AN ATHLETIC CONTEST.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 5311, 8 May 1884, Page 2

AN ATHLETIC CONTEST.

I (Argus, April 7.) At the Exhibition Building on Saturday, Donald Dinhie met Professor Miller, the well-known Australian, in a trial of strength for a stake of £100. There were about 8000 persons present. It was arranged that each man choose five feats, and that' he who excelled in -the majority won the match. Dinnie started by taking a 251 b dumb-bell in each hand, and lifting the pair upward from the shoulders at arms-length 31 times in sue* oesiion. Miller onlymanaged 14, and his opponent scored a point. Thus early it was apparent, however, that there 'would be some dispute as to style. Miller kept his legs and body perfectly still, and lifted the weights purely by the strength of his arms, while every part of Dinnie'a frame was in motion, and he obtained his lifting power by bending his knees and back, and then springing ereot from, his heels. This, although claimed to be an infringement of the American rules on the subject, wa3 allowed in the first practice, but disallowed afterwards. Both men then lifted a 1001 b dumb-bell straight above their heads with the hand 10 times in succession, but the point was given to Miller on account of his superior style. In the next feat the Scotch athlete held a 251 b dumb-bell in each ; hand, with the arms extended from the [ shoulders outward for 18£ sec • Miller, who followed, only managing 13£ sec. Miller having increased the weight of his one* I arm dumb-bell to 1101 b, hoisted it from the shoulder above his head nine times, while Dinnie twice in succession failed at the eighth try,- the men being now even with two points each. After a short rest a weight of l?01bs was lifted in exactly the same way six times by Miller, and seven times by Dinnie, who was loudly cheered. This point was given to Miller on account of his more legitimate style of lifting, and there could be no doubt that as far as arm strength in pushing a weight upward was concerned he was the superior man, as he | lifted the mass of iron without 'the slightest jerk. Dinnie then ro'led out two heavy bells joined together with a bar about 3ft long, the lot weighing 2001bs. Catch* ing the bar with both hands he lifted this above his 'head seven times in succession, but Miller declined to attempt the feat, to the evident dissatisfaction of the audience. He explained afterwards that while, in practice during the week he had cricked his back, and that the jerk necessary in this style of practice would have disabled him. Miller having gained the superiority with the one-hand dumbbell, kept increasing the weight for the re* maining trials, while Dinnie did the same, with the two-hand weights, the climax being reached when Miller lifted 1501 b above his bead with one hand, and opponent put up 2401 b with both hands. Miller declined throughout to try this practice, but Dinnie pluckily struggled through the one-arm exercise, although being disqualified in every instance on account of his style. One of the most interesting feats of the night was one in which Dinnie lifted a 2301 b dumb-bell above his head with both hands, and afterwards supported it for at least five seconds with the right arm alone. The result was that each had won at his own practice, and that the match so far was undecided. It was finally arranged, that the men should decide it' by a trial of one-arm lifting, each adopting his own style. Miller accordingly put up 170, but Dinnie failed three times in succession, and the match was accordingly won by the Australian. It is more than probable that another exhibition between the two men will be given. Messrs L. L. Mount and J. Clark acted as umpires, and M. Victor as referee,