SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16426, 9 May 1924, Page 2

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

(Per Press Association.) DARGAVILLE, this day,

McDevitt, interviewed regarding Hanan 's refusal to meet him in the Australian and New Zealand. Championship on the Northern Wttiroa, said that Hanan's statement was too ridiculous to merit reply. McDevitt persists that he boat Hanan in the first match at Kiverhead and that Hanan .lever completed the course. With reference to the second race on the Waitemata., which Hanan won, McDevit says he was so disgusted) with the result of the first race that he took no interest in it. He is, however, prepared to stand Hanan up ten seconds and race him over any distance for any stakes he likes to name. George Ceruiti, 'assistant secretary of the New South Wale* League of Scull'jrs, ;who is training at DargaVil'le with M( Levitt, says in reference to Hanan's statement about being the Australian and New Zealand champion by virtue of his beating Felton at Nelson, that as far ,as Australia is concerned there is no such title als Australian, and Now Zealand it'haimpion. .To create a title thero must, be a. lace open to allcomers, not two men deciding that they will make one, such an Hanan and Feliton did at Nelson. Australian oarsmen protested then through the Referee, and have done so on several other occasions, until the race on the Wairoai was proposed. This race complies in every way with the idea of the New South Watep League of Scullers, who have given their sanction to,, the race for. the title being rowed for on. the Northern. Wairoa river. Ceruiti sees no reason why Hanan .should not race, because, the monev is up, and there are other scullers' an' lt)ha field ais well -as McDevitt, who could he relied upon to keep him (Hamam) very busy. All the impudent bluff, he says, is- on Hanan'si side and the race will will be*' the first in 'which' the Austi-alian and New Zealand! championship has been competed for under proper regulations.