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Otago Daily Times, Issue 20322, 2 February 1928, Page 8

notice to correspondent. “W G ” Walpapakauri.—On January 1, 1873, at the age of 10 years, Joe Scott made his first appearance as a walker at the Caledonian Society’s sports, winning the two-mile champion walk, and next day the mile. In 1874 he defeated Edwards, an English walker, over 100 miles, doing the distance In 23hr 55min. A few weeks later he met Edward# again, and beat him in a seven-mile walk for £IOO aside. Time, 60mln lOsec. Scott then weighed only 4st 31b. In 1879 he won Mr Austin’s 24 hours’ competition, there being 16 competitors. In 1880 he travelled through the Dominion giving a series of exhibitions. In 1883 he easily defeated Edwards in 24 hours’ and 48 hours’ competitions, doing 112 and 193 miles respectively. The next man to challenge him was Hancock, who came from Home with an almost unbeatable record, and who held the 50-mile championship of the world. Scott easily beat him in a 24 hours' contest, covering 114 miles, and again in a 12 hours’ walking match for £IOO a side. Hancock then challenged Scott for 50 miles, and also for 12 hours’ and 24 hours’ contests, for £3OO aside. The 50 miles’ race was decided about the end of July, 1885, and Hancock won by a lap (80 yards), In Bhr 9mln 30sec. In the 12 hours’ race the pair were together at 72 miles, with three and ahalf minutes’ to go. In a most exciting finish Scott won by three yards. The total distance covered Was 72 miles 176 yards —a world’s record. Hancock fell on Scott at the conclusion of the race, knocking him over, but It was not suggested that he did it intentionally. Hancock withdrew, after some acrimonious correspondence, from the 24 hours’ match, which was awarded to Scott by forfeit. Scott, however, walked out the 24 hours, covering 125 miles, and at the conclusion was handed the stake money and a gold chronograph. Shortly after this Scott went to Australia, but we have no record of his performances there, and ha then visited England, but his trip was a financial failure-