ONE THOUSAND MILES IN ONE THOUSAND HOURS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 155, 19 October 1876, Page 2

ONE THOUSAND MILES IN ONE THOUSAND HOURS.

Mr. Wiltshire, the pedestrian, brought his arduous task to a close on Saturday,: at eight a.m. He started to walk at the Waterloo Hotel, Kaiwarra, on Saturday, the 26th August, at 3.46 in the afternoon, and wje believe in the accomplishment of his feat he has acted perfectly on the "square." Public interest in his per-*; f ormance has increased day by day, and he has been watched ..by-several gentlemen who have dropped in upon him at all hours to see that the distance and time were adhered to faithfully. The first 600. miles of the 1,000 were walked at Kai-] warra, but owing to the wretchedly sloppy: condition of the .ground, he then moved to the Victoria Grounds, Te Aro, where there is a more suitable course, more cett« trally situated. At the end of the firi fortnight he betrayed symptoms of wearte ness, being rather nervous, and suddenly waking up with a start during his short intervals of rest. On Friday, September 6, he complained of being footsore, and. appeared rather-lame. In consequenoe.of;' this he gave orders to his timekeepers to j call him 23 ramufes before every "ew|. hour—s" .'na^#M^w*B«* r "i3iafe^ , »«^^* l 3 > viously the case, so as hot to be behindhand. His pace decreased considerably about this time, and he looked altogether rather the worse for his exertions ; but his indomitablepluck and confidence of success | helped him on, and he soon pulled him- •; self together again. His endurance was tested mast in the small hours of the ' morning, he alleging that the want of company gave rise to a feeling of drowsiness and a wish for rest. During the late' heavy gale he was much troubled with the f dust, and the wind also proved a great" annoyance. He has changed considerably, in appearance since the commencement of his task, but his powerful frame and good constitution have stood him in good stead; and although his weight has gone down from 12st. 101b. to 10st.«lb., he still looks the sort of man you wouk>%pt like to pick a "quarrel with. - :',";'•" . During the his, walking his pulse has had an average beat of 80 to 85, and he has eaten taking nothing in the way.-of special sustenance, but going in foe what .he terms a good square meal. During the course ot Saturday he continued to " walk, larg e numbers of spectators visiting the grounds, making his last turn round at 5.45 p.ns-» and doing the last mile in BmiH, 45secs. In the afternoon a Mr. Morari, an atnletic, celebrity, announced his intention or putting Wiltshire through, not a very a plucky "thing* considering the fatigue the 1 marribad-undergone, but reckoned without i bis host, for Wiltshire, at the finish, pa* 1 'on a spurt, and literally walked away_fr°nj him. are, sorry to record that «ne a matt«r haaaati ba«ra commercial *&&&*.

to Wiltshire, he being about £3O to the bad in the transaction, and wo make this feet public in the hope that hj« may be better patronised in the future. He announces that as soon a» he ha» taken a spoil, he will walk 120 mile* in -I hour*. % feat which we believe ha* mvtr bevn before accomplished; and taking hi* taat parformance as an evidence of his powers, it is quite possible he will achieve another success* After this he will challenge Mr. Edwards, the New Zealand champion pwlestrian,, to walk any distance over 70 mile* on the high road ; and considering that his first mile at Kaiwarra was done in Bmin. 30see. quicker time than is recorded ot Mr. Edwards, an exciting match may be looked for if the challenge is aceopted. It is Mr. Wiltshire's intention to proceed to Melbourne shortly, where he purpose* to walk 1,500 miles in 1,000 ! hours. Wiltshire is a native of Farnham, I Berks, and **» boTn °° tne 14t ** aiarc "> 11344.— SlaiL