WEBB DEFEATED EASILY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 300, 16 December 1908, Page 5

WEBB DEFEATED EASILY.

BACE WON BY EIGHT LENGTHS. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WANGANTJI, Tuesday. Wanganui was thronged with visitors to witness the sculling championship, but the event did not attract the number anticipated. The Railway Department made provision to carry from four to six thousand people, but only 2400 booked.

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") WANGANUI, Tuesday. Wanganui was thronged with visitors to witness the sculling championship, but the event did not attract the number anticipated. The Railway Department made provision to carry from four to six thousand people, but only 2400 booked.

The morning broke fine, but towards 10 o'clock the clouds gathered, and the heat was very oppressive. From an earlier houT crowds thronged along the river banks, and by the time 4 o'clock arrived all vantage points were crowded. At 2 o'clock a light rain began to fall, and the river, which had been like a sea of glass, was dimpled with rain spots. When the flotilla of steamboats, which w«re fairly patronised, arrived at the starting point, the weather had cleared, but this was but the preliminary of A CONTINUOUS DOWNPOUR. Included amongst the guests on the umpire's boat were Sir Joseph Ward, Sliss Ward and Miss Rnbi Seddon. At the starting point Arnst was seen seated with his trainer, lTogwell, and a salvo of cheers went up, to which he responded by waving his hat. Presently the anxious watchers saw Webb sculling up the river from his camp, and both were soon upon the water. They rowed to the umpire's boat, where Mr C. Wray, the umpire, addressing them, said that for the first time in history two New Zealand scullers were about to contest a world's championship. He hoped they would hold the honour more than anything else in contesting the race. The eyes of the sporting world were on them. He hoped both would row the race of their lives, and that the best man would win.

As the men sat in their boats Arnst impressed all by his massive proportions, lie looked like a bronzed Hercu- ; les. He was perfectly self-possessed, continually dipping his hands in the water to ensure a better grip. Webb seemed a little nervous and fidgety, and his face was short of colour. He won the toss, and chose the eastern bank. THE RACK Xo sooner had the men got into line than they broke away to an even start, and the fight for the world's championehip had commenced. Both rowed with strong, dean strokes, and their workmanship seemed perfect. Arnet put his big back into it, rowing 34 strokes to i his opponent's 33, and immediately his power began to tell. FORCING THE PACE. They had not gone fifty yards whfrn Arnst had a half-length's lead, and Webb's admirers at once realised that he was bent on forcing the pace. Sweeping round the first corner, Arnst was a length in front, and as they went toj wards the mile post, he had two lengths' advantage, and began to take the champion's water. Yells from the following boats announced the pleasure which this gave to the challenger's followers. ARNST THREE LENGTHS AHEAD. At the mile and a half point Arnst was three lengths in the lead, almost in a straight line in front of his opponent, and atjtwo miles he was fully four lengths ahead. WEBB'S TASK HOPELESS. After this the race was a procession, the further they went the more the challenger increased his lead. Responding to cheers of encouragement from the bank, Webb made desperate attempts to make up lost ground, and his face disclosed the strain h? was putting upon himself. ARNST CONFIDENT OF VICTORY. Arnst, now confident of victory, kept in midstream. He kept plugging vigorously, but was noticed to turn and scan the hills and the assembled spectators. Once he paused in his stroke to avoid some floating debris. Webb ran up along the western bank, in close proximity to the flotilla of boats lined along the river; he was straining every nerve in answer to the vociferous appeals of his ardent supporters, but it was no use. A puff of smoke followed by a report, announced that the race was over. WON BY EIGHT LENGTHS. .Arnst dropped his oars, there were a few faint, disappointed cheers, another explosion, and Webb had got to the winning post, eight to ten lengths behind. l>O7,ens of craft at. once put out from tho ban-ks, and a flin'k of pigeons rose in the air to scmtter the news. The men ranged up in the centre of the stream, and shook hands heartily, and the pent excitement gave von-t in a volley of cheers, which echoed and re-echoed amongst the hills. TIME OF THE RACE. The time for the first mile was 5m 455, for tho second mile llm 335, and for the whole course 19m s:ls. The raiu came down in a perfect deluge, and the drenched spectators commenced their homeward flight. The new champion rowed quietly to hU quarters up the river, while Webb paddled down stream towards home—Wanganui. THE BEST MAN WON. While intensely disappointed at the result, Webb admits that the 'best man won. Betting had been dn favour of Webb rig-bt along, but rumours of fast trials done by the challenger made local Backers careful. However, Floyd came into town tihis morrring with a roll of notes, mostly Australian money, and succeeded in laying it with Webb's immediate backers. Satellites of tihe challenger also got in on good terms to a limited extent. A CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS. "Victor," of the "Herald," says that if Arnst had been pushed he could have knocked several seconds off the time, and that he is a champion of champions. The race was rowed practically in dead water. THE WINNER INTERVIEWED. On returning to his camp, Arnst had a most enthusiastic reception. Round after round of cheers greeted him as he pulled up to his staging. After seeing to the housing of his boat and getting away from his many admirers, Arnst retired to his tent for a rub down and refreshment. "Well," he said, in reply to a question, "I don't know that there is anything much to, say about it. I had a jolly hard race over the first mile and kept moving. I was ahead at the mile post." "Did you have a good passage T" was I asked by a bystander.

"Oh, yes; I had a good run, though ( there was a lot of driftwood about, and once I thought my boat was sinking. I went right over a piece. Well," he continued, "I think I deserve my win. I have worked hard enough for it." "What did Webb have to say to youT" was a question which attracted the champion's attention next. "Billy Webb is a good sort," was his reply. "He said 'Good-luck. You'll win plenty more races. That's the last go you'll have at me.'" Reverting to the race, Arnst said: "I went over at the mile and washed him. I thought the world's sculling championship was in the balance, and it was all in the game. I want you to say how indebted I am to my trainer and assistants, Fogwell, Nelson, and Floyd. Put in a special word for the cook," he continued.

Asked about his future intentions, Arnst said he would row wherever the most money was available. He was rowing to make money, and would go wherever it promised best. WEBB'S OPINION OF THE RACE. Webb, interviewed on arrival at his boatshed at Aramoho, was by no means downcast over the event, and, though he did not know the time taken, he considered the race a fast one. H.e thought Arnst had won rather easily, and he did not appear to have extended himself much. "Although not pumped at the finish, I had put in the best I was capable of," said Webb, "and I am satisfied Arnst was too fast for mc. He deserves to win after the pace he got on. He got quick off the mark, and was half a length ahead the first six strokes. That, however, did not bother mc, as I had never won a race from the jump."

When the rowers ranged up to the umpire's boat after the race, Mr. Tuck said: "Never mind, Billy, you were beaten this time." To which Webb replied. "It was one of the hardest and most honourable races I have ever rowed."