INTERNATIONAL TUG-OP-WAR IN MELBOURNE.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVII, Issue 21, 25 May 1899, Page 5

INTERNATIONAL TUG-OP-WAR IN MELBOURNE.

THE IRISH TEAM AGAIN VICTORIOUS.

THEY DEFEAT ALL NATIONS.

In out 1 t t is-ue wo gave the results of the international tug-of-vvar held in connection with St. Vincent's Fair, Melbourne. The Irish learn was victorious, the Australians coming in a good second. The Australians wt.ro not altogether satisfied with the result, as they believed that wi'h a better selected team the laurel crown would be theirs. Ihe \;etors i x pressed their willingness to give the Cornstalks another than c. a proposal being made that the pull should be for Clou a Hide. Eventually it was agreed to dispense with tSe money prm-, and to h ive the c .ntest solely in the interests of the chanty. The two teams met on the sth inst. in the presence of about l."».(Mto persons. Immediately the word was given both teams bent to their work, ami for tour minutes, during which time you could luar a pin drop, so intense was the excitement amongst the >peetatoi-, there wan not the slightest advantage to either side. At the first movement ot the rope, which told of the superior powers ot the Irish, the stillness, was broken, and the crowd gave vent to their pent-up leehngs in a deafening cheer. The Australians made a splendid effort to win back the advantage gamed by their opponents, but the indicator movtd not a hair's breadth. At a signal from their captain the. J n-h me o gave another heave, and a foot additional was obtained The Australians made another desperate attempt to recover the lost ground but as far as the spectators could see, they might as well have tried to move the, building in which the fair was held. After another spoil the Irishmen bent to their work again, with the ie-ult rhat by twelve minutes from the start they had gaineei tour feet out ot the six necessary for a win. It was now seen that the Australians hud no prospect of securing victory, and in about half a minute the Irish pulled them to the six-foot limit. 'Ihe victory was greeted with tremendous applause, and the winning team was overwhe ined with congratulalations, the Australians, tex>, coming in for warm congratulations for the plucky tight they made.

On the following evening the victorious team engaged in a contost w itn picked men from all nations, consisting of Australian, Lnglish, American, anel Danish representatives, the combined team being a tine body ot muscular men. There were about twenty thousand persons present on thu occasion, as great interest waa taken in the contest. The Iri-h team received a tremendous ovation on their appearance. The contest proved a very tame affair, as the iri-h practically walked away with their opponents in less than five minutes. The total result of the international contest during the fair was that Ireland swept the field, beating England, Denmark, America, all nations (combined team), and Australia, the latttr on tw o occasions.