SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 115, 7 February 1908, Page 9

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

ARNST'S CHALLENCE. SIGNS OK QUICKENING INTEREST.. 1 (.BV IEI.r.GR.U'U—SrF.CI.U; COIIItESrONBEST.) Wanganul, February 6. • Muoli interest and lively anticipations are caused by, the news that Avnsfc may bo expected to put in an appearance on the Wanganui rivor next week. He will probably go into training. Tlio Canterbury man has already issued a challenge to tho winner of tho Webb-Trossider race, and his coming to Wanganui may be taken as . indicating an intention to clinch tho matter on the spot by putting up a deposit for the race with tho winner as soon as the judge fires tho gnn. This was what Trcssi'der did when Wohb beat Towns last, August, his agent putting up a deposit with a Press •representative to bind the match on tho umpire's boat, almost, before tho way was off the scullers' boats. All have noard so much of Artist's undeniable power as a sculler, and his wonderful progress, that it may be taken for granted that the appearance of the ox-cyclist in a racing shell; 011 the Wanganui river will furnish ■ opportunity for closo watching and keon criticism. .< Thero was nothing startling about the work of 'Webb and Tressidcr yesterday. Both have brushed up a bit now that the time for tho contest is drawing near, and aro putting in somo faster work than hithorto. When out this .morning tho Australian put in 1 about a milo mid a half fairly fast work fit tlio start, I and then easing down finished tho task at a moro leisurely rate. Ho mndo his boat travel at a ; fairly good- pace-, hut tho work wa3 undeniably rough and the finish ragged; feathering; under water freanent.lv, tho blades also dipping ■ too deep, and tho right going deeper than the left, causing an ugly i rolling ot the boat. So far as fitness is conccrned, no doubt Trcssidcr is in'fine-fettle, arid he is in great.spirits. , Webb did a five-mile spin this , morning, and camo down the river putting in occasional sprints, in which ho showed much brilliancv. Such faults as wero noticeable were very small, and the stylo was marked by much neatness. His boat, ran very sweetly ■and-travelled at'a'clinking pace. Tho champion is- somewhat bothered with boils on one arm, > but they do not affect his pace or . general form, and, his condition is in every way satisfactory; . . .. ■ So far as present appearances go, I still hold to tho opinion' that though-a good race' may be oxpectod, there is, no reason to sup-' po.-'o the championship will re-cross.tho;Tas-inan Sea yet awhile. At tho same time the ohallongor has a not inconsiderable following, and evidences of more support havo been seen tho.last day or two. : . • If only, half tho number como to view the : struggle who have expressed their intention of doing so, it is ,safe to say there will bo a huge crowd on the river banks on Fob- . ruary 25. . 'It 1 is iiinderstood. that.'' a party from the AVcst Coast of the South Island have chartered a steamer to bring them up, wliilo it is 'also reported that some Nelson enthusiasts, have doiio likewise.

" Though {he.*content-is almost three, weeks off- yet, • signs .'of..-quickening interest ' are' already manifest 'hero. Badges; aro already appearing- in shop windows, and probably before many -days the town'will break, into an eruption of blue : ribbon. Already the small boys aro beginning to proudly flaunt : the pale blue colours- of Webb, an -example 'which will no doubt be".copied by the -moro; 'maturoias the days wear on. At the same, time {hero- are a good many, ex-Australians in this district,: who are'as proud of th'o kangaroo as New Zealanders are 1 of the fern, ■ and -judging by their patriotic barracking on, the',occasion of the Webb-Stanbury .race, wo may expect, to sen a. vorjr'.-fair sprinkling sporting tho bliie and white colour of tho challenger. Those (WhotciCn-do'so will find it to their ,'iidvaritago {6' go iip the river as early in the. :mornin» as possible, .unless tlifcy' want to got. left. • It seems certain that' tho trains-on tho.tlay of. tho race will bring' in such large numbers .that tljoir- transport to tho'con-; ■yincing ground \vill .t.sjx the' st'pamejs' to tho' ..utmost, 'and cor.tainl'y"it ; will bo,a.casq,in this instance - .-fchatr;tho. ,early, arrivals, 'will secure tho-best -position' to, view .the ra,ce. '