GO-AS-YOU-PLEASE PEDESTRIAN MATCH.

Kumara Times, Issue 2901, 15 February 1886, Page 2

GO-AS-YOU-PLEASE PEDESTRIAN MATCH.

The eight hours’ go-as-you-pleaae pedestrian match between Q. J. Haylett, of Greymouth, and T. Johnston, of Brunnerton, for £25 a-side, which commenced in the Theatre Royal at half-past two o’clock on Saturday afternoon, was brought to an unfortunate termination just near the last hour, and when any interest in the affair was beginning to manifest itself, by Haylett slipping and being internally injured thereby, and, after going twice round ibe course, finding himself unable to prolong the contest. There was a good supply of sawdust on the course, and twentynine times round the course (29 “laps,” as they are called) made exactly a mile. Messrs Ward Holroyd and David Moore acted as umpires, and two markers were engaged to chalk the kps on a black board as the pedestrians arrived in front of the stage. Starting at a smart walking pace, the two men kept together, Johnston in front, Haylett immediately behind him, and the two first miles were covered, occasionally at a trot, in 20 minutes. At the end of the first hour Haylett took the lead from Johnston, and the first seven miles were gone over in 1 hour 15 minutes. At 4.30 p.m., two hours from starting, 12 miles 7 laps were recorded, Haylett having in the meantime gained a lap. This order continued for another hour, when both men left the coarse, and partook of a little refreshment for about four minutes, and shortly afterwards Johnston made up the lost lap and got on even terms with Haylett. The 20 miles were covered in 3 hours 20 minutes. Johnston had a slip aud fell sometime during the afternoon and again at about seven o’clock but did not sustain any injury. Another stoppage of three minutes for refreshment at 7.30 p.m. Between eight o’clock and half-past Johnston put on another spurt, and headed Haylett two laps. The last-named appeared to be waiting patiently for the last hour or half-hour to approach, before making a determined effort! Boih men seemed fresh, and going well within themselves. At about 9.25 p.m., being then in their 39th mile, Haylett slipped and fell, and Johnston succeeded in adding another lap to his lead. He was up again quickly, hut he had only proceeded two or three times round to the same place when

Haylett, in endeavouring to prevent Johnston getting the inside for a fourth lap, again slipped, and, in falling, his arm caught between the guard rope and where it joined the back of a form ; he was thus swung round on to the form, failing heavily, and striking the corner of the seat just below the region of the heart. He got up with difficulty, walked round the course twice, but apparently greatly distressed, and then scrambled on to the stage and sat clown. On being questioned Haylett stated that it was his own fault that he fell, that he was unable to proceed, and therefore must yield the match to Johnston. Johnston, we understand, generously offered to allow the match to go for a draw; but Haylett said that it was fairly won by Johnston, and as they had now won a match each, they might meet for the conquering one on another occasion. And so what promised to be an interesting and exciting finish came to an abrupt termination at 9.27 p.m., when just entering upon the eighth and last hour.— Johnston, 38 miles 23 laps ; Haylett, 38 miles 19 laps j being an average of about five and a-half miles an hour.

Haylett was conveyed in an express to his lodgings at Mr J. S. Pearn’s hotel, in Main street, and had so far recovered yesterday as to take his departure home to Greymouth, accompanied by Johnston, in yesterday’s afternoon tram. It will probably necessitate his abstention from his laborious occupation at the Dispatch Foundry for a week or two before he resumes work. He is a man close on 6ft. tall, dark complexion, rather spare but wiry build, as must be manifest from the fact of his possessing a broken arm, a broken collar-bone, and broken ribs, by being thrown from a horse during his boyhood. He is a professional walker, having taken some fifteen or sixteen prizes for walking in Victoria. He has immense strides, too; and for five consecutive laps on Saturday, Johnston had to run to keep up with Haylett walking. Johnston is a well-built man of sft. Bin., fair complexioned. His forte is evidently endurance in running. It is probable another match will fake place if Haylett sufficiently recover.

The attendance of the public was very small; though perhaps it would have been different the last hour, if it had come to a real contest.