SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7023, 11 January 1910, Page 6

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP

ARNSTS TERMS FOR A MATOfli WITH KEAEOE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Oopyric PERTH, January 10. Arnst, the champion sculler, has cabled stating that he is willing to row Harry Pearce, champion of Australia, on tho Swan river for tho world's championship, £SOO a side, and half tho " gate." He also requires £l5O for expenses. Tho promoters consider the terms asked are too high. WHAT GEOEGE TOWNS THINKS. THE CHAAIFION SCULLER IN GREAT DEMAND. As was expected, negotiations are now being opened up with Arnst by the' West Australian syndicate with a view of matching Pearce againist him for tho sculling championship of the world '. (says last Tuesday's Sydney "Daily Telegraph"). This being the case, Pearce now has two enthusiastic bodies of sporting men willing to supply the money to match him against Arnst. In the circumstances, Pearce is now practically sure—Arnst willing, of course—of o match with the world's champion. Tho West Australian syndicate naturally want the match to be rowed on the Swan ltiver, and are prepared to back Pearce, it is understood, to tho full extent of usual championship stake—.£soo—if the race is rowed there. On the other hand, the Sydney enthusiasts aro prepared to support Pearce if the race is rowed on the Parramatta to tho extent of J!250 or .£3OO, so that, whorover tho raco is rowed, the Australian champion is sure of a stake. Arnst, when offering Pearce a race, nominated the Parramatta River course, but, if the West Australian people put up .£SOO, it is quite possible'that Arnst may decide in favour of the Swan River. So far, there has been no reply received from Arnst. 'ARNST v. BARJEY. The acceptance by Axiist of the conditions offered by the South African syndicate for a match with Arnst and Barry on tho Zambesi has been received with general satisfaction by the sculling community. 'ihero are many different opinions as to the sculling prowess of tho two men, and, in tho circumstances, it will be interesting to learn the opinion of the one man competent to sum up the qualities of the two men. That man is George Towns, ex-world's champion, the teacher of the present world's champion, and the sculler who rowed the last match against Barry. "You want my opinion of Arnst and Barry, and what chance one will have against the other in their forthcoming match?" said George Towns, when interviewed by a representative of the "Daily Telegraph" yesterday. "Well, to begin with, you must not take my race with Barry as a comparison. Certainly I did my very best, and could not have dono better if my life depended upon it; but—we cannot do without the 'buts/ can we?—Barry was a better man than I was then, which does not necessarily mean much, because I am rather too old for such strenuous work now. I' was not the man that I was when I beat his brother some years ago. and consequently too much weight must not bo nut upon our race. Well, regarding Barry himself, he Is a fair allround sculler. He is fairly lively off the mark, and soon opens out into a long swinging stroke, which he maintain* throughout tho rest of the course. He did not seem to me to be a sprinter.

but rather inclined to tho 'all-out' method all tho way. His watermanship is also fair, which fact I noticed in the first part of our race, when the water was very rough. Then, Barry rows at list "lb, which ia not heavy enough to meet a man like Arnst. One prominent fact about him, which will stand him in good stead, is that whether ho is in front or behind, he puts in his best work and does not know what it is to lose heart. So much for Barry. Now, with regard to Arnst, 1 think ho is too well-known by Australians to need any description by me. ilis bulldog pluck, enormous strength, and great stamina will see him through against anyone. My firm opinion is that Barry will not stand the least chance of'beating Arnst either in Africa. England, or anywhere in the world. Arnst should have no trouble at all in defeating Barry or any sculler in tho whole world to-day." WANGANUI HANDICAPS. PAYING OVER THE STAKES. SPECIAL TO THE " TIS^ES.' , WANGANUI, January 10. The stakes won in the sculling handicaps were presented to tho winners tonight by ilr \V. 11. Tuck on behalf of tho promoters, tho Wanganui Licensed Victuallers' Association. All the scullers met with a very hearty reception. Tho champion, Dick Arnst, in response, stated that ho would guarantee, that in all future contests he engaged in the beat man on the day would win. He hoped after going further afield to bring tho world's championship back to New Zealand. At an impromptu gathering held subsequently at Chavannes Hotel a pleasant hour was passed, a number of toasts being honoured. AH tho visiting oarsmen were enthusiastic as to the reception they received, and one and all expressed the hope to visit Wanganui again. Dick Arnst and Georgo Sutherland have offered to' jointly bear tho cost of a five years' subscription to the "New Zealand' Times" to assist Webb,, in his candidature for the "limes" voting contost. New Zealand's stock of sculling oraft has been increased by the advent of tho New South Wales oarsmen. Syd Kemp has disposed of his boat to OgHvie, of Greyrnotith. Dick Green found a purchaser for his in Archie Brown, of Napier, a son of Mr Vigor Brown, M.P. Ogilvie, it will bo romombered, took part in the Eoxton handicap, in which he was very poorly boated, his skiff weighing no less than 491 b, whereas tho one ho has purchased from Kemp only goes 271 b.