THE SCULLING RACE.

Bush Advocate, Volume XXI, Issue 300, 23 June 1909, Page 4

THE SCULLING RACE.

♦ Tho contest between two .sturdy Now Zealanders, held at Wanganui yesterday for the sculling championship of the world, was an event of much interest in athletic circles. Rowing is an essentially "clean" sport, and has always had attractions for people of the British race, as the great contests of the past have proved. In the match decided yesterday, after such a memorable struggle, there were several features of interest, the principal one of course- being the fact that it wa*s the second trial between two great oarsmen. In the first encounter Webb was at a physical disadvantage, and it is claimed that for . the latter part of the race he had practically only the use or one arm. When, therefore, it was found that Webb had made a full recovery, and was prepared to again enter the lists with His former conqueror, it was considered certain that a battle royal would result. Another feature ! that, gave an added interest to the i match was the question of the bona fides of the competitors. A sinister rumour gained currency that the match had been "arranged" for the AVanganui man. The rumour proved' to be absolutely without foundation, and the race resolved itself into a magnificent struggle for the supremacy, in whicli Webb had agaiii to acknowledge defeat by the champion Arnst. It was a great fight, in which the motile of the two oarsmen was given a most conclusive trial, ancl the better man won. Arnst will be now justified in going further afield, and his strength and skill having been so fully proved, it may be expected that he will worthily uphold his past prowess in any future contest.