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Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 59, 16 April 1914, Page 6

Harry Floyd, the aforetime mentor of Arnst, ex-world's champion sculler, has not minced matters with respect to his Opinions of the new Australian aspirant for the honour of head of the river. The la-test challenger is Paddon', a typical Cornstalk, who has demonstrated his worthiness to put Barry to the test. That is not to say that Paddon is yet ; a champion sufficiently doughty to be classed with the world-beaters. But in Australian waters he has shown excellent form and much promise, and it is because he promises to develop that Paddon's admirers are sending liim Home. Pearce, a splendid waterman, but not a proven stayer of the exhaust-, ing championship course, failed badly against the Englishman who, since his defeat by Arnst on the Zambesi, has not looked back. The New Zealander was to pay dearly for that success on the Thames later on. Floyd in his criticism of the challenger to the title has probably hit on Paddon's greatest defect —a lack of watermanship. He (Paddon) is a big fellow with a long, powerful sweep, but the discerning critics in all his matches drew attention to his awkwardness. That shortage of expertness in rough water would not have mattered on the comparatively smooth floods of the Wanganui Eiver or the Parramatta, but if one thing counts more than another on old Thames, it is the ability to use a boat —as distinct from driving it. The water that comprises the championship course on the Thames '' works'' wickedly at times, as even such a line waterman as Pearce discovered. Arnst pulled himself to a standstill, the while Barry, who is intimate with every swirl on the river, went down with an even stroke —the outcome of his fine skill—to win easily and finish comfortably. Paddon would do well for himself did he engage the services of the veteran Floyd, who, though not a champion himself, knows what goes to make up one.