ATHLETICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1163, 15 June 1894, Page 28

ATHLETICS.

The wrestling contest on Saturday night at the Criterion Theatre between Donald Dinnie and Sutherland was a splendid exhibition, and well worth witnessing. Both men hold unbeaten records in their particular styles, and were more evenly matched than at first sight appeared, the difference in weight and strength to the credit of Dinnie being neutralised by Sutherland's youth and wonderful agility. The first nn/1 third falls in Cumberland style were won rather easily by Dinnie, the second fall, in Grseco-Ronian style, after a struggle of oight minutes, went to Sutherland, and the fourth fall, in tho same style, which lasted six minutes, was secured by Dinnie, winning him tho match. Mr Kirkwood was chosen and acted as referee. It has been arranged that another match shal bo wrestled this week. A. full record of Donald Dinnie's wins would require more space than wo could spare. Suffice it to state that up to tho present ho has won 8921 contests against all-comers at all kinds of athletic sports. As a weightthrower his records are unequalled, as a runner and leaper he was in tho frout rank for many years, and as an all-round wrestler he has not onco been defeated, although he has met all tho best mon of tho day for the past 40 years. It is stated that there is no record of any athlete living who has won ono-half tho contests won by Donald Dinnie. Although now close on 60 years of age he excels in feats of strength with weights, the most extraordinary that of supporting a weight on tho palm of the hand, tho arm held horizontally, against time. In New York, in 1870, ho supported a 761 b weight for 5 seconds, and within the past 12 months ho has recorded 31 seconds for supporting the 561 b. Ho is still ready to meet anyone in an all-round athletic contest. A. Hall, the Wanganui long distance runner, is offering to givo H. R. Wyrern, of Wellington, 25 yards in a mile and run him for *£2o a side.