THE SCULLING RACE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9047, 7 May 1888, Page 5

THE SCULLING RACE

HANLAN AND KEMP.

AN EXCITING CONTEST.

WON BY KEMP.

[press association.]

Sydney, May 5. The scuffing race between Ilanlan and Kemp for the championship of the world, and £500 a-side, was rowed on the

Paramatta this afternoon. A commission of £5000 from Victoria was invested on Ilanlan.

An immense crowd occupied all the points of 'vantage on the river. The weather was line, but owing to a sou'west breeze the water was rather lumpy ; but the breeze favoured the oarsmen. Both Kemp and Hanlan were loudly cheered as they sculled out to tho starting point.

The men got away together as the word "go" was given, but in the first few lengths Kemp got a lead of half a length. Hanlau, however, soon got on level terms with him, and both settled down to a desperate race. At this time Hanlan was pulling 37 strokes to the minute, while Kemp if anything was a trifle faster.

Up to Putney the race was most interesting, first one and then the other having a slight advantage, but here a foul occurred between them, and Hanlan, having the advantage of it, shot ahead, and rapidly placed four lengths between himself and the Australian. At this point the race looked a moral for the Canadian, but Kemp made a most determined effort to retrieve the lost ground, and he was not long before only a half length separated the two boats.

Hanlan spurted time after time, and endeavoured to wear Kemp dov&i, but the champion held his own, and notwithstanding that he lost quite a length owing to bad steering, was soon on level tern with him. The latter now showed signs of distress.

Up to ' his time the race had lx:en the most interesting and exciting race ever rowed on the Parramatta. The excitement was intense, and as the boats approached Gladeville llanlan attempted to close on Kemp, but the latter was too far ahead.

Passing tho boatshed Hanlan was hopelessly in the rear, and Kemp, apparently without effort, sculled away from him and won very easily by a length. Time, 21min 26|sec. The race is said to have been ono of the finest ever rowed on the Parramatta Iliver. Sydney, May 6. Hanlan entered a protest _ against Kemp on the grounds of having been fouled, but subsequently lie withdrew it. [BY TSLEGIIAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Wellington, Saturday. The victory of Kemp over Hanlan was very popular here, and three cheers were given for the winner when the result was announced. KEMP'S RECORD. Up to the time that William Beach handed over the championship honours to him in November lost, Peter Kemp was not considered in the first rank of scullers, but the result, of Saturday's race has proved that the great Dapto oarsman made no mistake in choosing his erstwhile trainer and comrade as his successor. Kemp's races in best boats were those against Neil Matterson (October 19th, 1884), when Kemp was defeated, after rowing well for two miles ; against George Perkins, who wore him right down after the same distance had been traversed ; a couple of matches with Bubear, in which Kemp again showed a similar want of staying power, and was beaten in both events. On July 4th, 1887, he had a second match on the Parramatta course, and avenged his previous defeat by leaving Matterson easily. On February llbh, of this year, he rowed his first contest for the championship honours and a stake of £500 against Thomas Clifford, of Illawarra, and won with the greatest of ease.

The result of the race was received at the Herald office shortly before eight o'clock on Saturday evening. An immense crowd had collected in front of the publishing office in Queen-street, waiting for the news, and on the result being announced general satisfaction was expressed at the victory of the Australian oarsman.