SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 112, 4 February 1908, Page 5

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

AN. -ANIMATED .'SCENE..; . (n't iKiEORArn—srECUL correspondent.) • Wanganui, February 3. • What is termpd an animated srenc pve- ' center) itself to the eyes of critics on Sunday moriiiiig. Some fifteen, scullers, famous and obsqire, were out, in addition to a flotilla of fours, hnd pairs, and provided t(iiite a lively spectacle ,for the larjte crowd of supporters of both tides. who,, tempted by the beautiful morn!!;.!', turned out to line; the bank of tlio river and, take stock of the scullers. There isir.o doubt fliat Webb's 1 success 'in"bringing ■ tho ■'title jo the MaoriJand's Rhine has given fenllihj a. big fillip here; and if ho retains it for. li few years tre may , expcct'to sec. quite a. "(;6od crop, of aspiring young amateurs, and perhaps a promising professional or two.

_ ■Tressidor and Ford .rowod tin the., river to Sparrow Cliff and back, dome eight miles, and,, a,s: usual, the big Australian was rowing better at; the cud than at the beginning of the spin. The. characteristic of Trcssidcr is beginning tb; iriake people think and wonder if 011 the day "of the raco lie will make Webb 'travel faster-the'furtlier he goes., • : . Webb came down the river witli ■ Green, and bii the return journey had also the company •of* M'Donald,- who is showing rapid improvement, and, if he goes to Napier next month, may'-possibly keep .the best. of them moving. However,; Webb, rowing in a graceful style with; ii , powerful swinging stroke, had 110 difficulty in holding his two pacers.. This (Monday) morning nothing out of' the common ' was: noticed' in Tressider's work beybjnd the fact that he tho undoubted improvement which has been fioticeablei in him sinco his arrival. Webb's work •this,'.itaornihg consisted, of'a seren-mile row. in two ,miles 'of which: lie showed, a good bit of work. He came down the river for a spin over smooth water in Putiki lieach, ■ where a , couple.-of 1 fast miles were left behind. Leaving the. bridge, and striking 30, ho went off, at a great rate, gradually slowing to 26 as lie overhauled Green; who had been given a fair 'start; ;■ Turning,.'without, stopping, lie came back at from 27 to 28, picked up Green, and 'returned: to •■the bridge, showing a.'fuie turn of speed. The flutter.over, the champion then sculled leisurely..back- to his -.quarters at ' Arnmbho. ..The "go" greatly, impressed those who saw it, and quite dispelled doubts as to Webb's condition: Evidently he is. ih* splendid nick,"' and, . when he reaches', the top .of his form the' man who leads him liorrie will bs the uyond-beater. : i ' ; -

Giebn, in l a. new boat, showed much' improved form this morning, and;, though outclassed by the big gun showed good pace 011 the whole, and-may-yet- be.heard of in amateur championOn .'.Monday, next,,' Webb,, his "trainer! and pacer, go.-into camp at : Kaiivhniki, and will occupy the same' ground as when -Webb, pitched ' ,1S i 'for his final rows 'preparatory to tackling, Starib'iiry. ■:, ■ Tressider and ,his" party. fo!!ow liiih up the da '\ "»<' ""ill make the t-hi P° n " a r° their headquarters. .little wagering has.yet 'taken place on the race, i though a few ,bets are-reported, both men having a certain amount, of;followers...