ONE THOUSAND MILES IN ONE THOUSAND HOURS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4851, 9 October 1876, Page 3

ONE THOUSAND MILES IN ONE THOUSAND HOURS.

Mr. Wiltshire, the pedestrian, brought his arduous task to a close on Saturday at 8 a.ra. He started to walk at the Waterloo Hotel, Kaiwarra, on Saturday, the 26th August, at 3.46 in the afternoon, and we believe in'the accomplishment of his feat has acted perfectly on the “ square.” Public interest in his performance has increased day by day, and he has been watched by several gentlemen who have dropped in upon him at all hours to see that the distance and time were adhered to faithfully. The first 500 miles of the 1000 were walked at Kaiwarra, but owing to the wretchedly sloppy condition of the ground, he then moved to the Victoria Grounds, Te Aro, where there is a more suitable course, more centrally situated. At the end of the first fortnight he betrayed symptoms of weariness, being rather nervous, and suddenly waking up with a start during his short intervals of rest. On Friday, September 6, he complained of being footsore, and appeared rather lame. In consequence of this, he gave orders to his timekeepers to call him 23 minutes before every even hour—s minutes earlier than was previously the case, so as not to be behindhand. His pace decreased considerably about this time, and he looked altogether rather the worse for his exertions; but his indomitable pluck and confidence of success helped him on, and he soon pulled himself together again. His endurance was tested most in the small hours of the morning, he alleging that the want of company gave rise to a feeling of drowsiness and a wish for rest. During the late heavy gale he was much troubled with the dust, and the wind also proved a great annoyance. He has changed considerably in appearance since the commencement of bis task, but his powerful frame and good constitution have stood him in, good stead; and although his weight has gone down from 12st. lOlbs. to lOst. 61bs., he still looks the sort of man you would not like to pick a quarrel with. ,7 During the period of, his walking his pulse has had ,an average, beat of 80 to 85, and he has eaten his meals regularly, taking nothing in the way of special sustenance, but going in for what he terms a good square meal. During the course of Saturday, he continued to walk, large numbers of spectators visiting the grounds, making his last turn round at 5.45.p;m., and doing the last mile in Bmin. 45secs. , In the afternoon a Mr. Moran, an athletic celebrity, announced his intention of putting Wiltshire, through, not a very plucky thing considering the fatigue the man had undergone, but reckoned without his host, for Wiltshire at the finish put on a spurt and literally walked away from him. We are sorry to record that the matter has not been a commercial success to Wiltshire, he being about £3O to the bad in the transaction, and we make this fact public in the hope that he may be better patronised in the future. He announces that as soon as he has taken a spell he •will walk 120 miles in 24 hours, a feat which we believe has never been before accomplished; and taking his last performance as an evidence of his powers, it is quite possible he will achieve another success. After this he will challenge Mr. Edwards, the New Zealand champion pedestrian, to walk any distance over 70 miles on the high road; and considering that his first mile at Kaiwarra was done in Bmin. SOsec., quicker time than is recorded of Mr. Edwards, an exciting match may be looked for if the challenge is accepted. It is’Mr. Wiltshire’s intention to proceed to Melbourne shortly, where he proposes to walk 1500 miles in 1000 hours. Wiltshire is a native of Famham, Berks, and was born on the 14th March, 1844.