SCULLING PUZZLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18889, 11 December 1924, Page 10

SCULLING PUZZLE.

WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP. 3B? s PADDON. HANDING. OVER TO MCDEVITT.

A Press Association cablegram "irom Sydney [ yesterday 'said:—Paddon an--1 nounces that he decided to let the world's sculling championship go to McDevitt. He stipulates, however, that this is on "condition that McDevittand Goodsell have the first race'for the title. The winner is then to row Hadfield if the latter wants to race for the title. In the event of McDevitt and Goodsell not agreeing to the conditions, Paddon states that each of them will have to race him in the New Year. •' The above 'message* will' cause considerable astonishment in New Zealand. Paddon had previously announced that hej was handing the'title over to Hadfield, of Auckland, from whom he won it. It was then stated in Australia that he could not do tins, so that his reported decision now to pass his honours on to McDevjtt is difficult to understand. Hadfield , • has beaten. ; Goodsell >; giving the Sydney man .three, seconds start," while Hannan has WiceTdefeated McDevitt with the greatest ease. While in Auckland McDevitt showed little indication of being up to world's championship class. Hannan, who was in Auckland yesterday, said he was anxious to row Hadfield. as. soon as possible and suggested ;■ that if .the-winner rowed the.winner of the McDevitt-Goodsell race, ,which is suggested hi the cablegram,' for 'the. world s title',..it. would, be"a good way out of the difficulty. In the .event of this not being arranged Hannan lodged a deposiit of £100 last . evening to. cover a: challenge for the world's title to the. winner of the Goodsell-McDevitt contest.

In the .meantime Paddon's right to hand the title to McDevitt and impose ether conditions is unlikely to be accepted locally with any degree of satisfaction.