NOTES BY OLYMPIAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 1650, 7 July 1883, Page 20

NOTES BY OLYMPIAN.

J. Aplitt, the champion sprint runner of New South Wales, ia to run T. M. Malone, a new arrival in Sydney, a distance of 175 yards, for £200, on Saturday next. It is said Malone is a regular flyer. Myers, the American runner, has offered to run George, the English champion, three matches — at 1000 yards, 1200 yards, and threequarters of a mile — between August 15th and September 30th, at the new Manhattan Athletic Club Grounds (N. ¥.). Blackburn, who is known in Otago as a firstclass wrestler, was to have wrestled Miller, the Australian athlete, on Saturday last, but the contest had to be postponed. The reason is given in the following letter, which appeared in the Sportsman :— " Sir, — Having severely sprained my right haud in the late glove contest, I have to aak Mr Blackburn to postpone our wrestling match from 23rd June to some future date to be agreed upou. An _ answer from Mr Blackburn or his representative will oblige.— Yours, &c, William Miller." George Seward, the pedestrian over whose alleged 100 yards in 9£ sec. there has been so much controversy, died at Birkenhead, England, on April 10th, in the 66th year of his age. Seward was a thick-set; and very muscular man, stood sft SJin high, and weighed list 51b. He was peculiar in his habits, and trained but little for his undertakings ; he lived widely different in those days to other pedestrians, and partook very sparingly of animal food. The English sporting papers give him the credit of doing 100 yards in 9£ sec, 120 yards 11£ sec, 200 yards in 19^ sec, and a quarter of a mile in 49 sees. Edwards states that he is willing to meet Raynor for £200 ; and O'Loary is also anxious to try conclusions with him. Prince, the bicyclist, whilst in America, offered to ride against any trotter 20 miles for £100. A 20-mile bycicle v. horse race took place at Boston 1 , U.S., April 21st, between C. J. Young, bicyclist, and Thomas Walsh. The race was weil contested, but the horses were too muoh for the bicyclist, who was beaten by several laps. Time : Horses, 1 hr. s£ min. ; bicycle, 1 hr. 9 mm. 55 sec. Dr Cortis has twice ridden the distance under the hour. The Sydney Bulletin gives the following succinct account of the race in the final heat for the Krug Champagne Cup : — " The result ot the final heat of the sculling competition for the Champagne Cup was a surprise. The race was viewed by the general public from the s.s. Glenelg, and by the Press from the Prince of Wales. The competitors got a fair start at the hands of Mr Cope, but a-< the steamer stopped to pick that gentleman up, the scullers were a long way ahead before way was again got on to the Press boat. Gaden jumped away with the lead, but at Uhr's Point Brett had taken first position ; Middleton and Wal- | ker (the only Victorian representative) being j about level. At the mile point, which was passed by Brett in 6 mm. 45 sec, he was leading Gaden by a length, Middleton close up, and Walker three lengths away, evidently outpaced. Gaden then cracked, and Middleton, passing him, drew up, challenged Brett, and at Tennyson, took pride of place. Walker at this point fell out of the race. Thence to the finish what was apparently a great struggle took place between the two leaders, and Middleton landed by a bare half-length one of the most exciting races ever rowed over the champion course, in 23 mm. 23 sec. — splendid time, considering the race was rowed on a flood tide." A match has beed arranged between E. Trickett and W. Beach, for £100 a-side, in outriggers, over the champion course on the Parramatta River, to take place on the 28th July. _ L. E. Myers, running from scratch, won the six-huLdred-yards' race at the handicap sports of the Manhattan A.C. (U.S.), April 21st, in I mm. 15 3-5 sec The beßt English professional record is 1 mm. 13 sec, by James Nuttall, and the fastest amateur record in England is 1 mm. 14 3-5 sec, by F. T. Elborough, both made under highly favourable conditions, while this was Myers' first race of the season. The latter 's beat time for the distance is Imm II 2-5 sec Abe Hicken has challenged Eoley to box for a trophy of £500. Concerning the result of the Miller-Foley fight, one of Miller's backers has written the following letter to the Melbourne Sportsman : —Sir,— There is one matter in connection with the final arrangements^ to which I would call your attention, and in which I ask your opinion. Prom wh&t I can learn, the day after the contest Miller, the referee, and a prominent backer of Foley's met together. No one else was present. When they came out of Tattersall's it was announced that the contest was a draw. It was soon after stated that Miller got £150 of Foley's stake. Eventually ifc leaked out that, notwithstanding the nominal draw, Miller obtained the whole of the stakes. Now, sir, why was this so-called draw made when the one man got the whole stakes ? To me the matter appears thus ; — The Foley backers said make a draw of it, and you will get the stakes. This will enable us to get out of our bets, and it will enable you to give your stake finders just what you like. In other words, make a draw of it, throw over your backers and so save us, and we will give you the money as a present, so that you can get oft' easily with those who put the money up for you. Is not this the plain English of the hole and corner settlement ? — Yours, &c, A Disappointed Stakefinder. Charles Mitchell, champion boxer of England, met Mike Cleary, the acknowledged second best in America, on April 9bh, and banged him all over the place, completely " knocking him out ' in three round rounds. Mitchell is matched to fight (bare knuckles) Herbert A. Slade, the Maori half-caste, for £500 a-side, next September. The third six days' walking match between Edwards and O'Leary— which had been agreed upon under very strinsrent conditions as to the distance covered and the reduced proportion of gafce-mouey to the loser— has unfortunately fallen through, other parties having quietly stepped in and secured the Sydney Exhibition building for some local peds ou the intended date. This seems to show a little loose management on one side, and a bit of " sharp practice" on the other.