THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8732, 19 February 1890, Page 5

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP OF NEW ZEALAND.

AN EASY WIN FOR STEPHENSON. Wellington, February 5. The sculling r&co between Charles Stephensou and William Hearn for £100 a-side and tho championship of the colony was rowed over the championship course (three miles and a-half) | this moruing. The weather vvas very warm ami j the water 'ike a sheet of glass. The referee's boat containing the press and othsrs was crowded, aud tho road lined with carriages and equestrians. All other points of vantage, as well as as the shipping at the railway and queen's wharves, were literally packed. The course was from a point beyoud Nghaurauga to tho north cud of the queen's wharf. Matterson won the toss for Stephenson, and took the outside position, though there was no advantage in either. As the men were preparing to start 10 to 4 was offered on Stephenson without fiuding takers. Matterson then offered 3to 1, and was accommodated several times. The start was by mutual consent, aud no time was lost in getting away. Both dashed away with 36 strokes to the minute, but Stephenson was getting more power out of his boat, and soon had a lead of a length. With a mile left behind, Hearn was rowing 31, while Stepheuiion, with a longer stroke, had lifctlo difficulty iv keepiDg iv trout. The betting now was first 5 and then 6 to 1 oa Stepheusou. Passing off Kaiwarra, three or four boat's lengths separated tbe men. Hearn was rowing 30, and Stephenson 27. Here Hearn, in response to cheers from his friends in the steamer, spurted, but could not reduce the gap, and the race was a moral for Stephen Goo. The latter, who was giving Hearn his back wash aud rowing well within himself, passed the judge's boat three lengths in front, amid the cheers of the crowd on tho wharf. Time, 22min 22|sec, which is 2inin faster than when Hearn defeated Messenger for the championship. Dr Fell was referee aud Mr George Fisher judge. Hoarn's left leg appeared to give him some trouble, and he wore a bandage on his calf. Blood could be seen trickling from it. After tbe race a subscription was started on the boat for the loser, and a fair amouut collected. This was further augmented at a meeting in the evening when the Btakea were paid over.

Stephenaon. who now holds the championship, is a native of Auckland, and ie within three months of being 25 yeara of age. He spent hia younger days at the Thames, and afterwardo took to a bushman's life at Wairoa. Ho rowed his first race in the pair-oar sculls at tlie Wairoa regatta in 1887, when, with Wilson as a partner, they defeated the Urown brothers, who challenged them to another woe for £50 a side. This came off a month later, with the same remit. In November last year Stephenson went to Sydney, and after Borne training defeated J. Kemp, brother of the ex-cliampfon, for £100 a aide. He then issued a challenge to Hearu, the match yesterday being tbe result. In October last Stephenson was defeated over the Parramatta course by J. M'lean.

William Hearn, the ex-champion, ia a native of Scotland, but came to Victoria when very young. Ke was born en the I3th May 1850,60 that he is nearly 40 yearß of age. He came to New Zealand since'lß62, and lias resided nt Wellington since 1876. He has been before tbe public as a seullor for a number of years, and has earned the respect and esteem of all by liia mp.nly straightforward conduct. His list of performances is too long to give, but it may be meutioned that it includes a very largo numbiT of prizes. He defeated Wing of Melbourne in 1879" in a match for £25 a tide, ami Albert White in 1881 in a match for £100 a side and the chtmiplonahlp. Messenger defeated Hearn in a match on tbe Xarra in 18S0, but two yeara later Hearn turned the tables on his opponent. In ISBS lie defeated Harrington at Itiverton, and two v?ars later won tlia all-comers' raco at tlie same place, beating Palamountnm, Beere, and Harrington. He afterwards visited Sydney, but was not very successful. Hearn will now retire, as all scullerß must sooner or later, but lie will havn the consolation of knowing that he carries with him the !>ood wishes of the general public, who acknowledge tbat lie bas for years worthily heH the position of