to the colony when quite a child, and was brought up in West Maitland. The men have been in active training for the last fix wc*-ks —Yeomans having Hewitt in hand, and 1 'union Watson, and during the present week they have been taking their daily spins with their various supporters and friends in close attendance, Hewitt on the racecourse, and Watson on Hclmore road, the scene of his former

triumph over J. M. Watson. Pab'ic opinion seemed decidedly to favor Wateoa, especially the miners, who would hear nothing said in opposition to their pet—Watson. The Mayor of West Maitland, Mr H. S. Badgery, was appointed referee, and Mr Brunker i the starter. Two strips of turf had been 1 carefully cut away for the prescribed distance, eich separated by a rope to prevent fouling. It was arranged the men were to tore for the choice of running and the end to start from, which w<ts won by Hewitt. There was probably nearly fiOOO people on the ground, who became rather impatient as the light commenced to fall, and the mm made no sign of business until past five o'clock, when on account of the wet weather it became very dark. There is no doubt that the Maitland man was in splendid form, and looked the winner all over—he had the elastic step of an athlete; bnt Hewitt appeared rather pile and anxious, was evidently nervous, and had not the condition of Watson. There was not mnch betting A few frantic individuals were screaming out 70 to 40 on Watson, and as the starting time drew near increased the inducement by offering 700 to 300, and at las: 10 to 5, but they could nojb find parties willing to back the opposite side of the question. At*aho-t twenty minutes past five, the men, after a couple of feints, effected a start at the report of a pistol, when the Englishman, with his peculiar method of darting off, gained the advantage at the jump, and led by about three of four yards for about 150 yards, when the Maitland man came up with a rush like a racehorse, collared and passed his opponent, winning by nearly a yard. Chronometer time—2o l-10th seconds."