THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8721, 6 February 1890, Page 2

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW ZEALAND.

AN EASY WIN FOll STEPHBNSON.

(I'eh Unitkd Pekss Association.)

Wellington, February 5.

Tho sculling race between Charles Sttphen»on and William Hearu for £100 a-sido and the championship of the colony was rowed over the ehampiouship course (three miles aud a-half) this morning. The weather was very warm anil tho water ;il te a sheet of gins*. The refetee's boatcoutammg the (.-ress and others was crowded, and the road lined with carriages and equestrians. All other points of vantage, as well as an the shipping at the railway and queens wharves, were Morally packed. The course was from ,-. point beyond Nghauranga to the north end of the queen's wharf. Blattersou won the tostj for Stcphenson, aud took the oulaioe position, though there was 110 advantage in either. As the men were preparing to start 10 to 4 was offered ou Stephensou without finding takers. Matterson then offered 3to 1, and whj accommodated several times. The start was by mutunl consent, aud no time was lost iv getting away. Both dashed away with 36 strokes to the minute, but Stepbenson was getting more power out of bis boat, and soon had r. lead ot a length. With a mile left behind, Hearn was rowing 31, while Stephensou, with a longer stroke, had little difficulty in keeping in trout. Ihe betting now was first 5 and then 0 to 1 on Stephsnson. Passing off Kaiwarra, three or four boat's lengths separated tne men. Hearn was rowing 30, aud Stephciison 27. Here Hearn, in respouse to cheers from his friends in thesteamer, spurted, hut could not reduce the gap, and the race was a moral for Stepheusoa. Tho latter, who was giving Hearu his back wash aud rowing well within himself, passed the judge's boat threß lengths in front, amid the cheers of the crowd ou the wharf. Time, 22min 22Jseo, which is 2inm faster than when Hearu defeated Messenger for the championship. Dr Fell was reeree and MrGeorge Fisher judge. Hearn'sleft leg appeared to give him some trouble, and he wore a bandage on' his calf. Blood conld be teen trickling from it. After the race a subscription was started on the boat for the lost, and a fair amount collected.

Stephenson, who now holds the championship, is a native of Auckland, and is within three months of being 25 years of ago. He spent his younger days at the Thames, and atlerwards took to it buahmwi's life at Wairoa He rowed hia first race in the pair-oar sculls at the Wuiroa regatta in 1887, when, with Wilson as a partner, they defeated the Brown brothers, who challenged them to another race for £50 a side. This came off a month later, with the same retiilt. In November last year Stcphemon went to bjdney, and after some training deleated J. Kemp, brother of the ex-champion, for £100 a fide He then issued a challenge to Hearu, tho match yesterday being the result. In October last Stephenson was defeated over tho Parramatta couree by J.

William Hearn, the ex-champion, in a native of 3C»lland, but came to Victoria when very young ■ He was born on the 13th May 1850, so that he ia nearly 40 years ot age. He came to New Zealand since 1862, and has resided :it Wellington since 1876. He has been before tho public a3 a sculler for a number of ;,cars, and has earned the respect and esteem ot all by Im nirnly straightforward conduct. Hie list ot performances is too long to give, but it may be mentioned that it includes a very largo numf"' 1' ,°,L prizes- Ho def(iatetl Wing of Melbourne "V 1879,," 1 " match for £r° a Ma> »>"! Albert White in 1881 in a match for £100 a side and the championship. Mes;enger defeated Hearn in a match osi theYarra in 1860, buttwoyears later Hearn turned the tablts on his opponent In 1685 he defeated Harrington at Hiverton, and two years later won the all-comers' race at tho same p'.uce, belting Palanicuntain, Beero, and Harrington. He afterwards visited Sydney, but was not very successful. Htarn will now retire, as all scullers must sooner or later, but he will have tho consolation of knowing that ho carries with him the gor.d wishes of the general public, who acknowledge that ho has for year 6 worthily held the position of champion.

The stakes in connection with the sculling championship were handed over to Stephenson by Mr Henry Bliindeli at the Post Office Hotel this evening ia the presence of a large number of sporting gentlemen. Mr Bluudell congratulated Stephenson on his victory, and assured both him and Mutterson of a hearfy welcome should they visit this portion of the colony on a future occasion. He complimented Hearn on the plucky way he had rowed, and also on the faithful manner ia which he had fulfilled all previous engagements to the public in contests ofthis kind. Stephensou, iv returning thanks, said he would endeavour to hold the championship as long as possible.' He thanked the Rowing Clubs for the manner iv which he had been treated since bis arrival. Hearn admitted ihat he was defeated by a better man, mid he hoped ScopheLisou would hold the championship as long as he bad himself. A fund on Hearn's behalf was established, and Mr Blundell was appointed treasurer. Ten guineas was collected ou the steamer this morning and the amount augmented this evening. Stephensou and Mattorsun leavo for Dunedin to-morrow nu;ht to take part in the all-comers' seulliug race there.