SCULLING

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 March 1922, Page 3

SCULLING

TH E WORLD ’ S CHA MIRON SHI P. WANGANUI, March 16. Quite an interesting little ceremony took place up the river this morning, when Darcy Hadfield, champion oarsman of the world, and Junies I’addon of Kiclimond River, New South Wales (who is seeking the title), signed articles agreeing to race for the world’s sculling championship and £5OO. Tho ceremony took place at Paddon's camp in the presence of members of the sculling committee and .Press representatives. The articles provide for the race being rowed on the Wanganui River on ’.l’ttesday, April 18, and fix the hour of starting at or about 3.15 p.m. Immediately after the signatures had been attached to flic agreement, Hadfield turned to Paddon, and said: ‘‘Shake hands, Jim; I hope we will both be able to go to the post fit and well, that the conditions of the weather and water will be good, and that the better man will win.” ’I he New South M'elshinan replied : “I. hope the race will be a fair test, and that nothing will happen to interfere in any way with the good fellowship existing between us all. I would be very sorry to win the race on a foul or in any way except on my merits. Maj- we both be at our best

the day, and may tho better man wia." As soon as the agreement was signed the stakeholder was handed £lOO on behalf of each man, making £2OO per man. Another £lOO for each man lias to be paid to him on Tuesday, /March 28, and the fourth and final deposit of £2OO on Tuesday, April 11, making the total amount of each subscription £5OO. Mr. AV. AA ebb, of AA’anganui, exchampion sculler of the world, has been appointed referee, and Messrs AV. 11. Cooper, AV. H. Swanger, and A. S. C. Andersen judges. The refi'ree has been given power to warn either of the scullers by means ot a . megaphone of any impending danger t arising from overhanging trees, floating timber, or from any cause what--1 over likely to prejudice the chances L of either man. r V hen the commercial part of the ’ business had been transacted, ILad- ' field and Paddon went for a row, the 1 latter being accompanied by his pacemakers, Larsen and Casey. The champion did the full course on his ‘ own. The challenger also went over j the full course, rowing at about 22 to 1 the minute. There is no doubt that the styles 1 of the men arc entirely different, ami tho contrast was very noticeable Io ’ those who saw them in action this " morning. Paddon is putting more ' ginger into his work, and it is quite ’ evident, that he. is steadily recovering ’ from his recent indisposition. The improvement, during the past few days is most marked, and if he continues to make the same progress Paddon is going to make the race a clinker. Hadfield, who never looked better or rowed better than he did to-day, is to have bis pacer co-operating with him next week.