AQUATICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 956, 27 June 1890, Page 11

AQUATICS.

By Er.acTß.ic Telegraph.—Copyright. STANSBURY v. O’CONNOR. DEFEAT OF THE CANADIAN. (per press association.) Sydney, June 23. The sculling race between James Stansfcury and William O’Connor for £SOO a-side took place on the Parramatta River this afternoon. There was a large crowd to witness the race, and every point of vantage along the river banks was densely packed. A chilly wind was blowing strongly down the river. Stansbury was favourite, and odds of 7 to 4 were laid on his winning. O’Connor won the toss, and took advantage of any shelter obtainable inshore. After one or two attempts a good start was effected, Stansbury darting off at 39 strokes, while O’Connor was pulling 40. A few powerful Btrokes saw Stansbury with a slight lead, which he quickly increased to half a length. When nearing Uhr’s Point Stansbury got rather close inshore, and the Canadian, spurting at the time, it appeared likely a foul would result ; but the former managed to get clear of O’Connor, justmissing his boat. From this time the race may be said to have been practically all over, as Stansbury went right away from his opponent and at Uhr’s Point was a length to the good, which he had doubled as the mile post was passed. Here O’Connor spurted, but his

effort had no appreciable effect, as the leader had no difficulty in maintaining his advantage. At Putney both oarsmen were pulling 29 strokes and the race was very tame. Stansbury passed Gladesville with a lead of five lengths, which O’Counor reduced by spurting, but Stansbury quickened his stroke and rowed in an easy winner by three lengths. Time, 20min 28Jsec. Stansbury was loudly cheered as he passed the winning post. O’Connor seemed to move nervously aa compared with his oppoueut. The winner apneared quite fresh, while the Canadian was showing signs of his exertions. O’Connor claimed a foul, which the referee disallowed. During the race the steamer Squirrel, which was crowded with excursionists, sprang a leak and had to run ashore. Fortunately all on board were safely landed before the vessel sank. O’Connor has lodged a protest against the stakes being paid over to Stansbury. Jane 24. O’Connor states that Stansbury crowded him till he found his boat bumping on the mud. He then shot across Stansbury’s stern, and distinctly felt the boats bump. When clear he held up his hand, in token that he claimed a foul, and merely pulled over the course afterward. , Later. Stansbury and O’Connor have mutually agreed to row the race over again on Monday. [James Stansbury is a native of New South Wales, and is 26 years of age. He came into celebrity as a sculler in rather remarkable circumstances and on the strength of Searle’a reputation, Searle having beaten him in a great race on the Parramatta course (breaking the record) when neither man was considered up to championship form. Except that he rowed in a regatta, Stansbury has been kept very quiet since then, though his backers badly wanted to match him against Searle when the latter beat O’Connor on the Thames at the end of last year. , All along, however, he has been recognised as a great sculler, and the general opinion seems to be that he could beat Kemp, though as both men are “in the same stable ” they are not likely to meet. [William O’Connor is a native of Toronto, and 29 years old. For many years he was a successful amateur sculler, and when he became, a professional he very speedily went to the top of the tree by beating Gaudaur, Teemer, and Peterson. On the Thames last year, however, he was very badly beaten by Searle, and now his defeat by Stansbury effectually disposes of all his claims to the championship.]