THE SCULLING CHAMPION.

Evening Star, Issue 14036, 17 April 1909, Page 8

THE SCULLING CHAMPION.

WEBB’S CHALLENGE TO BE ACCEPTED. [Peb United Pbess Association.] CHRISTCH URfiH, April 17. At a meeting of 11. Arnst’s guarantors last evening it was unanimously decided that Arnst .should accept Webb’s challenge to row for the world’s championship and £SOO , a side. There was some discussion as to where the race should be rowed, the people of Akaroa having offered very substantial inducements to the present champion to row the race at Akaroa. While Amst naturally desired to eliminate as far as possible the chance of weather conditions, which in an open harbor might render the result of the race more a matter of luck than ' sculling ability, eventually it was decided that an endeavor be made to have the championship race rowed in Canterbury, as Arnst is now recognised as a Canterbury representative. Mr 11. Heaton Rhodes, M.P., one of Amst’s guarantors, proceeded to Dunedin to-day to negotiate with Sir James Mills (managing director of the Union Stem Ship Com pan y) in regard to the transport of spectators toi and from Akaroa in the event of the race being decided there. The final decision as to the place at which the race shall be rowed will largely depend upon the result of these negotiations.. Seen by a reporter last night, R. Arnst stated that he was feeling particularly fit, and was anxious that the championship should be rowed with as little delay as possible. He anticipated that the date to be fixed for the race would be towards the end of May, and he proposes to go into active training at once. His trainers will be Floyd, his brother (J. Arnst), and his pacemaker (Fogwell). The race will decide whether he or Webb shall fulfil engagements already entered into by him to row Durnan in Canada in August and Barry in England the following month for £I,OOO a side. '

In conversation with a reporter last evening. J. Arnst, who had just returned from Dunedin after a successful attempt upon the Christchurch-Dun-edin cycling record, stated it was his intention in the near -future 'to follow the example of his brother, R. Arnst, end take up the sport of sculling in preference to cycling. Meantime, he intended to act as one of his brother’s trainers in order to gain some practical experience in rowing.