CLUB-SWINGING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14854, 4 December 1911, Page 10

CLUB-SWINGING.

TOM BURROWS AT ONEHUNGA, Tho Lyceum Theatre, Onehunga, was packed on Saturday night, when Tom Burrows, of Australia, who held the club-swinging championship of the world, successfully concluded bis self-imposed task of swinging Indian clubs for 80 hours at an average of not less than •80 revolutions per minute. A strong committee was appointed to superintend the effort, with Mr. R. Sutherland as chairman, and for every minute of the continuous 80 hours Burrows whirled tho clubs, the revolutions often reaching 120 to the minute. ■ 'Hie clubs each weighed 2605, or 31b 4oa the pair. Burrows set out upon his mission at eight minutes ; past three o'clock on Wednesday afternoon, finishing up at eight minutes past 11 o'clock on Saturday night. During the whole 80 hours he was watched by, relays of people and committeemen, Mr. Sutherland alone, putting in over 50 hours, while the band, an orchestra, and plonty of local talent enlivened the proceedings and cheered the patient, but constant, club-swinger, who was fed, shaved) and shampooed on the stage, ail the i while keeping his clubs going. On Saturday meanj ing Burrows got very sleepy, but never relaxed ; his efforts, and was twice marched out into the 1 open air, where he revived. Throughout that ■ afternoon and at night the Lyceum was crowded, i and enthusiasm ran high in the last half-hour. As i Burrows kept en with swollen hands and dreamy I eyes, catchy songs and bright music assisted to ', cheer him on, and, although it was palpable to j all that he was tiring, tho revolutions • always I exceeded 80 to , tho minute. Curing the last ! quarter of an hour the minutes were called out, ■ and Burrows would enter into the business with j spurts of bright club work, prettily executed. ; In the last two minutes the orchestra suddenly j struck up an inspiring march tune, and Burrows seemed galvanised with new life. When the last i second was ticked off and Burrows's task had I been successfully accomplished, the assemblage I cheered for over 10 minutes. Burrows eat down j for a few minutes and then.thanked the commiti tee, thoao who assisted him, and the audience.