NOTED OARSMAN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 30 November 1927, Page 2

NOTED OARSMAN

P. HANNAN RETIRES OLDEST CHAMPION IN WORLD P. Hannah, professional champion sculler of New Zealand, and of Australasia, who, following upon an operation for appendicitis, has been advised by his doctor to give up rowing for a year, told a "Dominion" representative that he had decided td retir%, from the sport definitely. Hannan, who is now in his forty-fourth year, is retiring as the.oldest champion in the world. His retirement takes place at once?. Before coming into prominence as a professional sculler, Hannan had created a name for himself by winning eleven races as an amateur. In 1913, he won the Parramatta Handicap against a big field, including such famous scullers as Arnst, Towns, Matheson, and Pierce. In 1914, he was successful in beating Archie Priddle, examateur champion of New South Wales, in a first match race on Lake Albert, Wogga Wogga. This was an easy win for Hannan. The following year, ho beat W, Webb for the New Zealand Championship on the Wanganui. He won the New Zealand title, rowing on the Wairau River in 1920, when he beat W. Fogwell, of Australia, by three lengths. The following year he challenged R. Arnst for the world's championship, but was beaten by two and a half lengths. The same year, he beat "Jumbo" Wells (also on the Wairau) for the New Zealand title. This race was won by ten lengths. In 1922, the Wairau was the sceno of one of Hannnn's greatest achievements, when he established a New Zealand record by beating VV. Fogwell by ten lengths in 18min. 50sec. over a course of 3 miles 100 yards. Shortly after this, he had an easy win over "Jumbo" Wells at Picton.

His next big event wa.s his defeat of the Australian Alf. Fenton, on Nelson Harbour in 1923. In this race, rowed for the Australasian, title, he won by 3ft, and also on a foul. Later, he rowed W. McDevitt, oif Australia, for tho Australasian title, and won by nine lengths on the Auckland Harbour. A month after this, Hannan, on the lower reaches of Auckland Harbour, again beat McDevitt —this time by twelve lengths. Hamilton was the scene of the next triumph, which took place when he challenged R. Arnst for tho Australasian title, which he was successful in capturing. Hannan finished up twenty lengths ahead of his opponent. At Tauranga, in 1925, lie boat D'Arcy, Hadfield by twelve lengths. When competing for the world's championship at Parramatta, Hannan was beaten by Major Goodsell by five and a half lengths. Last year he beat Jim. Mason by eight lengths at Whangarei.