A HUNDRED MILE WALK.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 135, 8 September 1870, Page 7

A HUNDRED MILE WALK.

("New Yo.-k Tribute. ") It ./as announced some weeks ago, in tin Empire Skating Itink, that Edward Puyson Weston, the celebrated pedestrian, would attempt the extraordinary feat of walking 100 miles in 22 consecutive hours. Some sneered, others doubted, but Weston, nothing daunted, made his preparations, and, under the eye of competent and honest judges, and in the presence of thousands of applauding spectators, the feat was fairly and triumphantly ac complished. Mr. Weston's only training consisted in a daily morning walk of ten or fifteen miles during the three weeks preceding the trial. He made his appearance at the rink promptly at midnight, and at 12.15 a.m. he began his walk. The length of the track, which was made of earth and shavings, was- 735 feet and 6 inches, and he was required to make nearly 718 rounds to accomplish the prescribed distance. Eight rounds were allowed for every fifth mile, and seven rounds for all the others. Weston started off in excellent spirits, and made the first round in 1 minute 55 seconds, and the first mile in 11 minutes and 15 seconds. The first 25 miles were accomplished in 4 hours 7 minutes and 54 seconds ; and the first 50 miles in 10 hours 35 minutes and 31 seconds. Seventy-five miles were completed in 16 hours 18 minutes and 3 seconds, and the round 100 miles were triumphantly ended in 21 hours 38 minutes and 15 seconds. According to the measurement made some time ago, it was necessary to make three additional rounds. This, too, was leisurely done, leaving fully fifteen" minutes to spare. Weston stopped nine times during the walk for rest or refreshment, the shortest halt being three minutes, and the longest being nine minutes and forty seconds. His food, taken at intervals, consisted of beef tea, coffee, and crackers steeped in strong green tea. After the eight ielh mile he took a spoonful of cham pagne three times, and during the last ten miles he swallowed a little brandy and water about every third round. He used a sponge dipped in bay rum to moisten his head and wrists, and put whisky in his shoes to ease his feet. His quickest round, the list of the fiftieth mile, was walked in one minute and twenty seconds. During the day there was a scattering attendance of curious spectators, but after nightfall a crowd poured in, until there were not less than five thousand people present, including not a few Indies, who watched with the keenest interest tbe rapid strides of the wonderful pedestrian. The scene was picturesque. The Rink glittered with a myriad of brilliant gas jets. The cool fountain in the middle tossed a score of tiny streams into the air. A band of music played the most jocund and inspiring tunes. The animated crowd swayed to and fro with restless interest, and still the little figui c of the smiling athlete pursued its unhesitating way. Bareheaded, clad only in his shirt and tight velvet trousers with shoes and leggings, Weston shot along like a human comet. Every time he passed the Judge's stand a hearty clapping of hands saluted him. Towards the close the enthusiasm became so great that the most cynical became sympathetic, and anxiously inquired, " How far now ?" " Six nriles and an hour and a half !" " Three miles and 55 minutes !" " One mile and 31 minutes !" On the last mile the excitement was tremendous, and when Weston came up, smiling and bowing, the air was rent with hurrahs and bravos, and stamping of feet ; and hats and handkerchiefs were waved on every side. Weston mounted the raised platform, where his wife and child were sitting, and made a neat little speech of thanks, amid renewed cheering.

The crowd then slowly dispersed, and Mr. Weston finally left in a carriage for his home. He showed very few signs of fatigue, but laughed and chatted with his friends as though he had been taking mprely a little halfmile stroll instead of a hundred mile journey. The purse of 1500d015., to which he is entitled, will be handed to him without delay, and he will soon sail for Europe, carrying with him the proud consciousness of having performed an unparalled task.

A ploughing match of a novel kind has recently taken place at Baningdale, Shropshire, and it certainly was an extraordinary performance. Mr. Southall, a farmer, undertook, on the impulse of a bet, to plough one acre of laud, in in a workmanlike manner, within three hours, using a single plough, to which four horses were attached, working two abreast, and driven by a boy. The field selected was a wheat stubble, and the crop had been cut with a reaping machine. The plough was made by Mr. Southall's own blacksmith, according to his own plan, and under his instructions. The work was completed in the short space of two hours and sixteen minutes, to the entire satisfaction of the judges, and amidst the applause of a large concourse of agriculturists who had assembled to witness it. Mr. Southall is open to challenge any plough, whatever its construction may be, for accuracy of work and ease of draught; and, according to our correspondent, Messrs. Howard, Messrs. Ransome and Sims, and other celebrated implement makers must look to their laurels. — "Mark-lane Express."