THE DRINK-PROOF MAN.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3354, 21 October 1911, Page 2

THE DRINK-PROOF MAN.

HIS CHAMPIONSHIP DISPUTED. TWO OTHER ASPIRANTS. Mr. Eddy Vean, the big Cornishman, who claims to be the biggest beer drinker of New South Wales, is to be challenged for championship. One of the aspirants is a water.--ido worker hailing Horn Milhr’j Pont. When his fri?n T s an:l supporters read of Venn’s challenge they lost no time in replying to his challenge to all-corn-ers. That they have faith in their man is evidenced by the fact that they can find £2O to cover Venn’s money for an all-day beer-drinking contest. The* Cornisliman’s admirers, however, treat this challenge very lightly, ami they have lodged the necessary. £2O with a well-known Sydney business man. Mr. Fos Dind, of the Kentish Hotel, Broadway, who is one of Venn’s backers, writes to ..the “Sydney.. Sun” : “Replying to Andy M'Shandy’s challenge. At the outset, I must say that I do not attach very serious weight to this, owing to the sarcastic manner m whioh it is written. I can assure you and the general public, whom I,.understand are deeply 'interested in what was published in ‘The Sun,’ that it is absolutely beyond question. . Eddy Vean’s backer* has his £2O up in the hands of one of Sydney’s most- reputable business men. I can assure you that I personally served, the drinks to the champion in each of his contests and records, and I am prepared to support Vean’s backer to the extent of another £lO to say that no man in Sydney can approach Vean’s record, viz., ‘start off at 6 a.m. and drink 12 rums, and finish at 11 p.m. with 42 pints of beer.’ As there is and has been a great deal of controversy concerning this question, I shall feel obliged if you will give full publicity to the foregoing. The contest may .start at any time.” The stakeholder, who for various reasons has assumed the nom de plume of “Tasman,” also has a word to say regarding the champion : “My attention has been called to a challenge issued by one ‘Andy M‘Shandy.’ I can assure you that for nearly a week my pocket has been well weighted with 20 sovereigns to stake as a wager on Vean against all comers. . I venture the opinion as a commercial traveller for many years in the four States of the Commonwealth and New Zealand, ,that Vean is by far ‘The Best I Ever Saw.’ ” Vean’s supporters have arranged a match between the champion and a well known resident of 'Forest Lodge—the second aspirant. The stakes total £lO, and the contest is to take place on Eight Hour Day.