THE CHAMPION MILE RACE.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2515, 1 May 1882, Page 3

THE CHAMPION MILE RACE.

I PBEBS ASSOCIATION THLBQRAM. ( DUNEDIN, April 20. The mile race for the championship of New Zealand and £SO a side, between W. J. Burke, of Dunedin, and Eagan, of Christchurch, came off to-day on tho Caledonian ground, in tho presence of nearly 2000 people. Burke being the local man, waa the popular favorite, but amongst the knowing people Fagan was fancied, and as much as 2 to 1 was laid in hie favo r . The result was a complete surprise, for, at any rate, a close contest was expected. Burke cook the lead at a good paos, and held it for the first lap, of which there were five, to the mile, when Fagan deprived him of it. Not more than another lap had been dene, however, when Fagan began to labor, but ho kept his lead by a couple of yards or less till three laps were over. Burke then got level with him entering the last lap, and just as the race was expected to become exciting Burke put on the pace. Fagan answered for ton or twenty yards, but immediately got info difficulties, and Burke left him ea-iiy. Not another thirty yards had been got over when the Christchurch man, already ten or fifteen yards behind, stopped altogether, and Burke did the last three hundred yards alone. There was great enthusiasm at Burke's victory. He is of unquestioned honesty, and has an almost unbeaten record locally during many years for

long distance events. O’Brien, however, the Australian champion, was able to run clean away from him, although ho was altogether out of training at that time. This had a great deal to do with Fagan being the favorite on the present occasion. The time was 4tnin. 36 2-sth sec. The race was run on a cinder track, which, on account of the recent rains, was a little heavy.