MORE ABOUT ARNST.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIV, Issue 221, 24 September 1910, Page 7

MORE ABOUT ARNST.

WHAT WILL NEW ZEALAND DO?

[Special to Express.]

CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 23. Dr Thacker, who returned to Christchurch this morning, still finds a great deal to say in regard to R. Arnst's victory on the Zambesi. He states that the report sent by cable message to New Zealand, journals that Arnst had a ridiculously easy win, is,quite incorrect. • He saw the champion a few minutes after he stepped out of his, boat; he showed many signs that he had had a very hard pull, and deiclared that Barry had stuck to him better than any other' man he ' had met. Dr Thacker speaks very highly of the sportsmanlike spirit which prevailed throughout. There Avas no friction of any kind between the two competitors or their followers. Barry is described 'as "one of Nature's gentlemen," and as a generous and honorable rivah For three days before the race the boats were watched j continuously by detectives; but it was; ' found that precautions of that nature I quite unnecessary. 1 As to Arnst's future movements, Dr Thacker states that the champion has accompanied Mr Dreyer, .a hunter of big game; who has gone with a span of oxen and a waggon about one hundred, and twenty miles further up-the river, over the veldt. Arnst expects to shoot leopards, cheetahs, and other , big game. The authorities have been very good, giving him a free hunting license, free railway passes, and other facilities for getting through the country. He retains his right to the kineniatograph pictures of the ! race as far as Australasia is concerni ed, but wishes to sell it to a picture ' proprietary. His ultimate object is to return to New Zealand and to live here. Dr Thacker is strongly of , opinion that steps should_ be taken to ' induce Arnst to remain in New Zeailand, and that he should be given 1 some public recognition for his services. "His-career," the doctor said, "has been quite phenomenal. He has given New Zealand" a tremendous ad-| vertisement. He is at the head of a fairly long list of New Zealand champions in different branches of athletics, and sport. The people of Rhodesia would be delighted to offer him inducements to stay there, but I think that we in New Zealand ought to be first in that respect. My suggestion is that when allotments of land are being made along the Main Trunk Railway facilities should be given to Arnst to take up a section of land. I am sure that he would be quite prepared to settle there if something of that kind was done.,ltwould be in the nature of a national recognition of what he has done. People have received more who have not done half what he has done for his country." ' ■ -