WALKING MATCH.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1883, 6 March 1880, Page 2

WALKING MATCH.

Pursuant to announcement, the walking match between Penticost and Swan, for £SO a side, came off in the Oddfellows’ Hall last evening—that is, a start was made at the hour agreed _ upon, ten o’clock, Mr Andrews, M.H.S., being present during the first part of the evening and keeping tally. Swan, who only recently arrived m Christchurch, is a Swede of low stature but exceedingly well proportioned and firmly knit. He accompanied Scott for some distance in his walk against time at the Eink some time since, and was at that time very stout, and not in good condition for a pedestrian feat of the kind, but since then he has pulled himself down considerably, his trainer being Mr Grainger, also an old ped. On entering the Hall last evening Swan appeared in capital condition, and created a decidedly favorable impression. Mr Charles Bowley, an amateur of considerable celebrity, was Penticost’s trainer, and his charge appeared also in good condition. At ten o’clock precisely a start was made, (the men walking at the rate of six miles an hour, and during the first half hour Swan passed his opponent four times. It was very evident, however, from the first, that each had carefully considered his own line of- action. Penticost appeared to be husbanding his strength from the beginning; whilst Swan had apparently determined to make as much use as possible of the early part of the race, and by putting some distance between himself and his competitor, to have a certain amount of capital to work on. This at least appeared to be the most reasonable interpretation of his action, the speed at which he started off_ being altogether too fast to last under the circumstances. _ _ The two men continued during the night, but it became sensible as time advanced that Penticost’s feet would not last, and toWards morning it was quite a powerful effort to walk at all. At seven he forsook the ring, having dona 40 miles and 12 laps in the nine hours. Swan, on the other hand, who had only taken two short rests, was as fresh as paint this morning. In twelve hours from the etort, he had walked 55 miles 14 laps, and at half-past one o’clock his register was 70 miles 12 laps. He was then walking at the rate of over five miles tn hour, and, although looking rather sleepy, did not appear at all distressed. So far, Swan’s performance has been something out of the common. The match will terminate this evening at ten o’slock, and what appeared to . be complete and eatisfactory arrangements have been made for keeping a correct tally.