"GASSO DERBY."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 170, 20 July 1935, Page 10

"GASSO DERBY."

WHEELBARROW RACE.

ELDERLY MAN'S WAGER.

FROM GAS WORKS TO HOTEL,

Strange as it may seem, an Auckland man wheeled a fellow employee from tlio gasworks in Freeman's, Pay to the Suffolk Hotel, halfway up College Hill, for stakes of £1 10/ to-day. Hundreds followed the comical event, and trams and motor traffic were held up as the procession moved on its way. The contract was easily completed. Mr. Bert Scan lan, aged 57, contracted to wheel Mr. Ernie Ruhv, an ex-Leagut> representative forward, weighing 13} stone. Mr. Scanian was to receive £1 and Mr. Ruby 10/. The event was timed for ten minutes past twelve. The only rule laid down was that the trip should be completed within one hour. Dozens of employees of the gasworks gathered in the yard while preparations were being made for the event. To prove his strength to all and sundry, Mr. Scanlan lifted a motor bike with ease. Then, with much ceremony, the wheel of the barrow was carefully greased and oiled. Amid cheers from the crowd, Mr. Scunhui started ofl" with Mr. Ruby sitting comfortably in the barrow. On Mr. Seanlan's back was a crude placard branded, "The Clrasso Derbv."

It was easy going for Mr. Scanlan for the first hundred yards, but lie had not gone far up College Hill when lie called a halt. Fie had a rope attached to the handles of the barrow round his neck. With much pulling and perspiring, lie carried on. the crowd urging him forward with a running lire of comment. There was another brief stop, but despite the fact that lie was panting and perspiring, Mr. Scanlan declared:

"This is Easy.'' "This is too easy. I could wheel two of Ruby without any trouble. 1 could wheel liini to Point Chevalier in an hour." And to prove that wheeling people up steep hills in barrows was a mere trifle. Mr. Scanlan insisted that a small boy should sit in the barrow with Mr. Kuby. There were dozens about, and a shy, fair-hared lad was selected. He sat between the knees of Mr. Ruby and tlie procession was carried a further stage.

It was apparent, as each few yards were covered, that Mr. Scanlan was finding College Hill a little steeper than he thought it was, but as he rounded the bend he cheered as he caught a first glimpse of the hotel. The hotel and

associated thought loomed larger and larger as Mr. Scanlan moved steadily up the hill. Twenty yards from the hotel Mr. Scanlan halted to recover his breath for

the final sprint. By this time hundreds had gathered round the central figures.

The road was thick with people, and trams and motor cars were held up while the journey was. completed. People on the verandahs of houses all along the route clapped and cheered, and dozens of men cheered from the windows of the hotel.

Cheers and Congratulations. With a final spit on his hands, Mr. Scanlan picked up the barrow and made a praiseworthy burst to the door of the hotel.. There was great cheering as the two congratulated each other, and applause was renewed when Mr. Scanlan was presented with a huge leather Iron Cross. He acceptcd it with pride, but lie appeared to appreciate the handle of beer that followed more than the cross. In reply, he contended that he was the strongest man in Auckland for his age. He mentioned that a publican further up the road had offered £2 if lie wheeled Mr. Ruby to the top of the hill.

"I'm prepared next Saturday to wheel Mclntyre—and lie is 22st—hiit I want £2 for it,'' concluded Mr. Scanlan.

It was all very amusing, but by tlie contestants and'their backers it was taken very seriously. Stop-watches were used to time the event, and an official record was kept. According to the official timekeeper, Mr. Scan Inn's actual wheeling time was 8.4.",. He left the gasworks at 12.10J and arrived at the Suffolk Hotel at 12.32J, having taken 10 minutes on the journey. The official number of stops was seven.