ESTABLISHED 1875. Manawatu Daily Times. The Oldest Manawatu Journal. Conducted by E. D. HOBEN. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY. DECEMBER 15th, 1008. THE BOAT RACE.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXV, Issue 590, 15 December 1908, Page 4

ESTABLISHED 1875. Manawatu Daily Times. The Oldest Manawatu Journal. Conducted by E. D. HOBEN. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. TUESDAY. DECEMBER 15th, 1008. THE BOAT RACE.

The interest of the Dominion will centra to-day on the Wanganui river, and Australia will even turn from ita ecetastio contemplation of Burns and Johnson to contemplate, not without amazement, the spectacle of the World's Sculling Championship being competed for, not merely away from Australia — for that has happened often enough—but without an Australian as a competitor, a thing that has only occurred once since the days of Hanlon—viz., after Gaudaur had defeated Stanbury, and rowed with Johnson at Vancouver. Australians, however, if they have not now a native-born competitor in the running, practioally claim Arnst, for though he id a New Zealandor, bom and brod, and made his fame as a New Zealand cyclist, he learned iiis sculling in New South Wales and his sculling reoord so far has been made there. It was thought that Arnst would row in Australian colours, as an Australian, but the fact that Webb's Club colours are light blue (which happen to be the New South Wales colour also), has perhaps influenced Arnst to row in what has become, through football teams, New Zealand's national black with the silver fern loaf. So that, though what international interest there is in the matter, will centre in Arnßfc's Australian connection and Australian backing, it romains a contest of two New Zealanders for a world's championship in an event for long considered peculiarly an Australian possession. And the contestants have established their right to thus compete by universal consent, and by having mot and defeated any Australian offering. Then again, no race for the sculling blue ribbon has ever been rowed under such peculiar circumstances. It is practically impossible to form any sound judgment of the relative capacities of the men. There is no means of "bringing them together" in the matter of form. Ex-champion Beach, regarded as the best judge of a sculler living,

considered that Arnst would speedily ! develop into a "world beater" after seeing him defeat Pearce. When he stepped from the bicycle saddle into the racing shell, his rapidly acquired ability as a Soulier was such that he found the utmost difficulty in getting matches on. That experience, for a practically a beginner, was certainly a novelty. He has devoted nearly three years to the study and practice of sculling, and if a natural athlete like Arnst who makes a business of it, cannot acquire the art in that time, it will surprise most rowing men. So with youth, strength, determination, and tho best of coaching. the challenger should be able to row a very great race, ami to justify the very high opinions formed of him by the famous scullers of "the other side."' Against this there is—WEBB, and Webb, though ho has won and held the world's championship, and was able to hold pre-eminonce for years before that in the amateur ranks, is, as much as Arnst, though in a different sense, an unknown quantity. For it apjjeais to he quite true, as claimed of him rhat no one, outside perhaps his trainer and himself, knows yet what lie is capable of. He is the most skilful and finished oarsman of the two, he will go to the starting point a man in the piuk of condition, and so absolutely without nerves that he is able to sleep immediately before the contest, and ho has not. yet been fully extended. Each of his races has been ■wou with something substantial "in hand.'' It is not surprising therefore that Australians who recently came over prepared to freely "back" the challenger, were, after seeing Webb on the river, not nearly so confident as when they arrived, even though they found all well with Arnst and that ho had accomplished in his training more than they had hoped for in overcoming rowing faults. Wanganui at anyrate is confident that as long as Webb keeps his form and no accidents happen, the world's championship will remain •with the river town, no matter who is sent to seek it—and taking one consideration with anothor we are inclined to think they are right.