WIRE-WALKING EXTRAORDINARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIII, Issue 158, 2 July 1878, Page 4

WIRE-WALKING EXTRAORDINARY.

[From the Sydney Morning Herald, June 10.] Since Mr. L'Estrauge crbated a senBation by walking across ao inlet of Middle Harbor on a high rope some months ago, funambulists of various degrees of excellence have become so numerous here that rope-walking has to a great extent lost its attraction. This, in all probability, is in consequence of the operation having very little that Jb graceful about it. It is only when a rope-walker intimates that he will execute his feats in such a way that he runs great risk of losing his life that anything like a crowd will muster to see bis performances. Ooe of these thrilling entertainments took place on Saturday last, in which there was the novelty of two persons risking their lives simultaneously. The occurence had been contemplated by the pablic for several days past with considerable interest, as it was said to bave arisen out of a wager of £200 a side between Mr J. Perkins, representing this colony in wire-walking, and Mr. Carl Grand, who represented Victoria in the same art. The bet, whether bona fide or not, was decided at Mossman's Bay, one of tboee parts of the harbor moat celebrated for picturesqueness. Two wires, eaoh about three, quarters of an inch io diameter, were stretched over the water from trees amongst some rocka, and stayed in the nsual manner. The lengths of tbe wires were stated to be 1,800 feet respectively, and their height 400 feet from the surfaoe of the water. If the height, however, was put down at 100 feet, these figures would be much nearer the mark than 400 ft. The length wae evidently as great as it consistently conld be, with the features of the locality, and certainly aa great as the necessities of tbe case demanded, for it was a most perilous journey to pass over it. When everything was ready, there must have been between 2000 and 3000 people present. Theße were brought to tbe spot by steamers, yachts, and skiffs, and as the weather was fine, and there was so much deluy in the proceedings that many persons did uot hesitate to condemn the affuir •8 a swindle, the majority of them amused themselves rooming amooget the rocks and in the woods. They aod tho numerous boats in the bay made the scene very animated. When the eun had disappeared behind the hills, and the patieuce of the multitude was well nigh exhausted, Perkins and Grand went up to the western brink of the bay, and almost immediately afterwards appeared in acrobatic coaiume. Perkius was considerably the elder of the competitors, Grand beiog quite a youth. Their preparations were Boon accomplished, and a pietol ehot started them down the steep dip of their wires. Throughout their tedious journey they did not increase their speed above rather a slow walk, nor did they alter it to execute any gymnastic macoeuvres. It became evident from the first that Peikins would win the contest on account of the advantages he possessed above hiß companion. His rope wae well guyed aud eteady, while Grand's waa out ol Hoe, aod oecillated too freely to allow of his making a good pace. .Besides these drawbacks one tree intercepted bis progress wben be started and another as be finished, and these caused bim to bring the pole he was using from a horizontal to a perpendicular position, and co jeopardised his balance. These incidents, which could not haye been unforeseen, gave Perkins, who bad a clear course and a long stride, an opportunity to go to the front, and lead nearly tbe whole way. He eventually won by about a dozen yards, and dropped to the ground amidst very general cheering.