"BARROW DERBY”

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1935, Page 5

"BARROW DERBY”

WHEELER WINS BET

FINISH AHEAD OF TIME

STRUGGLE UP MOUNTAIN

ICE AND SNOW MET WITH

HUGE CROWD AT CHALET

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Rec. 7.30 p.m. Melbourne, June 2.3 Pushing Mr. S. Evans in a barrow through the cheering crowd, Mr. T. Parkinson drew up in front of the Mount Buffalo chalet at 12'.30 p.m. to-day with 40 minutes in hand, thereby winning the £2O wager on what has become known as the “Wheelbarrow Derby.” Mr. Parkinson bet that he could wheel Mr. Evans from their home town of Beechworth to Mount Buffalo, a distance of 50 j miles, in eight days. Mr. Evans accepted the wager. , Mr. Parkinson on Friday pushed the barrow 'about four miles through three inches of snow. His ankles were swathed in bandages. . >' . Mr. Evans was chilled to the bone and had to be massaged at intervals. He blew. a whistle vigorously .to liven himself. ' . . When he halted on Friday Mr. Parkinson had covered 43 miles since leaving Beechworth last Saturday. Both men were reasonably fit, But Mr. Parkinson’s shins were sore and Mr. Evans complained of cramp in the freezing atmosphere. ; • Battling through a blinding snowstorm Mr. Parkinson completed a little oyer four miles yesterday. Mr. Evans at one stage fell asleep in the barrow. Mr. Parkinson had an easy task today with only a mile and a-half to cover in clear weather on a hard road. He and Evans were greeted by a party of skiere and approaching the . finishing line they passed under an avenue of crossed skis.' There was a huge crowd at the resort, special excursion trains being run. ■ . ' - ' Mr. Evans is to receive a cheque for £2O from a Melbourne newspaper. Mr. Parkinson has also won a number of bets on himself, and publicans in more than one State are bidding for the famous barrow, now known as the "Pride of Beechworth.” ■ ’ While Mr. Parkinson was battling through snow and ice up the slope of Mount- Buffalo yesterday, the barrow mania was sweeping the country. Contests were held at Sydney, Dubbo and Brisbane, while at Woodville, South Australia, a man has undeitaken to pull another 50 miles in 58 hours in a trotting gig. ' • "■ Mr. Parkinson was looking particularly well at the end of the contest. He allowed himself plenty of time and more or less loitered over the concluding stage. «• - Speeches were made by the contestants and trainers in which -tributes were paid to the sporting spirit displayed throughout. " '.'