PEDESTRIANISM.

Otago Witness, Issue 1241, 11 September 1875, Page 16

PEDESTRIANISM.

The long-pending match between Edwards and the boy Scott, and which resulted from, a challenge from Edwards on Scott beating his (Edwards's) time in the feat of 100 mile* within 24 hours, took place at the Drill-sheet last Tuesday. The competitors have been ia training for a good, while past, Edwards afe Mosgiel under Recce, and Soott in Dunedin* under. Austin. The contest, it was welt known, would be a genuine one; on eitheraide there was a determination to win which left no doubt that the match would not be-" "squared." The stakes were for a large: amount, £50 a-side. The distance waa seven, miles. The course had been measured oft byMr Or. S. Duncan, C.E., and the judges, ao , that the full distance of seven < miles had to be walked by the competitors. As it was well known to be an affair in which there was a good deal of rivalry, and aa eaoh competitor had beenin careful training, fast time was expected. On account of the small and narrow course the competitors were not started together. - Edwards was the first to walk. The time fixed for him was 7.30, but he started at a little past eight. He appeared to be in fine form, and walked well. When he did his aevea miles in Glmin. llsec. the general opinion waa that the "boy" could not beat that. Edwards expressed himself to the effect that his time oould not be beaten, and his manner' showed be was confident that he had won. Young Scott, however,' wai sure of victory, and the fast time of Edwards did not in the least daunt him. Scott started at a few minutes after 9. If anything were needed to gain the general sympathy of the audience with him, it waa proved when Edwards stepped into the course and protested against tbe boy'a style — that he was ranning, not walking. This action of Edwards's was at once resented as improper, and caused quite an outburst .of groans, and Edwards was ordered by the referees off the .course. Scott walked the distance in 60min. 26£ sec. He appeared to. be far less punished than Edwards wliile" actually walking, though for a few minutes' after completing the distance he evidently suffered severely. However, the little fellow had a brave heart and bore the pain well. The following is the time :—: —

The above ia Mr Telfer's time. Mr Mason, the other time-keeper, gave the time, Scott, 60min. 26£ sec. ; Edwards, 61min. llsec. Taking the highest time in each case, Scott jron by 44| sscondu. Mr D. K. Rhodes, who acted on behalf of Edwards, declared himaelf to be perfectly satisfied with the way in which the boy walked. The judges and referees, Messrs Dowae, Kirkcaldy, and Clayton, were also satisfied. The referees' announcement of the victory was received with cheering, and Scott wai • taken home amidst the somewhat shrill strains of the drum-and-fife band. Afterwards, Edwards proteited against the referees' decision, saying Scott's walking was such as would not be allowed in London,, and various objections which, could only be called ■ frivolous. The objections were not considered worth replying to, being "those of an. angry man smarting under defeat. We have not heard what waa Edwards's best time during his trials, but we learn that Scott, when he had the advantage of pure air — and the atmosphere of the Drill Shed last evening waa literally choked with tobacco smoke — did the distance in 2£ minutes less than that of last evening.

The amount of the stakes won by young Scott were paid over to hia backers the following night at the Empire Hotel by Mr Eodson,

Ist mile ... Jndmile... trdmile ... tthmile ... tthmile ... ithmile ... r th mile ... Mm. Sec. 8 31 17 32 26 25 34 50 43 20 51 46 60 24 Mm. Sec. 8 43 17 16 25 55 34 39 43 30 52 24 61 10