SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Sullivan v. Bubear.

Victory for the Aucklander

[PRESS ASSOCIATIOX.]

[by electric telegraph—copyright.]

London, September 25. The sculling race between Tom Sullivan, of New Zealand, and George Bubear, of England, for £200 a-side and the " Sportsman's" Challenge Cup, will be rowed over the championship course from Putney to Mortlake to-day. The race has created a great deal of interest and betting is even, both men being in the pink of condition. Later.

Bubear was the favourite for the sculling raco, bub Sullivan led throughout, and won easily. Time, 22min 30sec. Sullivan beat Bubear by five lengths.

Tom Sullivan, tlio winner of yesterday's race, io well known to all New Zealanders, and especially to Aucklandero, for ifc was in this city that ho was born and reared, and it was on Auckland waters that he Ural) rowed a boat;. Ho was born on September 18bh, JBGB, and iy, therefore, just 25 yoara of age. Tom Sullivan is a fine Btrappiug young man ; his height is 6 foet 1 inch, measures 41-J inches around the chest, and whan in form weighs list 101b. His performances are too well known to iieod repetition, despite to say that during his career as an oarsman he won the amateur sculling championship of New Zealand. His great race uffcer joining the professional ranks was in May of laot yoar for the championship of tho world against Jas. Stanbnry, bub the Aucklandor, like many other good men who have competed against the pre3c>.ibchampion,!-uflereddofeat. Sullivan left Australia for England in April last, and arrived in London on May 'i9tb, when ho immediately afterwards threw out a challenge to row (Jeorgo Bubear, tho champion of England, for the championship and a substantial wager. While preparing tor his race against Bubear, tho Aucklandor trained Mr G. Kennedy, an English amateur, and it speaks volumos for Sullivan's coaching that Mr Kennedy won tho Wingfiold sculls.

Sullivan's parents rosido at North Shore, Auckland, and Ms father, Capb. John Sullivan, is in tho Devonporb Ferry Company's sorvico. No doubt, Tom Sullivan, who is a very popular young follow and one who makes frionds whorever ho goos, will now bo able to find supporters in England to back him against Stanbury for a second raco.

This is tho third occasion on which T. Sullivan and 6. Buboar have met in a sculling raco. Their tired meeting was on tho Nopcan River, New South Wnlos, on April 4th, 1891. Sullivan was nob woll, and although ho made an effort to win for his backers, had to retire boforo tho course was completed. A sacoml raco ovor the same course was won by Sullivan in vory fast time (19 minutes 15 seconds), May 30th, IS9L This was a grand raco all tlio way, and Sullivan was just good enough to win after a groat struggle, in which Bnbear rowed a plucky and skilful raco. Sullivan expressed himself aa well satisfied to allow Bomoono elso to tackle 15ube.ii- in future.

Tlio performances of (Jeorgo Bubear, tho Eiipjlish sculler, who is 34 years of age, are also well known, JIo has always been looked on as in tho first flight of ecullers. Bubear'a last raco of importance w«8 against tho onco famous C. llosmor, of America, whom he ucfoated vory easily on January 30th la^t, in England. For porno tirna past Bubem1 has been engaged in giving sculling exhibitions daily fib tho World's Water Show, at End's Court.

Sullivan was some timo in London before ho could get Bubcar to como fco terms, but; eventually, aftei- .some discussion through tho sporting press, the arrangement wus made for tho pair to meet. A largo attondance of rowing celebrities was in evidence to witness tho proceedings. Mr J. IT. Clasper proposed tbafc Mr W. J. Inno~. take the chair. Without furthor delay the Chairman opened tho proceedings by explaining the object for which they wore assembled. He then called upon tho Australian sculler to stato his viows. Sullivan thereupon rose to bia feet, and explained that ho iiad visited England expressly to arrange a match with Buhear, whom he understood waa willing to row him on September 25th. Ho proposed to row Buboar on Septembor 11th, as ho was anxious to return to Australia as soon as possible to meet engagements, and added thab ho thought that date would allow Bubear plenty of time to geb fib. Bubear, howover, insisted upon tho race taking placo on September 25th, as ha remarked that thoro was no hurry seeing tbat ho was making a good living out of his ongagoment with Boynton, and though it was pointed out that Sullivan was undor considerable expense by the delay he would not budge an iDch. Tho Aucklander rose to the occasion, howover, and surprised the meeting by the remark, "Go on, I'll row him when he likes." Loud applause greeted this utterance, and several said, " Well done, my lad, and 1 hopo you'll win.". Without further delay the rival scullers approached the table, and articles of agreernenb woro drawn up and signed, v/horoby Tom Sullivan, of New Zealand, and George Bubear, of Putnoy (holder of the Chullengo Cup), agreed, on July 13, to row a straightaway scullers' raco from Putnoy bridge to the Ship at Mortluke, starting from two moorod skiffs, 25 yards a par!;, on Monday, September 25,1893, in beat-and-besb boats, for the sum of £200 a-side aud tli9 Challenge Cup, tho two men to bo in thair boats ready to start at ono o'clock in tho aftornoon, and to row under tho centre span of Hammersmith Bridge. The race to be rowed according to such of the now Thames National rules as are applicable, cutters being allowed to accompany tho race, but they must) be kepb behind tho stornmost man from stare to finish. To start by mutual consent, but if not off within fifteen minutes of the appointed time, to be started by tho umpire by signal or otherwise. Thore was a clause to the effect that in case of fog or excessively rough weather, the umpire waa empowered to postpone tho match from day to day. Also another, thab the latter official be decided upon at fcho time of the final deposit. The men posted £50 a-sido to bind tho match. Tho scullers having apponded their signatures, the document was witnessed by W. Silcock and W, G. East. Mr Charley Kittell shouted, " Buboar win 3 for £50," and on Mr Innos remarking that Buboar would be obliged to tho gentleman offering to bet if he'd put a tenner towards hia stake. To tills Mr Kittell accsded, and immediately wrote his chequo for £10, amid tho choera of tho friends of the Englishman. After thi3the same sportsman oflered to bet Sullivan a level hundred, but tho latter was silent, an he also was when asked, " Who aro your backers?" Tho bearing of Sullivan at tho meeting gained him lots of friends, many who were inclined to support! Bubear going over to the New Zealander, on account of tho attitude of Buboar, who waa evidently throwing every obstacle in tho way of a mooting. A rccanb cable informs us that Slavin, the ex-Australian boxer, intonds to arrange a sculling raco for the Championship of the World between tho winner of yesterday's race, and James Stanbury, tho holder o? the Championship.