SCULLING.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13397, 14 April 1909, Page 3

SCULLING.

FOGWELL v. WHELCH

Tho paying over of the stakes in connection with the race between Fogwell and Whelch for the sculling championship of New Zealand, took place in tho interval of a concert at the Oddfellows' Hall, Akaroa, on Monday evening. There«"was a crowded house, and proceedings were of a tclost enthusiastic nature. Mr R. Heaton Rhodes, M.P., in handing over tho stakes, said he had attended: many gatherings in Akaroa, hut none which gave him such pleasure as th© ono of that night. They had seen a good race, and he was happy .to hand tho. stakes* to one. who was ono of themselves. It pleased him, as Peninsula born, to give the stakes to a Peninsula man. They knew "Whelch from childhood), and though. be had-lost'a race in Australia, they still thought him worthy of confidence and' support. • (Applause.) It was also gratifying to know that the three champions. Arnst, Whelch, and! Webb, were of their own and neighbouring districts, and they all felt proud of them. Whelch's win in Akaroa would mean futuro races there. They aU, hoped to tee another race, and! probably the race for tho world's ohampionsliip would take place in Akaroa. The Umon Company bad seen the large numbers who came that day, arid l larger numbers would! come to the other event. They were all proud of Whelch, and' he felt sure that bne who had shown s_oh pluck and perseverance must succeed in higher things. (Continued applause.) Whelch. who was received with cheers, thanked; Mr Rhodes for • his kindly remarks. He said that he was proud to have won, and that his victory was in a great measure due to Webb's care and training. Sculling was not easy work. As to the race, it was a hard one up to a mile and' a half, and he had never met a truer sport and strr.ighter man than Fogwell. (Cheers for Whelch and FogweJi.) Fogwell was accorded a great reception. He said he wished he stood' in Whelch's place that night," but one had l to lose. He had! enjoyed his stay in Akaroa, had met with kindness all round, and' wished to specially mention that of Messrs Halliduy and Vangioni. He would do all he could to i„d_o© Arnst to row the championship in Akaroa. (Applause.) Arnst was next called for. He expressed thanks for the trca.tn.ent accorded him d-ring his stay in Akaroa. He said that if the Union Company would be reasonable, he would row in Akaroa, but he had! to consider the gate, as preparation for a race was expensive, and he had to do bis best to make provision for expenses in the event of defeat. Webb had to respond to a call. He said he was pleased to have helped the winner, and he had a great respect for Fogwell, wlio was a true sport in every sense of the word. After repeated calls, Mr L. J. Vangioni went on the stage. He said 1 he had placed his shed at Fogwe.l's dis-pos-1, and would do so to Arnst should he row there. (Cheers.) The proceedings then terminated.