ROWING

Southland Times, Issue 19395, 8 November 1924, Page 14 (Supplement)

ROWING

(By

“Stroke.”)

RAILWAY. TTie following are the draws for the Railway President’s Fours which will be rowed off during the next few days, the stroke man of each new being mentioned:— J. Buckingftam rows A. O’Toole. F. Gimblett rows S. Brown. L. Gimbleft rows L. Brooks. W. Wilson rows H. Mackay. D. Pay rows E. Greig. J. Hamilton rows N. Galbraith. G. Forges rows C. Henderson. H. Morton rows T. Davidson. Several races were rowed during last week-end with the following results:— M. Mackay defeated W. Wilson. S. Brown defeated J. Buckingham. M. Morton defeated E. Greig. C. Henderson defeated G. Forbes. As the full crews were not in training, the draw was altered somewhat but will, or should remain as it now stands. The races rowed were all exceptionally close, in one case only half a canvas deciding t.he winner. Owing to bad weather very little has been done lately in rowing circles but during the last few days members have taken advantage of a fine spell and training has progressed more favourably. INVERCARGIL. The Invercargill President’s Fours should be completed shortly and one or two of the races will be rowed during the weekend. The draw is as follows: A. Hamilton rows A. D. Hamilton. Pascoe rows Trotter. Meffin rows Wilcox. Two of the crews have been cut out of the competition owing to many of the members not yet being in steady training. It is rumoured that some consternation was caused amongst members of a certain club last week owing to the appearance of what was termed by one learned oarsman as a literary “faux pas.” One is tempted to prophesy that provided the sentiments contained in this effort were taken seriously, a local entrepeneur would be faced with poverty. THE AUSTRALIAN CHAMPIONSHIP. The following account of the Australasian sculling championship between Pat Hannan (holder) and Dick Arnst, ex-world’s champion (the challenger) rowed on the Waikato at Hamilton on October 25 is from the Auckland Star of the same date:—“A crowd of about 3000 were on the banks of the Waikato and also at aU vantage points along the river, while motor cars foUowed the race right along the road. The men entered the river in good condition, Hannan weighing 12 stone and Arnst 14 stone. The race commenced at 2.55. Hannan won the toss, selecting the east side, and both scullers got away together. Hannan 36 to the minute and Arnst 32. The first one hundred yards they were together, but Hannan, rowing straighter, soon found the still water on his side. Arnst had to cross over, and his rival darted ahead and at the end of a quarter of a mile had a two lengths break, till opposite Verco’s, where he was twelve lengths to the good. From here Hannan crossed over to the western side, still increasing his lead, Arnst foUowing across, and here Hannan hail settled down to 26 strokes to the minute, Arnst doing 24, but was losing ground. At two miles from home Hannan recrossed to the east, while Arnst appeared to freshen, up and made up a little lee-way, but soon fell back again. Hannan was now doing 24 to the minute, Arnst 22, the holder leading by 16 lengths. The one mile and a-quarter had taken only eight minutes. Nearing No. 1 bridge at Whitiora, Hannan still improved his position, but Arnst got into the willows and damaged his blade to sonte extent, making him puH heavy on his left side. At one mile and a a-quarter from the judge, Hannan was a hundred yards to the good, and went over to the western bank. Here Hannan was going along with a long steady stroke of 22 to the minute. Approaching the railway bridge Hannan quickened to 24, Arnst falling away to 19 at this point. Shooting across the river again, still rowing through the bridge, Hannan led the way strong, and won easily by 40 lengths in 26m 40s. Hannan finished very fresh and received a great reception. Arnst appeared distressed, and he was also warmly received. The cheers were renewed when the scuUers shook hands. From the start Hannan got an advantage and never left the result in doubt during any part of the 3j mile race. The first mile was very fast, Hannan hitting it out under seven minutes and the time was eight minutes at the mile and a-quarter post. Arnst got into trouble in the willows and knocked a substantial piece off his right scull and no doubt this affected any sprint

he might have had at the finish, but after the race he remarked: “Pat would have beaten me anyway, and thia is my last race.” Hannan said the first half-mile was very hard, and then he had to keep it up till the finish. He said his backers told him to ge out and win, and show his best form. Regarding the future he said his plans were indefinite. He had already challenged Hadfield for the world’s championship, and the latter had promised him the first race as soon as the difficulty in regard to the title was settled.