ENGLISH SCULLERS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3496, 20 September 1882, Page 4

ENGLISH SCULLERS IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

.Additional impetus will be given to rowing in the colonies by the fact that two English scullers will take part in the contest for the Frank Punch trophy, to be rowed on the Parrainatfa Eirer, New South Wales, on the 3rd, sth, and 7th of next month, the prizes for "Which have been increased to £500. George Perkins accompanied Laycock and Pearce in the t-orata, and with them was George Fern, a celebrated swimmer, who came out in charge of Largan's boat, and who is going to act as Largan's trainer. The latter will arrive by the next mail steamer from San Francisco. Concerning Perkins, ' Charon,'in the Sydney Mail, states that he is a well-known and rising sculler, that he intends taking part in the Punch contest, and is anxious to arrange some matches during his stay in Sydney. He is a native of Kotherhithe, on the Thames, and is now twenty-three years of age, and has figured as a rower before the public for the last three years. He beat Paskett for £20 a-side, Collins £30 a-side, and Smith £40 a-side, all second-class but well-known rowers on the Thames. His last race was with Bright-wall, by whom he was beaten.

Perkins i 3 said to row in much, the same style as Hanlan, and although he has not developed exceptional speed, he is looked upon as a coming man. He is thick set and well knit, about the average height, and rows when in condition a little over lOst. The boat that he has bought is a splendid craft, by Swaddle and Winship, 30ft 6in in length, beam 10in, and tho outriggers have a spread of 4ft 8-J-in. The boat is fitted with an invention of Clasper's called a ' fid,' a kind of fin placed on the keel about 2ft from the stern. The ' fid ' is about 15in in length, and 3in wide in the middle, and tapering towards the ends. The swivels are beautifully finished, and of the same style as those used by Hanlan, and which have been already described a3 lately brought into use by the Mercantile Rowing Club (N.S.W.) and Mr Walker, of the Albert Park Rowing Club (Victoria). Perkins has left a pair with Edwards, the well-known boat-builder on the Yarra. His sculls, of which he has three pairs, are by Warm, of Toronto, and aie of rather a novel pattern, the loom being much larger than those of the sculls generally used ; the buttons are sewn instead of nailed on, and the wood is of picked spruce. Perkins is expected to remain in New South Wales about nine months, after which he intends returning to England •to compete for the Doggett coat and badge.—' Argus.'