STANBURY V. O'CONNOR.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 161, 10 July 1890, Page 5

STANBURY V. O'CONNOR.

' _■ O'CONNOR BADLY BEATEN. PARTICULARS OF THE SECOND MATCH. On Monday, 30th June, the second match between James Stanbury and William O'Connor took place on the Parramatba River. O'Connor's action in preventing the payment of the stakes in the first race, and his complainb that in Australia he was not receiving fair play, was promptly and fully met by Stanbury notifying the visitor on the Tuesday previous thab he would row him again on bhe following day, or when he chose. Aboub 12,000 people viewed the race from steamers and the banks of the river. The umpire, Mr Myers, placed the boats so that they should in the race keep clear of Uhr's Point, so that there should be no excuse for any foul such as O'Connor alleged in the other race. O'Connor insisted on taking the same position as he had in the other race ; and Stanbury conceded the point though he thought he should have been allowed a toss for choice of positions. Ab 18 minubes past four the men gob away well together, O'Connor going at 39 strokes-to the minute and Stanbury at 38. After the first dozen strokes O'Connor's boat began bo show in front, and tbe excitement on the steamer was tremendous. Stanbury did not appear to be getting on well at first, and O'Connor was plainly rowing his best to establish a lead. Some of those on the steamer began to look on O'Connor as a winner, but bhe general idea was that the Australian was waiting, and would be able to get in front when he chose. However, despite the great confidence placed in Stanbury, there were many who began to feel uneasy as O'Connor increased hia lead and rowed past Uhr's Point a length ahead in 1 minute 55 seconds. Tho Canadian was then rowing 36 to the minute, and Stanbury about 30, but it was becoming more and more evident that the latter was not letting himself out. O'Connor still rowed very well, and continually looked round. On the stretch across to Blaxland's he continued to improve his position, and when half-way across was a length and a-half ahead. But before the mile was reached the aspect of the race was changed with remarkable suddenness. O'Connor began to show signs of exhaustion, and was rowing with less vigour and freedom, when Stanbury spurted, and, with a few tremendous strokes, shot past the Canadian, amidst the ringing cheers of the spectators. O'Connor fell away badly, and before the mile point was reached was a length and a a half before the Australian. Stanbury's. time for the mile was six minutes thirtyone seconds, and at this point he was rowing about thirty-two to the minute, and O'Connor thirty-four. From this point Stanbury led as he liked, O'Connor being rowed oub and showing very bad form. Stanbury went on increasing bis lead and won by five lengths in twenty-two minutes fifty-nine seconds. He was received with ringing cheers, but O'Connor's exhibition was badly received. O'Connor said after the race that he was nob going to make excuses now,that he was beaten in a legitimate way. With regard to his future plans, the visitor stated thab it was not bis intention to row any more matches in Australia. He had decided ab no distant date to retire from professional sculling, as he did not depend upon ib as a means of livelihood. He would shortly be leavingthecolony for Canada, and on his way home intended to tour through Egypt, Italy and France. He would probably revisit Australia, when he hoped to bring oub a man who would be able to defeat Stanbury. The Canadian also expressed his sincoreat thanks for the nunjerous kindnesses he bad experienced' at the bands of Australians since his arrival in the colonies.