PAYING THIS STAKES.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1202, 10 August 1911, Page 6

PAYING THIS STAKES.

ARNST AND OTHER CHAMPIONS. There was a large gathering of rowing men at Bateman's Hotel, Sydney, on August 1, when tho stakes in the ArnstPearce race for the championship of the world were paid over. Mr. John Spencer, one of the oldest supporters of the sport in Australia, occupied the chair. The chairman said he had been connected with rowing for thirty-live years, and during that time had never seen a better race-than that lx'tween Arnst and Pearee. It was full of merit from start to finish, and one of the most honourable races that had been rowed on the Parramatta River. (Applause.) Mr. Andrews paid over the stakes, and in doing so said they i had broken all gale records since the days of William Beach. Mr. William Beach, in proposing the health of tho winner, said he did not know of any man in Australia who was capable of beating Arnst. Pearco had been their best man, and a very honourable one. Dick Arnst, in responding, said that at one part of the race he was shaking in his shoes, for it seemed almost certain that they would foul. Pearcc had rowed a great race; and if lie was tired and gone in the legs, so was he (Arnst). He was anxious for more races, and would be pleased to row any sculler on the Parramatta River. However, if ho was asked to go outside the Commonwealth, ho would claim a pretty stiff price. Some people objected to him asking £750 to go to England, but he did not think it was too much. His one desire was to win more championships than Bill Beach had done. (Applause.) Mr. George Towns proposed "Tho Loser." Harry Pearee, in responding, said that prior to the. race he told his backers that Arnst would have to. break twenty to win, and he thought ho had justified himself. He had no excuses to make: He was in the best of health and conditioii, and had great confidence in his ability to win. It was true he could havo fouled Arnst, but he had no desire to win fhe race in that manner. He had every confidence in himself at that stage, and was anxious to win the race outright if he could. (Applause.)

A number of other toasts were honoured, and. the chairman, on behalf of Mr. M'Leod, presented Mr. William Beach with the pair of rowlocks which he used on the first occasion on which he beat Hanlun.