WIRE-WALKING CONTEST.
(From the Sydney Mail, Juno 15.)
Since Mr. L’Estrange created a sensation by walking across an inlet of Middle Harbor on a high rope some mouths 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 is 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 his performances. One of these thrilling entertainments took place on Saturday last, in which there was the novelty of two persons risking their lives simultaneously. The occurrence has been contemplated by the public for several days past with considerable interest, as it was said to have arisen out of a wager of £2OO 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 honafide or not, was decided at Mosman’s Bay, one of those parts of the harbor most celebrated for picturosqueness. Two wires, each about three-quarters of an inch in diameter, were stretched ovei the water from trees amongst some rocks, and stayed in the usual manner. The lengths of the wires were stated to he 1800 ft. respectively, and the height 400 ft. from tho surface of the water. If the height, however, was put down at 100 ft., these figures would be much nearer the mark than 400. The length was evidently as great as it consistently could he with the features of the locality, and certainly as great as the necessities of the 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. When the sun had disappeared behind the hills and tho patience of the multitude was wellnigh exhausted, Perkins and Grand went up the western bank of the bay, and almost immediately afterwards appeared in acrobatic costume. Perkins was considerably the elder of the competitors, Grand being quite a youth. There preparations were soon accomplished, and a pistol shot started them down the steep dip of their wires. Throughout their tedious journeys they did not increase their speed, above rather a slow walk, nor did they altei it to execute any gymnastic manoeuvres. It became evident from the first that Perkins would win the contest, on account of the advantages he possessed abovehiscompanion. His rope was well guyed and steady, while Grand’s was out of lino, and oscillated too freely to allow of his making a good pace. Besides these drawbacks one tree intercepted his progress when he started, and another as ho finished, and these caused him to bring the pole he was using from a horizontal to a perpendicular position, and so jeopardised his balance. These incidents, which could not have been unforeseen, gave Perkins, who had a clear course and a long stride, an opportunity to go to the front, and lead nearly the whole way. He eventually won by about a dozen yards, and diopped to the ground amidst very general cheering. Some other diversions were announced to take place, but as there was no appearance of their commencing, and as it was getting dark, the spectators proceeded to the steamer and returned home.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5384, 29 June 1878, Page 3
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578WIRE-WALKING CONTEST. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5384, 29 June 1878, Page 3
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