THE AUSTRALIAN PEDESTRIANS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2469, 6 March 1882, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN PEDESTRIANS.

The three pedestrians—Messrs O'Brien, Freeman, and O'Connor—who started from Australia a short time ago with the intention it was said of visiting England via New Zealand and America, held a meeting on Saturday afternoon, at Lancaster Park, when a well arranged programme of events was gone through. The attendance was hardly oommensurate with the merits of the performers, only about 400 persons being present. The meeting, however, was very successful in other respects. The different events were well oontested, the utmost order prevailed throughout, and the public were unanimous in their expressions of admiration of the performances of the three Australians, who indeed acquitted themselves in a manner which would seem to justify their somewhat ambitious desire to try conclusions with the champion peds of the old country. O'Brien in particular showed splendid form in the mile race, his time being 4 23—the fastest yet recorded in New Zealand, and he was by no means pushed. Freeman's running, especially in the 350 yards race, was also much admired, while O'Connor, who is not a stranger to New Zealand, having formerly lived in Timaru, gave a grand display of genuine heel and toe walking. The Australians carried off the first prizes in all the races in which they ran. Nevertheless, the different events were finished in a manner whion reflected credit on the judgment of the handicapper, and gave satisfaction to the spectators. The visitors received every assistance from the local peds, and also from gentlemen who are generally conspicuous in encouraging and promoting gatherings of the sort in Ghristchurch. Mr S. P. Andrews was handioapper and starter, Messrs A. M. Ollivier, Bobinson and Baker were the judges, and Mr J. Campbell officiated as timekeeper. The following are particulars of the racing :

Handicap—l2o, 220, and 350 yards; decided by points 5,3, and 1. First heat—l2o yards. Freeman, scratch 1 Konny, 11 yards 2 Penticoßt, 12 yards 3 Wade and Lyons also ran. This was almost a dead heat between the first three men, bat Freeman managed to breast the tape first. Time, 12see. Second heat—l2o yards. Butler, 15 yards 1 Hulston, 3 yards 2 Purchase and Laurence also ran. Butlsr won easily. Time, 11 9-10th sec. Final heat—l2o yards. Butler, 15 yards 1 Hulston, 3 yards 7 rr;„ Kenny. 11 yards j - lie Freeman also ran, but could not succeed in catching his men. Butler won by about a yard. Time, 11 4-sth Bee. The tie was run off subsequently, and was won by Hulston. Handicap Walk—2 miles. O'Connor, scratch 1 Lawrence, 250 yards 2 Wilson (150yds) and Pentecost (250yds) also started. The former came in second, but was disqualified for breaking, and the latter did not persevere in the race after the first lap and a half, when he was passed by O'Connor. At the end of the second lap Wilson took first plaoe from Lawrence, O'Connor being only about fifty yards behind the latter. Opposite the stand the Australian put on the pace, and, passing the second man, commenced to overhaul Wilson rapidly, keeping company with him, however, until again opposite the stand, when he assumed the lead, and at the end of the next lap he was about fifty yards ahead. He continued to increase bis lead until the finish, winning in front of Wilson by about 150 yards, Lawrence being about the same distance behind the seoond man. Time, 14min 32 4 sths sees. Handicap—22o yards. Freeman, scratch 1 Butler, 20 yards 2

Wade and Pentecost also ran, the former taking third plaoe. In this race Freeman showed marvellous quickness at the start, being among his men almost before they had got well under way. He won easily. Time, 24 15th sees.

Handicap—22o yards. Socond heat. Hulston, 7 yards 1 Kenny, 17 yards 2 Purchase also ran. Time, 23 3-sth Bees. Final heat—22o yards. Freeman, scratch') f . Hulston, 7 yards j ne Butler, 20 yards 3 Freeman caught Hulston about sixty yards from home, but being thrown out a little in his attempt to pass Butler, was unable to ■hake the local man off. Time, 23 1 lOths sees. Freeman won the tie easily. One Mile Handicap. O'Brien, scratch 1 Cnßack, 17b yds 2 O'Connor, 50 yds 3 At the end of the first lap, Oueack'a lead had diminished to about eighty yards, and O'Brien was only a few yards behind his oountryman, whom he passed when opposite the stand half way round the second lap. He put on a spurt here, which elicited applause from the spectators, his pace and action being yery grand indeed. At the end of the lap he was within fifteen yards of Ousack, and keeping the pace going, ho passed hiß plucky little opponent at the corner before the run home, and then slacked off and won easily. O'Connor was close behind Cusack. Time, 4min 23secc. Ono Mile Base. A match for £SO a-side was run between Fagan and Woolerton, two local pedestrians. The former won easily. Time, 4min 47 3 sths see. Handicap, 350 yards. Freeman, scratch ... ... 1 Butler, 30 yds 2 Hulston, 11 yds 3 Kenny (22 yds), and Wade (25 yds), aleo competed. Freeman went past the others as if they were standing still, and had them all bcateD 100 yards from home. Hulston was about seven yards behind Butler. Time, 41 2 sths UN. This was the last evont on the programme. The result of the three-distances handicap was a* follows :—Freeman, 10 points ; Butler, 9 ; and Hulston, 7. The prizes were £5, £3, md£l.