ROWING CHAMPIONSHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18447, 7 January 1922, Page 8

ROWING CHAMPIONSHIP

CONGEATOLATiONS TO HADFIELD. • ARNST, SAID TQ BE STALE. (Fbom , Ode Own Correspondent.) WAN G ANUI, January 6. . Congratulations were, received by Darcy Hadfield. the new champion sculler of the world, from all parts of the 'dominion, as well as an Australian cable message from George Towns, an ex-champion, who built the boat in which s Hadfield rowed, r , 1 The Prime Minister (the Hon. Mr Massey) telegraphed to-day as follows:—‘T most heartily’ congratulate you oil your meritorious win in yesterday’s contest, and bh securing the blue riband of the ■ sculling world. I remember with pleasure our meeting in Paris in the early part of 1919, when the Now Zealand eight, of which you were a conspicuous member,, carried on the championship of the Seine. I hope you will • long be the proud possessor of the title that you have now achieved, and retain the world’s 'championship for New”" Zealand.” Dick. Arnst was in town to-day, - : and said • that he had undoubtedly' received a really - good thrashing. When a man could put up the trials he did, and break bis own record over the course, which he did last week, and then on the day of the race do nothing better than what a “lame duck” could .do, it was time he threw up the sponge." 1 That was what ho intended to do, and he would now retire from the game. Paddy Hannan, who vie.Wbth the race yesterday, was greatly- struck, -with Hadfield.s beautiful exhibition of sculling, but he is still ah aspirant for the world’s championship honours. Ho claims- that ho has prior claim for the next race with Hadfield. The financial part does not worry him., as he" says that half his stake money is already in -hand, and ha-confidently expects haring the balance required within’ the week. He has been advised that the race would' create no interest, and that he oould not hope to win against such a man as HadCeld, unless some unforseen accident occurred during the race. Enthusiasts her© hope that arrangements can be concluded for a match between Hadfield and Paddon at an early date, as such a race, would be worth going a long way to see. Thera is great diversity of opinion as to which aspirant is first entitled to consideration, this • uncertainty arising from the anomalies in the rules governing the championships, and the/different interpretations that oan be put upon them. The suggestion made recently that a conference should be held to go into the whole question and revise the rules has been strengthened. and it is believed that future squabbling would be saved if the rules wore definite and the position clearly defined. The need of such a conference is felt, and it is hoped that such a conference might bo held at Wanganui -on the occasion of the Halfleld-Paddon race. The next race is sure to bo held at Wanganui, the general impression being that nq other course in the world is superior and no other place in the dominion offers better- facilities for patronage, and making th© proposition a financial success. Both Hadfield and Arnst are most generous in their praiso of the Wanganui for sculling championship races. ( The poor showing of Arnst in : the race has beon the subject of much discussionHis trials were so good that no one ever anticipated that he would be left behind so early m the race. It is now contended that ho had gone stale! and ample evidence of this was given in his belaboured, strokes and faulty rowing in contrast to Hadfield. Hadfield not having been extended, it is difficult to say what his capabilities are. HLs blade work was very clean and oven, and his boat ran beautifully between his strokes, from the time he dipped in and got a hold ol the river. Upon his showing yesterday, and the ideal conditions which obtained; it is confidently believed that if he had boon pushed he could have h r °kor« all records over the .distance. Great enthusiasm was shown to-night in paying, oyer the stakes. PAYING OVER THE STAKES. (put United Paeas Association.) WANGANUI, January .6. At the paying over of the stakes in connection with • tho sculling championship, which took place at a social gathering. tonight, which was attended, by a large number, Hadfield said ho did not; leave tho amateur ranks for money, but because he wanted ‘to get to the top of the tree. He still felt the amateur, sp’rifc, but’‘his expenses were heavy, and so the’stake was part of the game. He did not think Arnst yvas at his best. He hoped h© would bo able to put up as good a sculling record as Arnst. • • • . , ,' In the course of hie reply Arnst declared that the Wanganui course: woe the best in the : world, and the next beet was tho. Zambesi.