WILY WEBB'S PREPOSTEROUS PROPOSAL.

NZ Truth, Issue 158, 27 June 1908, Page 2

WILY WEBB'S PREPOSTEROUS PROPOSAL.

Considerable surprise and indignation has been shown throughout rowing circles, and- by the general . public, at the preposterous terms of Wily Webb which he insists upon before - meeting scullerDick Arnst for the championship of tlie. world. As pointed out m our last issue this autocratic water-galloper demands that Arnst shall sparkle up the whole of the stake by July 30 fo* the race yhich is billed .to be rowed on December 15— nearly five months bG. Strong exceptioa cannot be taken to that, but tbe Wanganui man then demands that either manwho is not ready to start punctually at four' o'clock to the tick, must forfeit his' money. In the way ot courtesy to a visiting opponent, it is simply dazzling m the first place, and, again, if Arnst. is forced to agree, it places him m a dan-: gerous position. ' For instance, any' little unforeseen accident- might happen to delay him for a few minutes, and then, ; again, there is some chance of some per-, son from clumsiness or design tripping over his light shell just prior to .the race,, and injuring, it to such an extent that. Arnst would be unable to _ get fixed : up m time, and thus lose 'the race. There is bound to be fairly heavy betting on this race, and if the "punctual" demand of Webb , be conceded, and should any- : thine; happen, there would be no strus--glo for supremacy between tibe two ' men ; the' "wagers would simply be decided on the "accident."