MISCELLANEA.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 83, 22 January 1863, Page 4

MISCELLANEA.

Exciting Match.—Miles v. Time.— This match, in which J. Miles, of Brixton, had under, taken to walk 21 miles in three hours, for a bet of £SO to£2s, cameoffouSept.29, at Garratt-laue, Wandsworth. Miles attempted this feat for a bet of £SO on August 11, on the same ground, but failed iu accomplishing it, having given up after walking 16 miles and 200 yards in 2 hours 22 min., 15 see., when he fell from exhaustion and had to be carried from tho ground. This defeat was attributed by bis backer to nothing but want of condition, and on his expressing that opinion publicly, W. Price, the Hackney Wick M.C., offered to bet 2 to 1 that be could not do it. This was at once accepted and preparations made for tho match. The day was much against a man performing such an extraordinary feat, and the rain that fell on the previous day and in the early part of that set apart for the match had rendered the course iu some places very heavy. The time set for Miles to commence his task was half-past 2 o’clock, but from the continued downpouring of the rain it was nearly 3 ere ho came on the ground, when all tho preliminaries being arranged, Miles dashed off in beautiful style. The first 7 miles were completed, and that with the most perfect ease to himself, in 57 min. 5 sec., 14 miles in 1 hour 57 min. 20 sec., and 19 were done in 2 hours 42 min. 27 sec. The excitement now became intense, for Miles, who, during the 15th, 16th, and 17th miles had fallen off very much, rallied considerably, and his backers took freely the odds offered ot 5 and some instances 6tol to Time. While walking tiie 20feti mile, he asked several times for water to be thrown over him, and his attendant sprinkled it plentifully over his head, shoulders, loins, and the calves of his legs, which by this time were completely covered with a thick crust of dirt; but so gamely did he walk that at the finish of this distance, which was done in 2 hours 51 min. 45 see., as little as 3 to one was taken about his accomplishing his task. As he entered on the 21st and last mile, the watches denoted that he had only 8 min. 15 sec. to complete it in, and as he came on walking almost as strongly as at first, and again putting on, or at least trying to put on, a spurt, the layers of the odds looking anything but rosy. His attendants were now most assiduous and they were joined by several of those within tho enclosure, who accompanied him the last mile and as ho strode on, ho was greeted with the most enthusiastic cheers ; and now ho commenced the 84th and last lap, and unfalteringly he struggled on, dashing ahead as though his life depended on the result, and as he rounded the bottom of the course, cries arose of “He wins ! lie wins!” This so urged him on, that ho made a most determined spurt, but when about 25 yards from home, the cry of “time” arose from the lips of the referee and thus was the gallant Miles defeated by a few seconds only (according to the referee, 10 seconds). This performance, done as it was in tho midst of a pelting rain, and the atmostphere close almost to faintness, stamps Miles as one of the best (if not tho very best) walkers ever known, and doubtless his friends will give him another chance, as it is confidently thought that on a fine day, and the ground in good order, he would accomplish tho extraordinary feat. —Home News, Oct. 27. A Volunteer under Eiee.— The Lyttelton Times of the 10th December tells tho following amusing little story:—“We remember bearing some time ago of an accident happening to a Volunteer of the Hon. Artillery Corps iu London, caused by the explosion of the cartridges in his front man’s cartouche box, owing to its having been made the receptacle for a pipe, whilst still alight. Government has, however, since then, so improved the making and packing of cartridges that it is scarcely possible for more than one to explode at a time, should a spark by chance fall among a number. The effect of this was illustrated a lew days ago, iu one of the Christchurch companies, iu a very ludicrous manner. The corps, under tho command of the Adjutant and an officer, was out for target practice, the ammunition was dealt round in brown paper packages, and a member (who has already obtained a notoriety for missing the butt, to which a haystack is but an infant) placed his quantum in tho breast pocket of his jumper, also placing his lighted pipe in tho same receptacle when called upon to “ fall in.” While proceeding en route by fours, a sudden explosion occurred in the ranks, followed by a second and third, which effectually dispersed rank and file, leaving our hero literally beside himself with fright, and seemingly endeavouring to run away from himself. Cries of “ take oil’ your jumper ” somewhat recalled him, and in approved fashion he succeeded, while sustaining a hot fire from the enemy, in pulling the back of the jumper over his head —unluckily, however, he had forgotten to unbutton the neck and wrists. The tableau now became most amusing, officers and men outvying in laughing, though none dare approach. With his head in a sack of combustibles, and capering frantically, our friend succeeded in freeing all but his wrist, aud in desperation flung the smoking garment from him. Not, however, to be done, the jumper, still fast to bis wrist, caused a climax by returning for a farewell embrace, twining round bis nock, and saluting him with another bang, and again breathing defiance when thrown to the ground. Weary and exhausted with the terrible conflict, yet all unwounded, our hero now falteringly suggested that lie had better go home : the Adjutant thought so too.” - Captain Ceacroft, R.N., has been appointed Companion of the Baih.-Illusfrated London Netvs, 2oln OcL.

The Shortest Road to the Lunatic Asylum.—Our Sydney contemporary, with the never-sleeping eye who chronicles the doings of the heroes, animal and biped, of the ‘ turf,’ the ‘ cock-pit,’ and the ‘ ring,’ though more at home on those kindred topics than on others, yet occasionally does utter an observation, such as the following, almost axiomatic in its truth. Just hear him with infinite feeling describe “ The shortest road to the Lunatic Asylum”— Bg an editor; let the Devil be waiting for copy; sit down to write an article, and get a few sentences done. Then let a loafing acquaintance drop in and begin to tell you stories and the gossip of the town; and let him sit, and sit, and sit. That is the Quickest way that we can think of to go raving distracted mad.” Thu Indian Bunker. —Deerfoot has been exposed. He was supposed to have beaten some of the swiftest runners in England, and large sums were paid only to see him run. A man named Jackson, however, also a runner, sued Martin, proprietor of the <! Human Circus,” for wages due, and it came out in evidence that Deerfoot’s victory was always secure. Good runners were paid to be beaten, the proprietor of the circus telling them by signals in what order to reach the goal. It did not appear that Deerfoot was a party to this device, but it is pleasant to know that it'did not pay Mr. Martin having been compelled to close his circus and ask for time from his creditors. The Judge required 'time to consider whether a claim for wages to run false races could possibly be allowed. Mr. .Gold win Smith. —Mr. Gold win Smith is a very unwise person. The other day he was wanting to give up Gibraltar simply because the cession was right, and now, in an answer to Mr. Merivale’s views’ 1 on emigration, he affirms that the convicts once sent to Virginia were “the worthy progenitors of that portentous incarnation of heathen hard-heartedness and lust, the great Slave Power, whose advent certain classes in this country, out of their exceeding love of liberty, are welcoming with jubilant ecstacy into the civilised and Christian world.” These are not the principles just now in favor with “ good society.”