THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXII, Issue LXII, 2 August 1911, Page 6

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

William Webb, of Wanganui, challenged Towns of New South Wales, To success some thought his chances were remote. For New Zealand in acquatics had been lagging up till then, And had not produced a sculler much of note. Nothing daunted at the prestige that Australians had acquired, And the honors that the sport on them bestowed, Webb resolved to try conclusions with the best they had, and won, 'Twas for money and the title that he rowed. y There were cheers and great rejoicings when the news of victory came, There was cause for much rejoicing, it is true, And it showed that playing football's not our one and only game, And we talked of, what New Zealanders can do. Webb by Arnst was soon defeated on the Wanganui stream, At the sculling game some knowledge Dick had showed; Though he seemed an easy winner, he assured us one! and all, That he rowed the hardest race he ever rowed. But the victor and the vanquished were destined to meet again, For the fanciers of Webbs weren't satisfied ; Tliat their man could be defeated, and they planked the money down, For another sculling contest —to decide. Off the scullers went to battle, on the Wanganui course, And the vulgar said "Webb pulled for all he knowed." Arnst upheld his reputation by the vie- % tory that he gained, But he's rowed the hardest race he ever rowed. Little Whelch of Akaroa had a thirst for sculling fame, and to beat the doughiy champion he aspired, People said, "At any rate, the little bloke is game," But at sculling more than gameness is required. Whelch seemed but a pigmy for the task he took in hand, And, compared to Arnst, no bigger than a toad:. Yet when Richard romped home victor, he assured*" us once again, That he rowed the hardest race he ever rowed. "Dick" and "dollars" is synonymous — or most congenial friends — "I will journey where the money is," says he, "I will reap the golden harvest, while the sun shines I'll make hay," And for that, we know, he crossed the briny sea, On a silent stretch of water, in the wilds of Afri-cay, Which is known to be the crocodiles abode. He defeated! sculler Barry, but it was an awful "go," For he rowed the hardest race he ever rowed. \ Still they came! the very latest in the field is Harry Pearce. He of Sydney, where the harbor is sublime ; • It is on the Parramatta that the contest's to be fought, . And some said that "Dick will strike a'snag this time." But the great event's just over, and the cable says he's won, And of honors Richard now has got a load; ' But I'll bet my bottom dollar, when all details come to hand. That he's rowed the hardest race he ever rowed. But success can't last for ever, aud the champions come and go, Let us hope New Zealand oarsmen prove the best, And retain the cherished laurels in the realms of manly sport, Father Time, we know, • to. each will do the rest, When our present sculling champion has to meet at last defeat, When he finds from him the tide of victory's flowed, Even then, I think, New Zealand will be proud of doughty "Dick," If he rowed the hardest race he ever rowed! T C T "The Diyil's Glen." (Our poet's prophecy in the sixth verse —for it was written before the full report came through—was speedily verified. "Arnst declares it was the hardest race of his. life," says the cable.)