SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 5, 7 January 1922, Page 7

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

ARNST OUT FOR GOOD. THE NEXT CONTEST. (Special to "SUr.") WANGANTJI, Friday. Dick Arnst was approached to-day by a supporter who offered to put up half the stake money if Dick would row Hadfield again. Arnst replied that he was done with the game as a participant in such races. He recognised that it was time for him to retire after making such an exhibition as he did yesterday on top of the splendid form he had shown in some of his trials, which proved him to be as good as ever. The only explanation for his poor showing he considered was that he had gone dead stale. Hannan, who claims to be entitled to tho next race with Hadfield, has already half the stake money in hand, and is hopeful of raising the balance within a few days, in which case he must, according to the rules, get the first chance. The next raw is sure to be held at Wan.Tanui, the general impression being that no other course in the world is superior, and no other place in the Dominion offers better facilities for patronage, and making the proposition a financial one. Both Hadfield and Arnst ate most generous in their praise of Wanganui for sculling championship races. The poor showing of Arnst in the race has been the subject of much discussion. His trials were so good that no one ever anticipated that he would be left behind so early in the race. It is now contended that he had gone stale, and ample evidence of this was given in his belaboured strokes and faulty rowing. Great enthusiasm was shown to-night at the paying over of the stakes. The Prime Minister telegraphed te> Hadfield as follows:—"I most heartily congratulate you on your meritorious win in yesterday's contest and on securing the blue riband of the sculling world. I remember with pleasure our meeting in Paris in the early part of 1919 when the New Zealand eight, of which you were a conspicuous member, carried off the championship of the Seine. I hope you will long be the proud possessor of the title that you have now achieved and retain the world's championship for New, Zealand." The paying over of the stakes in eionneiction with the sculling championship took place at a social gathering to-nieht and was attended by a large number. Hadfield said that he did not leave the amateur ranks for money, but because he wanted to get to the top of the tree. He still felt the amateur spirit, but expenses were heavy and so the stake was part of the game. So far as the race was concerned he did not think Arnst was at his best and he hoped he would be able to put up as good a sculling record as Arnst.

In the course of his reply Arnst declared that the Wanganui coarse was the best in the world and that the next best was the Zambesi.