SCULLING

NZ Truth, Issue 985, 11 October 1924, Page 11

SCULLING

TROUBLE OVER THE TITLE

The situation which has arisen m connection with the Avorld's sculling championship savors of the Gilbertian, and emphasises the need of some sort of board of control being set up to manage championship races. The necessity of such a board has been recognised for some years, but there are difficulties about formingone Avhich can claim to have any authority.

In the first place, it is not easy to arrange a conference at which it will be possible to 'secure the attendance of delegates from the various countries interested m the world's sculling championship; m fact this has been found impossible so far. The nearest approach to a truly representative conference was that held m Sydney m 1907, during the .visit of Ed. Durnan to Australia m quest of the world's title, then held by George Towns. An effort' was then made to place the conditions governing the championship, on ah improved footing. Up till then the rules had been more or less of an unwritten description, dependent principally on the good sportsmanship of the holder of the title.

To the honor, be it said, of the great majority of those who had held the title there had not been much to complain of m the way challengers had been treated, but it was felt that something- more definite was essential so far as the conditions governing the championship races were concerned. Hence it was decided to take advantage of the visit of Durnari, Mr. Jim Field (England), Dick Arnst (N.Z.), and others who were prominent _m rowing circles to hold a conference. Those present, m addition to the above* included W. Beach, M. Rush, H. Pearce, Harry Floyd, C. Towns, George Towns (champion), Peter Kemp, and numerous others interested m the' sport. This was easily the most representative meeting of scullers ever held, and the written and unwritten conditions governing the championship were fully discussed, revised, and then adopted. • Ever since then all races rowed for the title have been under the rules drawn up at the above conference. The particular rule which applies to the trouble created as the outcome of Jas. Paddon announcing his retirement and the handing over of the title to Darcy Hadfield reads as under: "George Towns is hereby recognised by us (the undersigned) as champion sculler of the world; and we are agreed to recognise as his ' successor anyone who may defeat him, or to whom he may forfeit by default, provided always the rules and conditions how agreed to by us are duly observed. In the event of the death of a holder of the title, the championship shall pass to the next best sculler of the country the late holder, represented." A' further clause provided that "the agreement to race should be drawn on the conditions now approved by us, and named 'Boat Race — Articles of Agreement." It is eVident from the above that' Paddon was mistaken m thinking that he had the right to hand the title back .to the man from whom he won it — Hadfield. If the latter ,had been a bona fide challenger for the title then if Paddon did not wish to row any more he could have handed over the title by default. As it was, Goodsell was m first with his challenge, but hearing that Paddon was going to re-, tire and hand the title back to Hadfield, Goodsell withdrew his challenge to Paddon m order to issue one to Hadfield. This was done, but m the meantime someone had discovered that, according to the rules, Paddon had no right to hand the title to anyone except by default, and McDevitt slipped m smartly, with a challenge to Paddon, who has now decided to take time to consider the peculiar position which has arisen. If the rules are to^' be 'adhered to it is clear that Paddon will have to row either Goodsell or McDevitt or default — hand the title to one or: the other. It now remains to be seen whether Paddon will decide .to row again or not. If he makes up his mind to row it is clear that Goodsell is the man most entitled to the next race. Goodsell had the bad ' luck to capsize m his recent race with. Paddon, and was eager to meet Him , again, • but did not wish to get the. title by default. His sportsmanlike' attitude m this matter is to toe commended, and it will be exceedingly bad. luck for him if, after getting m first, he has to stand aside owing to McDevitt slipping m through an-un-expected opening. However, even if Goodsell has to give way m themeantime.his opportunity will not be long m coming. ;