SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16348, 4 February 1924, Page 9

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

HANNAN RETAINS THE TITLK. (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, last n:gJil. Tlie race for the Australasian sculling championship between iiannan and McDevitt, rowed on the Waitemata on Saturday, resulted in Rannan retaining the. title and winning by nine lengths. Both oarsmen got away to an even start. McDevitt, rowing the quicker stroke, took the lead after about 200 yards had been covered, and maintained the lead until the two-mile post was passed." ..Turning into the straight, to the finishing post, with about u mile to cover, the Tasmanian still held the lead of two lengths. At this point'the scullers parted company,. Hannan taking the left hand side and McDevitt the tight hand side of the course. Hannan quickened his stroke and slowly forged ahead, eventually winning comfortably 1 y nine lengths. , "McDevitt expressed . dissatisfaction with the judge's verdict and intimated hit intention of claiming the title on the grounds that'.Hannan never passed the finishing post. The race was rowed under somewhat trying conditions for the competitors, n stropg south-west wind raising a chopny sea in the opening stages. Under the (ircumstances the time of 22min 9se.c must be regarded a? n very fine performance. Interviewed after the. race. Hannan indicated his desire to vow Paddon fotitic world's scullino- title on Auckland harbor. He stated that it was his opinion* that the upper harbor course in Auckland was far superior to the Wanpa nui river. McDevitt, rowed a faster stroke throughout, but the NewZealandcr's was stronger and more scientific, producing long, swinging, rhythmic strokes thai produced maximum results. McDevilt pulled much more jerkily, carrying through with much less perfection than Hannan: AUCKLAND, this day. At a reception given to McDevitt by local residents- on Saturday evening at Whenuapai, where his training quarters were located, McDevitt said be had come from Australia to have a square dinkuro go and let the best man win. He claimed to have done bo, and expected, that judgment would be given in his favor when Ills protect was considered. In that event he was quite willing to accept a challenge from Hannan to row the race again over the same course. Replying to the health of McDevitt. Mr. Grigg, of the. Wnit'emata County Council, one of the guarantors and member of the race committee, said lie heard instructions given from the bow of a steamer to the two contestants that they should finish at the beach above Hobspriv'lle wharf. No were mentioned, and he was quite satisfied McDevitt, who led all the way, should have been declared the winner. He would strongly support his protest. At tbe committee meeting after the race there v?a& a dispute among the committeemen ns to who actually was the winner, Thpy agreed to await the umpire's decision. When thig was given b« undergtood 5150 was guaranteed by onlookers on the official boat to back McDevitt for another race if the umpire's decision was upheld. McDevitt, in his protest against, the race being awarded to Hannan, says: "1 claim that Hannan did not finish at all. He made an illegal short-cut when wo were definitely instructed to go somO' wliere elset (finish straight for the beach). I kpow of no rule that makes it permissible for $, sculler to finish whenever hp pleases outside* of the roi>r«t«. even in ,1 straight line with the finishing point.