SIX DAYS' WALKING MATCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6907, 7 January 1884, Page 6

SIX DAYS' WALKING MATCH.

LAST DAY. EDWABDS V. HENDRY BROTHERS AND HUCKSTEP. EDWARDS "WINS BY 9 MILES 8 LAPS. Ik Saturday's issue we gave the result np to 3.25 a.m. of that morning oi the walking match, namely, Edwards 414 miles 30 laps, combined 413 miles 1 lap. We now resume the narrative from that point. Edwards went off at 4.15, and returned at 5.5. Huckstep who had retired at 2.40, returned at same hour to track. He retired again at 6.45, and returned at 7.5, also retiring at 8.30, and resuming the track nt 8.55. Edwards had hiß breakfast on the track while going round ; both continued the whole morning without leaving the track. Huckstep retired at 11.35, when, at that time, he had brought the combined score to 440 miles 1? laps. Edwards retired two minutes later, his score standing 443 miles 10 laps. He returned to the track at 1.5 C p.m. and Huckstep a few minutes later. Huckstep retired 3.56 and returned 4.12. Edwards retired at 3.30, and returned 3.45. Huckstep retired again at 5.20. Edwards retired at 5.45, and returned at 7.20 ; retired again at 7.35 and returned at 7.40. Huckstep returned to track at 6.50, both men walking well. At 8 o'clock the whole of the lower portion of the theatre had become filled up with an enthusiastic audience, who cheered both competitors heartily. Shortly alter 8 o'clock Huckstep begin to make some splendid spurt 3, putting Edwards on his mettle, the cheers of the assemblage and the inspiriting strains of the music by the band, apparently infusing new life and vigour into his frame. The resf ective admirers of each man began to manifest their sympathies by throwing handsome bouquets to them, each successive presentation being the signal for a fresh outburst of cheering. About 8.30 Edwards triad several times to edge past Huckstep, but every attempt was met by a lresh spurt oa the part of Huckstep, which effectually prevented it, the audience rewarding Huckstep with rounds ef applause. At 5.40 Edwards spurted and passed Huckstep, gaining some ground. At B.4j> the combined score was up to 460 miles; Edwards 463 miles 16 laps. At 8.50 Huckstep made a splendid spnrt, and Edwards responded handsomely, but Huckstep succeeded in passing the champion, amid the wild cheers and huzzas of the spectators. At 9 Edwards passed Huckstep and gained a lap, but in attempting shortly after to repeat the feat Huckstep made a tremendous spurt, and returned Edwards' compliment. An enthusiastic Scotchman at this stage caused conaideraWs amusement by his running commentary on the local man, such as " Eh, man, Huckstep, dinna be beat," "Gang on, my callan," "I'm awfu pleased to see ye the aicht! " etc. Huckstep agiin made a splendid sport, passing Edwards, and at a quarterpast nine he finally retired from the track with a record of 61 miles 12 laps, the combined scores being 462 miles 11 laps. Hackstep, on retiring, though his feet were sore, was in much better condition than on his first term, and was quite equal to the task of walking out his time to eleven o'clock. In his closing spurt he slipped in coming round the turn ; and some dozen larrikins at the right angle of the platform, in the stalls, fancying that he was "breaking," commenced to hoot. This wounded Huckstep's susceptibilities, a3 he supposed the audience approved of it, and he consequently left the track in a "huff." It is a'pity that any misunderstanding of this character should have arisen, as had Huckstep remained on to the end it ■would have added greatly to the interest of the match. Arthur Hendry then came on the track in company with Edwards, bnt, of course, without scoring. At 9.23 Edwards went off the track, and returned at 9.40. He again retired at 9.55. At this stage James Hendry came on the track and Joined his brother, the two ■ began spurting splendidly amid great cheer- | ing. At 10.5 Edwardß returned to track, and went off at a good pace, and apparently as fresh as ever. At 18.30 he commenced a splendid spurt with the Brothers Hendry. There were loud calls at this time for Huckstep to show himself, the audience being as yet unaware that he had thrown up the sponge, and exclamations of " Is he dead or alive!" " Bring him oat on a stretcher." "Fetch his boots," were freely baudied about, but Huckstep made no response. Long before this time the theatre was packed to the roof, there not being standing room. A goodly nnmber of ladies were in the dress oirole. Edwards went off the track at 10.40. At 10.50 he returned and wjb greatly cheered on completing his 471 st mile, shortly afterwards, and finished at 11 preci-ely, amidst enthusiastic applarnie, hia score standing, 471 miles 19 laps ; combined score, 462 mile 311 liip3. iidwarda thus won by 9 miles 8 laps. Continued calls were still made for Huckstep, but Huckstep waß only conspicuous by his absence. Even the enthusiastic Scotchman had apparently lost faith and cried out, "He's taen awa bame on a streecher." The following statement shows the work of the competitors during the match : — Monday (Midnight).-Edwards, 104 miles 3 laps ;A- Hendry, 86 miles 13 laps; Edwards ahead, 17 miles 22 laps. Tuesday.—Edwards, 81 mile 3 3 laps ; James Hendry, 73 miles 12 laps ; Edwards' total, 185 miles 6 laps : combined, 159 miles 12 lapi. 'Mwards ahead 25 miles 26 laps. WednnsUaY. —Edwards, 76 miles 26 laps ; Huckstep, 82 miles 17 laps ; Edwards' total, 262 miles; combined, 241 miles 28 laps. Edwards ahead, 20 miles 4 laps. Thursday. — Edwards, 70 miles ; A. Hendry (second term), 83 miles 25 laps; Edwards' total, 332 miles; combined, 325 miles 22 laps. Edwards ahead, 6 miles 10 laps. Fbidiy. — Edwards, 70 miles ; James Hendry (second term), 75 miles 3 laps ; Edwards' total, 402 miiea ; combined, 400 miles 21 laps ; Edwards ahead, 1 mile 11 laps. Saturday.—Edwards, 69 miles 19 laps ; Huckstep, 61 miles 12 laps ; Edwardß total, 471 miles 19 lap 3; combined, 462 mile 3 11 laps. Edwards won by 9 miles 8 laps. Had A. Hendry's record been made by J.

