INTERNATIONAL TUG-OF-WAR.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 7737, 10 June 1892, Page 2

INTERNATIONAL TUG-OF-WAR.

Last evening the Drill Hall was again crowded, and the spectators were amply rewarded by witnessing some really excellent contests in the second round, for the International Tug-of-War, decidedly in contradistinction to the very mild efforts of tho previous night. Tho first comnotition was between the Irish and Scotch, the following being the teams :— lrish — John Curran (captain), John Donovan, J. 8. Shorlock, J. Murtugh, M. O'Connell, E. Dwjor, P. O'Leary, K. O'Lenry, M, MoElligot, and Jerry O'Leary (waiting man). Scotch — T. Oopeland (captain), A Ross, Cameron, Cooper, McDonald, Sim, Martin, Livingston, and Dunbar. At 8.7 both teams got to work, the Irish gaining at least six inches at the pistol fire. Thon there was a lot of hanging on, and at 8.15 almost imperceptibly another oouple of inches had been added to that already annexed. Responding to the plaudits of the audience, the Scotchmen repeatedly triod to reduce the advantage, and oven at this early stage it was clear that the struggle would be a protracted one. At about 825 both teams made desperato efforts, tho rope showing the severe strain to which it was being submitted. Then Scotland acted on the offonsive, and amidst tremendous cheering, reduced their opponents ndvanta^o to about ten inohos. Fortune fluctuated first one way and then tho other, excitement giving placo now and again to ulmo«tporfect silence, then another burst of oDthusiasm (HEnalisod the efforts being made, and at 8.40 rallies and counter rallies wore cheered to tho ocho, it being evident that tho Irish were content with the advantage gained and simply 11 hung on," until forced to straighten out cgain in reaponso to the tugs of their adversaries, who all this time had been olowly getting hack some of the lost rope. Just before nine o'clock, Scotland made anothor gallant effort, bnt the Irishmon lav down to thoir work and although they seemed immovable, there was a perceptible difference, for tho men of tartan were only six inches to the bad, every muscle being strained and the oicitcmont at fever licit, It now wantod but three-minutes to the hour allotted, and Scotland making ono final and gallant effort got the rope within four inches of tho centre batten, responded to by Erin's sons, and at tho cM of time (9 7) amidst thunders of applauso, the Irisn wero declared the winnors, the rono remaining with them to the extent of nearly seven inches. Needless to say both teams were the recipients of some vory congratulatory remarks, and a lot of 'handshaking was freely indulred in, it being generally conceded that both victors and vanquished were most creditable represoutatives of their respective countries.

Aftor tho excitoment had moderated, and nome music having been contributed by tho Town Band, tbo New Zealand and Maori representatives took up their positions on the plutforin, tho tennis being as follow :—: — New Zealand— C. Kruno (captain), C. Horman, B. Horman, W. Bason. B.Jamieson, Brownlee, P. Connoll, R. Johnson, and R. Russell. Maoris — Hirakil, Wi Pawio, Laha, Kangi Hckaraila, Naikauri, Rangi, "Wibi Moa, and Henaro Te Aro. At 9.27, tbe centre block was released, and almost immediately the New Zealanders held a .slight advantngo, while it was noticeablo that tho Maoris were pulling with more, concerted action than on the previous evening, fhey having evidently profited by tff& lesson learnt, and they laid down to their work in true tradesmanliko style. At 035 they took the rope into neutral ternimi, nnd there it hovered for some minute-". Thero was but little difference then until ten o'clock, when New Zealand were at leo»t three iochos to the good, the work in the interim having been somewhat dull and uninteresting from a spectator's poiot of view. Five minutes later there was a splendid rally, and Now Zealand having put out another " feeler," annexed still more rope. At 10.14, notwithstanding the Maoris were hanging on all they knew, over two feet were annexed, and then, becoming exhausted with their pluoky efforts, they signalled Referee Ohavanne, and the contest, which had lasted 45 minutes, was gbon in favour of New Zealand. Again applause was showered down on both teams, and they certainly doserrod it.

It was balf-pasfc ten bofore Australians and half-castes made their appoarance, tho teams being — Australians— D. Kitchen (captain), Saundere, McKonzio, Jenkins, Williams, Bosa, Breed, Willis and Webb. Half-castes— L. Davis (captain), A. Marshall, Micholaon, Harmond, Fukehika, Sutherland, Kennio,Hakukuand W.Brooks, At 10.37, tho pistol wos fired, and the Halfc«stes went away with a lead of about four inched, and although the Australians disputed postession most manfully, the Halfcastes were not to be denied. At 10.45 they had fully six inches to the good, and at 11 o'clock, two feet. At 11.10, three feat were registered to the Half-castes, witb the man taking in the slack with a seraph ic-look-iog visage, while the man at the other end looked correspondingly disconsolate. Determined to die game, the Australians put forth evory effort, and although tho rope kept slipping away from them, their tenacity in hanging on was applauded to tho echo. At übout thirty minutes from tho start the Half-castes wero credited with four feet to the good, aud this was but tho begmniDg of tho end, for at 11 30 thero was a long, lone; pull, and a strong, strong pull from the Half castes, and away fhe rope came clsan over the batten, after it had hovored in clobo proiinrity for conic little time. This contest occupied 98 minutes, and was gamely fought oul on both sides, the cheering being deafening at tho I conclusion. So far as the competition his gono, the six teams have had ttro tugs each with the following result : —

Tho competitions will bo continued this evening, tho following being the drawing for the third round:— lrish v Australia, Maoris v Half-ca«tes, Scotsh v Colonials, Maoris v Australia, Scotch v Half-castes, Irish v Colonials, Scotch v Australia, Colonials v Half-castes, and Irish v Maoris.

As many of tho above as possible will bo got off to-night.

Iroland Jew Zealand Icotland ... lalf-oastoa ... Luatraliu, riaorie 'S Wins, Losses. 2 — 2 — 1 1 1 1 — 2