PEDESTRIANISM.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 258, 19 February 1877, Page 2

PEDESTRIANISM.

MATCH BETWEEN SEEBY AND ELLIS. Cricket is not the only sport in which tlio Aucklamlers met with more than their match at the hands of' the English team. Last Wednesday evening the Englishmen and a number of the sporting fraternity were assembled at the Victoria Hotel, when the talk turned upon racing. E. Ellis, the well-known Auckland sprint runner, threw down a challenge to any one in the place, which was quickly picked up by Selby, and a 100 yards match ft.r £IOO was fixed to take place on the following morning, as the s.s. "Wellington, which was to take them south, was to leave the wharf at ten a.m. on the following morning. The match caused great excitement, for the Auckland knowing ones were prepared to back their ped. to any extent, while the cricketers also invested every farthing of their loose cash on their man. Altogether, about £IOO in addition to the stakes depended on the match. The match resulted in an easy victory for the cricketer, and, says the Auckland Star, the murder was out a few minutes after the race, when the blanklooking backers of Ellis were informed that Mr. Selby desired nothing better than a match with Frank Hewitt, and was ready to bet £I.OOO on the race. Selby has beaten several good men in Australia, and also won a big Sheffield handicap at Home. He was beaten by Sharp, of Ballarat, but lias made another match to run Mm again when on the return of the eleven to Australia. The scene in the saloon of the s.s. Wellington, before that vessel left the wharf, was a sorry one for Auckland eyes. On the table was a heap of notes and gold, and each member of the eleven as he came up added something to it. Selby was seated at the table with his pocket-book out totting up the amount.