ROWING

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 107, 1 November 1913, Page 14

ROWING

(By "Scull.")

Interest in rowing is being centred on tho soulling race for the championship of Australia and £200 a-side, between Dick Arnst, ex-champion of the world, and James Paddon, ohampion of Australia. The race takes place to-day on the Parramatta River. Not only is the meeting of the scullers fraught with much interest in itself but it attracts greafer attention because it is almost certain that the winner will be matched against Barry next year. Mr, George Upward, who saw Arnst row Barry on the Thames for the championship of the world, has recently been on the Parramatta to see the scullers at work, and is of the opinion that Arnst is a very different man from the one ho aaw oppose the world's champion. Both scullers are reported to be in excellent condition and in the best of health. Being tremendously powerful men, and understanding all about swing and legdrive, they are enabled to get heaps of "top" on the water. Arnst's style has not of late pleased the eye of many onlookers, but his determination and stamina surprise everyone. Paddon's sculling has < strengthened considerably, and his tactics are just those with which to meet Arnsfs game. His grim determination and robust stylo of sculling will_ possibly draw from Arnst the most spirited effort ever seen on the Parramatta. There was a further defection, of amateur oarsmen to the ranks of professionalism recently (states the Daily Telegraph, Sydney). It was definitely announced that H. Hauenstcin. who was a member of the Australian crew that won the Challenge Cup at Henley last year, and also represented Australia at tho Olympic^ carnival at Stockholm, had thrown in his lot with the. professionals, and had decided to take part in four-oar crew races on the Parramatta River under the auspices of tho Parramatta River Professional Sculling Club. Several other more or less well-known amateur ecullers havo seceded from the ranks of amateurism. Money is evor the cry with amateur sporting bodies. Associations and clubs are at their -vyit's ends to know where and how to raise funds to carry out various schemes. Why should there b© always this constant wail? Because the English Amateur Rowing Association and the Australian Rowing Association rfhave tho amateur definition, set in reinforced concrete. To_ be a perfect amateur — which means paying entirely for one's sport. and pleasure — might suit some clubs, but not the poor clubs. > It is likely that the spread of professionalism may affect rowing everywhere unless rules are altered and innovations introduced to preserve to the full the pleasure-sporting element. The Shore Ciub has (states the Auckland Star) had a large accession of new members this year, most of them novices of a very promising^ class. Special care is being taken #to initiate th© recruits in the art and science of outrigger rowing, the older members being thoroughly alive to their obligations in this respect. It is significant of the prosperity and officiont management of the club that the sum of £275 has just been expended in new boate and oara of the. best kind, and with tho season to go the overdraft as only £90. _ Ther© has been a complete spring cleaning in tho ehed, and every boat is in first-class order. The Waitemata'B new boathouse will be finished about the middle of December. The contract has been signed, and the builder haß already ordered the material — to cost £550. It will be a handsome structure, und well appointed in every way. , The rowing season in Wanganui is now fairly started. Training for club races is being pursued with keenness. Novices are, however, kept separate from experienced men, and coached in coaohing boats. To-day, and the best part of next week, the Star Boating Club and the Wellington Rowing Club will be holding several club races. Asthe orews havo had about a month's training, tho racing should prove close and interesting. The death of Mr. R. A. M'Kenzie, which took place on Sunday (says the Southland News) will be received with sorrow. Many months ago ho went to tho hospital to undergo an operation. He was then, apparently, in robust healthy and a bpeedy discharge from tho institution was anticipated. That was the beginning of a long and trying illness, from which the plucky little oarsman never _ recovered. His strength gradually, failed, and the end came last Sunday.^ He was a member of the Railway Rowing Club from its commencement, and took a lively interest in its affairs right up to tho timo of his death. '