Hendry and Huckstep the combined score would have been 510 miles IS laps, as Edwards' best record is 475 miles against O'Leary at Melbourne; it is fortunate for him there was only Arthur Hendry in the team, as the issue would havo gone against him. As soon as the match was over, there were

loud calls by the audience for Edwards, who was retiring to bis room. He came to the front of the platform, and mounted a table, supported by the brothers Hendry. Three cheers were then given for him, and three for the brothers Hendry. When the cheering cubtided,

Mr. Edwards thanked the audience for their kind reception of him. Indeed he had received every kindness from the people here, and he thought Auckland the beat city of the colony. He was not in good form for speaking after so long a journey, but he would nave more to say on Monday night, at the benefit to be given in the theatre on his fcehalf. On comiDg to Auckland he was not aware he would be able to arrange a match, but through the public spirit of Messrs. M. Gallagher and Scott it had been accomplished. The match was legitimately contested, and though he said it chat shouldn't, the best man had won. (Laughter.) He thanked his opponents for the way in which they had acted throughout. Everything had been done honourably and above-board, and the best of feeling had prevailed on all sides. He could only again thank them, and bid tem "Good night." The immense audience then poured out of je building. The match has proved, what was never really doubted, the wonderful ►trying powers and endurance of Edwards. <)n the closing night he looked fresher thau on the third anight of the match. He has lost from sto 71bs. in weight, and looks a little thinner, but otherwise he has suffered little inconvenience, tha loss of sleep troubling him most —he only had on the average about two hours per diem during the six days' match, tdwards went to bed at midnight, and was up betimes on Sunday morning strolling about aB if he had only been taking his daily constitutional. His feet had not suffered in the least, and there was not a blister the size of a threepenny bit. Ai Vaughan, his American antagonist, has done 531 miles in six days, Edwards has his work cutout for him on reaching New York. Taking into account the numerous turns in thd track in the Theatre Royal, Edwards' present performance is regarded by experts as equal to 500 miles on the Melbourne track.