THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1620, 30 April 1879, Page 4

THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

Tho form which William Elliott, of Blyth, displayed in the contest with Higgins on February 17th, has once more drawn attention to the fact that tho highest aquatic title, the Championship of the World, still remains with Edward Trickett, of Sydney, Australia, and wo should be glad to hear that a movement had been started to send the present champion of England to the antipodes to endeavor to bring back the proud distinction of which this country was deprived when Joseph H. Sadler suffered defeat. In an informal sort of way the subject has during the week been under the consideration of Elliott's backers, and we believe that the Blyth sculler will forego all other engagements in order to have an opportunity of measuring blades with Trickett. James Taylor, too, has expressed his willingness to ace mpany him on his long voyage as professional trainer, but the heavy expenses which will have to be incurred —somewhere about £3OO, independent of the stake, it is estimated would cover the venture—is now, as it has been before, tho stumbling block. Tho question, however, is a national one, and must bo taken up in a national Bpirit if it is to be successfully accomplished. Thoro must bo a combination of all the supporters of aquatics in the country, and there hns been so much liberality on the part of patrons of sport in tho past that tho difficulty of raising the requisite sum should certainly not prove in surmountable in the present. We should, therefore, ba glad to hear that a subscription list has been opened with a view of raising tho necessary amount. The question was brought forward on Thursday afternoon at Messrs James Porcy and Co.'s, the Garrick's Head, Newcastle, to which establishment most of the company who had seen Higgins away adjourned. Mr J. H. Baird, in acknowledging the toast of " The South Country Scullers," said that, although he was one who hud persisted in his support of tho Thames men, yot he was an Englishman ; and when it became a question of England against America or Australia ho would always be found on the side of the representative of the old country, it mattered not in whoso "school" he might happen to be. [Hear, hear.] After referring to tho very clever defeat of Higgins by Elliott, and the qualities of the latter as a sculler, he said another great honor yet remained for the Blyth man to attain. The Championship of the World belonged naturally to England, and he fully expected that such great sportsmen as Lord Londesborough and Lord Decies, Mr Charles Bush, and others, would take up the question of sending Elliott to Australia for the honor of tho old country. The sentiment was received with great applause, and Elliott afterwards expressed his entire willingness to do all that was in his power to bring back to England the Championship of tho World.