THE CHAMPION INTERVIEWED.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7829, 23 June 1909, Page 3

THE CHAMPION INTERVIEWED.

WANGANUI, June 22. As soon as the race was over, Arnst landed at his training quarters, and, after seeing his boat safely housed, proceeded to Mr It. Earle's* residence for a rub down. " Well, Dick, how do you feel ?" asked one of his friends. "I'm feeling right now," replied Arnst, " but, my word, he rowed me to a finish. I reckon he rowed the race of his life to-day." " I'm certain he did," put m Jack Arnst. "Webb got the best of the start," said -the champion. "Just as I dipped I struck his wave. I reckon I was just ahead of him at the mile. What a i spurt he put m m the home stretch." " Yes," said the champion's brother, " but he put m a bigger one at the bend." "He had me rowing all the way. He's as game as they make them." The question of the time then cropped up, there being various calculations brought m by those present. Arnst laughed as he said, " Oh, I don't care what the time was. I won, and that's the main thing, you know. I've felt a bit doubtful about this race. I was a little off colour back awhile, and have since been told that I had gastric influenza." The champion seemed deep m thought for a little, and then he came out with, "My word, I am satisfied Webb is a great sculler. I don't wonder now that the Wanganui people think such a lot of him." Another spell of thinking brought to the champion's mind things before the race, and he said, "Do you know, we knocked a hole through my boat on the way up ? Yes. A scull went clean through the canvas and out at the bottom. However, we patched it up and it made no difference." Arnst said he thought sculling twice as hard work as cycling, but better; fun and much safer, and he was very' pleased at the reception given him at the finish. " Don't forget my Towns boat," said the champion, "and I used a pair of Norton's sculls made m Wellington. They are beauties, too." "How was the current ?" "It was certainly no stronger than m December." I Asked as to his future, Arnst said he could say nothing definite until he had seen his backers, and they saw what turned up.