A TALK WITH WEBB.

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

A TALK WITH WEBB.

Webb sculled down to his boatshed and was given a hearty cheer by the people waiting to receive him. At once he walked up to his house, where he was rubbed down. " Yes, it was a hard race," ho said m his usual quiet way to a Press representative. , "I did my best, but it is no good saying one thing and meaning another. lam satisfied now I am not the bit of 6tuff to beat him." ' "I trained hard, had the best of attention, and felt well," continued the ex-champion. r< I felt quite well all through the race, except at the mile, when I began to feel a little leg weakness and got a little tired m front of the thigh, but it soon passed away, and I seemed then to go better. I didn't give up hope at all, and went after him. I thought I picked up a bit, but he was too good, and I couldn't get up to him." Further discussing the fortunes of the race, Webb said that he got a fraction of a second on the start, which gave him nearly half a length's lead. " When half a mile had gone I thought it was going to be neck and neck to the finish. At the next half-mile I thought I was about three-quarters of a length ahead, but then I began to lose ground. Yes, my arm stood beautifully." " Will you row again ?" asked the reporter, " Well," said Webb, " if I do I think I had better take two months' spell first." " One thing I want to say," he concluded, " Dick Arnst and I went on. the mark the best of friends, as we did last time, and we are friends still." The times of races previously rowed on the Wanganui river are as follows1908—W. Webb v, R. Tressider, 20min 28sec. 1908—It. Arnst v. W. Webb, 19min o2sec. The Wanganui course is Si miles m length, and the race on Tuesday was rowed m 18min 15sec. ' I