AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 231, 28 September 1915, Page 8

AQUATICS.

WEBB COMES BACKTTie match between \V. Webb and P. Hannan, on Friday at Wangamii. for the championship of New Zealand. proved a very one eided affair, Webb winning «ith the most ridiculous ea*c by gome fifteen lengths. The ex-c.harnpion of the world stripped in the pink of condition, showing his ability to come back in no uncertain manner. He was somewhat heavier than usual, hie trainer, T. Atkinson, one of the best in Australasia in preparing men for athletic contests, having built him up considerably, without having him in any way fat. Hie opponent also stripped well, bis bronzed apprarance being in marked contrast to Webb's fainirs*. Hannan. however, wa* never in the bunt, and has a whole lot to learn yet. before he can expect to have a look in with men any way nenr first clues. He does not strike the water cleanly, his rijrlit scull in particular making a RTjf splash, while he finished his stroke with a decided jerk, which hod the elTect of burying his boat almost bow under. His recovery was very slow. And his reason for cabling to Harry Floyd to come across and assist him in his training was soon apparent after the race started, for he shaped little better than a novice. After the race some excuse was advanced for his poor showing, in the fact that the cartilage of the knee had Rone, which interfered Tjrith hie leg work, but it must have mended quickly, for he showed no signs of the injury while walking in the town on the evening of the race.

Webb's work in hie boat was as near perfection as possible, and so pleased were, his supporters with hin fine exhibition that a challenge is to b« issued on his behalf to row C. Towns on the WanKanni as early as possible. Although Webb was beaten by Arn*t and others, expert* incline to the opinion that on present form he would bf> the most likely man in AiiKtralasia to defeat Barry for the world's championship. This view is advanced by the reason that the YVanganuite is such a splendid waterman, while his weight would also be in his favour in a race on the Thames, which most people agree is decidedly against heavy men. However, with Barry at the front, there i» very little chance of anything doing in this directioa.

ROWING. AUCKLAND CLUBS YEAR. FORTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT. The annual meeting of the Auckland Rowing Club will be held at the Sports Club on Thursday night, when the fortysixth annual report will oe presented to the member*. The report notes that owing to the great drain on the membership through ready volunteering for active service with the Expeditionary Force, the receipt* of the club have «uffered in consequence. Expi-nse.i were reduced where possible, and the balancesheet shows a rtrong financial position. SOUND FINANCIAL POSITION. During the year £78 w»s paid on account of plant purchased last year, and £32 wa» paid for oars. Current prices arc 50 per cent in advance of those ruling when the oars were purchMed. After providing for depreciation on the plant', the excess of iisaetß over liabilities is jC 266. The new nhed fund amounts to £265, which in bearing interest, the trustees having arranged admirable bernu. PLANT IN OOOD ORDEH. The club'a first-rate plant in in excellent condition. The now Edw-ardis , practi»e fours and the recently-purchased convertible douMe-ecullers arc in firstcUm ordrr. A ttock of Ayling oars and senile arrived during the Reason and the two practice scullers were of at a satisfactory figure. The plant comprises an eight-oar, a beatand-best four, a clinker racing four, four practice, four*, two practice convertible double scullers, and a pleasure ho.it. BOATHOUSF. ARRANGEMENTS.

If the expectations of the committee had been realised. thi« year would have seen the club with an up-to-date shed situated near the end of Julian* wall. When the final building arrangements were being made, the Harbour Board ollicials intimated that they could not effect delivery of the requisite wooden piles, the available stock having Invn u*«'d on the Board's Several work*. Pilej could not be purchased anywhere at a reasonable prut*. The waterfront wu searched for a suitable shed, and the only one procurable was situated between iico. Sterol's yard and thr Kauri TimSer I o.'s mill. Arranjcroent* were made with the owners, and the renovation of the -.ji-.i i» now in hand. The temporary site has its disadvantages, but inemU-rs are asked to make the best of the petition in the meantime. ROWING ACTIVITIES. The dub wan represented at most ol the regattas, securing a rlr*t at Ngamawahia, a second and third at the A.R.A. regatta, and a third at Mercer. The active membership stand* at .V). the roll having been depleted through the great number «ho have enlisted with the force abroad. The committee extends hearty congratulations to t':io»e who have gone to the front. Club races during the season were rowed for trophies pre tented by the president, the commodore, the vice-commodore. Mr Kobn, Mr Schmidt. Mr Than. Kinlay. Captain Somerville. Mr T. Haye«, the club member*, and the old member*. IN MEMORIAM. ■Reference in made in the report to the death of the president I Mr \V. lolcman), who had held oftioe from 1902. The genial and helpful personality of Che late Mr Colcman wan a vital factor in th* social life and sportsmanlike standing of the club in Auckland. Mention ia «Jno made of the death on active service of Gunner Walter E. CUrkc, late secretary, whose eunny personality had endeared him to the members. Other past and recent members who have made the uupreme nacrtflce in the Empire's jiiitt »*»r are. Lieutenant S. M. P*inc, and Me»ar». V. S, Binn*. E. Dro-.vcr, W. S. Primrose, and E. Pierce. Among the wounded are Captain F. A. Wood IXJJ.S.C.I, Meears. ,1. C. Brook, H. Burnard. N. Challis, •*. Hally, P. M. Hanna. C. Promgool. W. Jamieson, J. Me.ikin, and L. F. Wileon. An enlarged photo of the late' president «ill be preiented to the club, by Mr 0. R. Hogan. THANKS. Tlie club expressed thanks to Messr*. .J. Williams (e:;-champion pairoa.r). and .1. Carder, for valuable work in coaching, and to Mr .lark Lovctt (an active member), for devoted service in tie nunc connection.