THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

Press, Volume XXXI, Issue 4290, 30 April 1879, Page 3

THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

The form whioh William Elliott, of Blyth, displayed in the contest with Higgins on February 17th, haa once more drawn attention to the fact that the highest aquatic title, the Championship of the World, still remains with Edward Trickett, of Sydney, Australia, and we should be glad to hear that a movement had been started to send tbe present champion of England to the antipodes to endeavor to bring back the proud distinction of which this country was deprived when Joseph H. Sadler suffered defeat. In an informal sort of way the subject has during the week been under the consideration of Elliott's backers, and we believe that the Blyth sculler will forego all other engagements in order to have an opportunity of measuring blades with Trickett. James Taylor, too, has expressed his willingness to acoempany him on his long voyage as professional trainer, but the heavy expenses which wiUhave to be incurred-—somewhere about £300, independent of the stake, itis estimated would cover the venture—is now, as it has been before, the stumbling block. The question, however, is a national one, and must be taken up in a national spirit if it is to be successfully accomplished. There must be a combination of all the supporters of aquatics in the country, and there has been so much liberality on the put of patrons «f sport in the past that the difficulty of raising the requisite sum should certainly not prove insurmountable in the present. We should, therefore, be glad to hear that a subscription list has been opened with a view of raising the necessary amount. The question was brought forward on Thursday afternoon at Messrs James Percy and Co.'s, the Garrick's Head, Newcastle, to which establishment most of the company who had seen Higgins away adjourned. Mr J. EL Baird, in acknowledging the toast of " The South Country Scullers," said that, although he was one who had persisted in his support of the Thames men, yet he waa an Englishman; and when it became a question of England against America or Australia he would always be found on the ride of the representative of the old country, it mattered not in whose "school" he might happen to be. [Hear, hear/] After referring to the very clever defeat of Higgins by Elliott, and tbe qualities of the latter as a sculler, he said another great honor yet re-

mained for the Blyth man to attain. The Championship of the World belonged naturally to England, and he fully expected that such great sportsmen as Lord Londesborough and Lord Dcciet, Mr Charles Bush, and others, would take up the question of sending Elliott to Australia for the honor of tbe old country. The sentiment waa received with great applause, and Elliott afterwards expressed his entire willingness to do all that was in his power to bring back to England the Championship of the World.