RECENT'HOLDERS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2124, 25 February 1908, Page 3

RECENT'HOLDERS

Following is n list of races for tho championship sinco 1890 (tho name of tho river on which tho raco was rowed being given in parontlioscs): — 1890—P. Kemp boat N. Mnttorson (Parramatta), 21min 13Jsoc. 1890—P. Kemp beat. J. McLoau (Parramatta), 21min -lGJsoc. 1890— J. McLean beat P. Komp (Parramatta), 22min ISsoc. IS9I—J. Stanbury boat J. McLean (Parramatta), 22miu 15’soc. 1891— J. Stanbury boat J. McLean (Parramatta), lSniin 25sec (full course not rowed). 1892 J. Stanbury bent T. Sullivan (Parramatta), • 18mm 261 sec (full course not rowed).

IS96—J. Stanbury boat C. Harding (Tlinmes), 21min Msec, IS9B—J. Gndnur beat J. Stanbury (Thames), 23min Isoc. IS9S—J. Gndnur beat R. Johnson (Vancouver); 20min 5 4-ssec. 1901—G. Towns boat J. Gadaur (Canada), 20min 30sec. 1904—G. Towns boat R. Tresidder (Parramatta), 21min 4S 4-sseo. 190 G—J. Stanbury beat G. Towns (Parramatta), 19min 47sec. 1906—G. Towns beat J. Stanbury (Parramatta), 19min 531 sec.

1907—G. Towns beat Dunum (Penrith). 22iniu 27sec. 1907—W. Webb boat C. Towns (Parramatta), 20min 4osec.

WEBB THE FAVORITE., BOTH MEN CONFIDENT. Press Association. WAtNGANUL February_24. The town is crowded with visitors to watch tlie sculling race to-mor-row, and the trains are arriving all crowded. Tresidder and Webb did their final work yesterday, the former doing a couple of rows, with w few sprints. The latter did a sprint or two in the morning, and in the afternoon a fairly solid row over the full course. It is understood that Webb had a satisfactory trial over the full course on Saturday, greatly pleasing his friends. 'Both men are confident, and should strip to-morrow in the pink of condition. Considerable wagering is being indulged in, and the betting rules G to I on Webb. THE FINAL SPINS. STERLING TRIAL BY WEBB. TOWN ALREADY CROWDED. Press Association. WANGANUI, Feb ruar.v 24. The weather promises to be excellent for the world's sculling championship to be decided to-morrow. People bare been pouring into town the main streets of which are crowded to-night. From what can bo gathered from Webb and Tresidder the contest should 1)A vtery exciting. It is known that Wobb put up a trial against the watch, which, if 10peated to-morrow, must make him the winner. He is in the pink of condition, and his friends are sanguine about his success, .Tresidder is equally confident, and he lias done some good work, and liis trainer, whp has been intimately acquainted with during all his athletic career, says he was never in better fettle, and barring accidents must win.

Webb iwas not out oil tho river today, hut Tresidder did two short rows.

WHO WILL WIN? A COMPARISON. (Special to Times.t AYANGANUI, Feb. 24. It is really impossible for anyone to say with any degree of certainty who will prove the victor to-morrow. The performances of both challenger and champion arc quoted bv the knowing ones, but any comparison of these past performances might be quite misleading as to to-morrow’s race. Both men seem equally confident of victory. Tresidder is just a stone heavier than Webb, and lie will row at 12st 81b, which lie regards as his best rowing height. Ho has put in some very hard work during his training, and appears to be a determined man, so that he is likely to fight to a finish. He is certainly a strong sculler. AA’ebb is also in the pink of condition, and there is no doubt that within the past month or two he lias greatly improved in style. It is generally admitted that he has a better style of sculling than lias Tresidder, and granted that- lie has as much strength and staying power as the challenger, his style should bring him home a winner. The element of doubt comes in regard to the physical question, and as AA'ebb lias never been really‘hard pressed in any of his big races, this must remain undecided till after to-morrow’s race. In addition to a superior style, AA’ebb has another advantage: lie is in the prime of life, while Tresidder is beyond the year at which an athlete is supposed to be at his best. AVhether or not Tresidder has the strength and stamina to counterbalance these advantages remains to be seeen. AYanganui authorities say that he ihas not that, and that AA’ebb will win. and win easily. One thing is certain, that if he does, AA’anganui will be a good place to be out of to-morrow night, while if he loses —well, there will be no need for prayers for rain.

THE MAN OF THE HOUR

PRESSMEN'S .PREDICAMENT

(Special to Times.) AVANGANUI, Feb. 24. The one man in AA'anganui at the present moment seems to be Mr. AA r rn. Tuck, hotelkeeper, and backer of AA r ebb. Mayors and Ms.P. and tho Premiers are not an it with Mr. Tuck. The arrangements in connection with the press seem to have been left largely i.n the bands of Air. Tuck, and were qf such an unsatisfactory nature that this morning an indignation meeting of visiting pressmen was held. Air. Tuck \as waited upon, and in due course more satisfactory arrangements wore aaue for a few who were on the spot. In regard to others who caino by the express trains to-day, Mr. Tuck was adamant. He informed them that lie wanted to make “a little bit” out of it, and he had no tickets for them ; indeed, he seemed to have a special dispensation from Providence to make a charge to the unsuspecting strangers for viewing the .glories of the Wanganui River. The representatives of such journals, as the London Times, the Christchurch Press, Otago Daily Times, and other papers were refused tickets, while others npr pearly so important received them, ■ Generally speaking, the arrangements are capable or considerable improvement, and it would not be surprising, if trouble ensued before the diy is over tomorrow.