THE AUSTRALIAN BLONDIN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5250, 21 January 1878, Page 3

THE AUSTRALIAN BLONDIN.

The announcement that the “ Australian Blondiu” would walk across the river Yarra on a wire, and that there would he no charge made for witnessing the performance, was sufficient to draw a large crowd to the neighborhood of Edwards’ boat-houses ou a recent Saturday night. The wire used was apparently Jin. wire, aud the site selected was immediately above the boat-house. Ihe night .was dark, and evidently not the least preparation had been made for lighting up the performance. Shortly before starting the performer tied a couple of fireworks to each end of the balanciug-polc, but one of them fell off almost immediately, and the other did not last one-third of the way across. The performer started on his difficult task with great confidence, but when about a dozen yards on the wire he turned as if to come back. He changed his mind, however, went on, and crossed, safely. The persons managing the fireworks allowed one to become extinguished before the next was lighted, so that Blontlin was twice in the dark before he got across. The wire was badly guyed in only two places, and swayed a great deal. With such unsteady footing, combined with a fitful light alternating with almost total darkness,, the trip must have been a difficult one. Soon after starting on tho return trip the fireworks on the south side of the river gave out, aud _ before accomplishing one quarter of the journey Blondiu missed his footing and fell, but hung ou the wire with his legs. With great pluck and determination ho maintained his hold of the heavy balancing pole, struggling hard to get it above the wire again, in order to regain liis position. A light was shown from tho northern bank, but in a few seconds this gave out, and no more attempts were made to light up the scene. In the dim light the lad could be seen trying hard to get above the wire, and after a time succeeded in regaining his feet, and returned to his original starting point amid the most enthusiastic cheering. The performer showed great coolness and pluck, and with a well-stayed wire could evidently perform the feat with ease. A collection was made on the ground to defray expenses.—Melbourne Paper.