PEDESTRIANISM.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 41, 8 June 1876, Page 3

PEDESTRIANISM.

HEWITT V. WATSON AND DAVIS. The late foot races at Sydney appear to have been attended with some curious circumstances. Davis, the American runner, Vt -jiu was beaten by Hewitt in the iirst two „i- three events, is said to be by far the fastest runner ever known in the United States. He was a wheat-buyer by profesfessiun, comes from Minnesota, is twentyfour vears of age, and well-formed. He travels with Wilson's Great American Circus. merely as a runner, making matches vjerever the company goes. He had „nlv been three weeks in Sydney arriving, after a protracted voyage, and ji;ivin rr no training whatever. Mr. Wil;„n, the proprietor of the circus, found j i:ie'ui"ney for Davis, and boasted that his i'ian could' lie on his back, spring to his £ e t when the word £: off " was given, overtke and pass his opponent, and wave him , hand as he shot past the winning post anls ahead. Everybody connected with S;e circus, the equestriennes included, bet heir "bottom dollar" on their man, and roiv.led the stand to see him win. iicli of the ladies had decided upon lie splendid additions to be made their wardrobes from the winK3 tliey would make. But Davis imself lad felt his want of condition, and ad little hope of doing more than win the ret event. Much money changed hands, id that night only two of the performers ere able to appear, so potent had been ie ruin they drank to drown the remem■anee of their losses, and the most had to : made of their performances. But the alienee were appreciative of the ciruistanees, and -forgiving. The race tiveen Hewitt and . Watson, ran at airland, was also the occasion of eat excitement. Every nrner in svrcastle had his; money on Watson, and reiy large number of them were on the iirse, who, it is treated ;ir champion soiuewhMpro,t%lily had he red to lose the mafcehi How Hewitt

t it after having it securely in hand is :xplicable, unless on the. svjgposition it lie had strained a race ■li Davis. Probably there%|j|pjßiotlier son, which will explain itsel&ii Watson opts Hewitt's ehallengs for a race for )0 aside. —Melbourne correspondent of lamilcon Spectator."