INTERNATIONAL TUG-OF-WAR.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2314, 4 February 1892, Page 4

INTERNATIONAL TUG-OF-WAR.

Mm,bourne, Jan. 26. Intense interest lias been created in Melbourne by the International tug-of-war now proceeding in the Exhibition building. It is attended by thousands, and the scenes of excitement are tremendous, even women standing on chairs, waving their umbrellas, and cheering. Saturday night last saw a great assemblage, when the chief pull on the programme was Ireland v. America, TJie contest took place on a platform, the floor of which has battens for the feet to catch against placed on it at about a foot apart, Although the money wa« confidently announced to be on the Americans, the tremedons reception of the Irish proved in a moment how popular sympathy went. Nor was it national feeling alone that lent such exceptional interest to the contest | both teams had hitherto shown an unbeaten record, and neither had been called upon to eta y, The American « wriggle ” had proved as irresistible as the Irish “rush.” It was surmised that, which ever way the contest went, it would speedily be decided. The moment the pistol was fired the Americans threw their whole weight on the rope and commenced the peculiar wrigglp .against which as yet the beat teams in the competition have been powerless to stay. The disc |n tflp marking rod which moves with the rope quivered, but it moved not an inch forward. Twice more the Americans heaved, and still tlm Irish team, lying back on the battens, met the .strain, and kept the disc motionless. The American# plight just as well have pulled against a stone srajl. Then, at a signal from the .captain, tfle Irish team heaved in their turn, the flisp slid gently over the centre and a yell went Up from the spectators. For one moment tjh® Americans stemmed the rush, then thsy iosjt tjtmh' coolness, went to pieces, and wm 4w} n $ and struggling wildly over the rieats, in pwlst of such a scene, as lias probably UPyier before Jjjflgn witnessed in the Exhibition building- &P the victorious pistol fire the whole immense audience rose, hats, umbrellas, anys(/ing that came handiest, were thrown in the air, >#l4flle*aged Irish gentlemen of aerions demeanor suddenly broke into frantic jigs, a thousand pe.opjp rjished the platform, and for the .firs 'p‘iaff\gtb§ Ip/slf team collapsed in the vain .en.dc.ay.or jto stay against the hands bold Pit* lo tJjpWPresently, when the American captain • came back and carefully examined the rope the yelling was changed to I hooting. If a protest had been lodged the audience would probably have wrecked the building, but no protest was entered, j Tflo Ir:>li and Americans are expected to

be the teams finally left in, so that another tug between them is expected. New Zealand has not distinguished itself, as she has been beaten by America in 3min, Germany in 18min 17 £ sec, Sweden in Imin lOsec, Scotland in 20iniu 35sec. Her victories have been over England in 29min 28sec, and Italy in 52sec.