AUSTRALIAN LADIES' PEDESTRIAN MARCH.

Kumara Times, Issue 1041, 31 January 1880, Page 2

AUSTRALIAN LADIES' PEDESTRIAN MARCH.

An Australian paper thus describes “The Australian Ladies’ Pedestrian Tournament,” in the old Exhibition Building, Sydney : Sketches of the costumes to be worn by the women were submitted to the Municipal Council, and advertisements solemnly assured the public that the

‘dresses of the ladies were to extend nearly to their feet. The “ tournament" commenced at ten o’clock on i’riday sight, and consisted of an effort ‘on the. part of eight women to see which of them could walk the greatest distance in 2-t hours. By half-past hine o’clock on Saturday night, half-an-hour before the competition was to terminate, the Exhibition Building was Crowded. At this time four women, with lack-luhtte eyes and swollen limbs, foot-sore, jaded> and utterly broken down, were toiling along the walking path. In one case the woman was absolutely dragging herself along by the ropes that bounded the track. Men talked by thfe side of the women encouraging them in their task by the scientific methods cotnmoii in such brute contests. Not afew of the spectators expressed their disgust at the whole affair; numbers quitted the building j but a majority of the greasyhaired, flash-Clotbes-weaiing class evidently enjoyed themselves, and gave expression to tbeir delight and their opinions" On the “ points ” of the competitors in language that combined the lowest Sporting slang with the “ argot ” of the professional bully. The Beene Was wholly brutal and disgusting.

For reinaihdet of hOWs see last page,