The Timaru Herald MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1907. A DOUBLE VICTORY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13356, 5 August 1907, Page 4

The Timaru Herald MONDAY, AUGUST 5, 1907. A DOUBLE VICTORY.

Our cable-mes-sage column contains highly interesting news, relating to the double victory which New Zealand gained in tho .Stut'.i; of the Commonwealth on Siilurdiiy lust. Football is so much with us in Urn winter of each year, thiit. pride of placo on this important occasion cim with justice bn given to the- win of the New ZcaUinder in the great sculling race for Hie • professional championship of the world. Professional rowing, so far as the Mother Countiy ia concerned, has been practically dead for yearn, and Ibis fact has been keenly deplored ; both there and in the. colonics. On the other < hand, however, as we- pointed out in a. brief review ;i week or two ago, of the Henley Regatta, amateur .rowing is very popular in Kngland, though sonic of its chief prizes have- gone to foreigners. With the wresting of the crown of professional rowing from English bauds, tlm scene of the great contest was shifted to Llie colonies, io the Still* of New South Walefi, and the. Parramatta, liver has become historic- in their annals. During the past year, the championships both of tin.' world iind of England have drifted into a peculiar position. At tho close of 1936, Ueorgc Towns held them both, but- he resigned or handed over that of the world to his brother Charles, whiks still retaining that of England. The latter ,is just now in what may be 'termed the rowing court of appeal, as Ugorge Towns' right to hold it has been challenged. A'i to the world's championship, rowing men accepted the abdication, and, therefor;;, it was Charles Towns who took up the challenge laid down by Webb. The latter was up to Saturday, practically unlrh'd so far as first-class raws were concerned. He hud been known in, rowing circles as. a very fair amateur; and when he defeated tho veteran Slanbuiy on tho Wanganui river so decisively a few months ago; was looked upon a« .a coining .man. Outside, however; of an 'enthusiastic ■ eirolo of Wanganui friends, it is safe to say that his easy defeat of Charles Towns came, as a surprise. Now that Webb has won, the iscen*? of the. next great contest will be tho Wanganui river, and Webb will not be long before he will be biwy defending the title. Tivssider, the champion, of Australia, will no doubt be tha first to mak« an attack upon him, and should he not be successful, the chances are that another New Zcalandcr will bo after the great trophy. It is to be hoped that the present win will cause professional lowing io become more popular, for it is a isporb' that .appeals strongly to a largesection'in tho colonics. As Io (he otlur victory, that of the New Zealand footballers,, there is littli: to add to our review of.the first'test match. The team's record now shows that liw matchers havo been won and one. match lost. Only tho third test (or ngainst New South Wn'esl remains to be played vfa the tour olos.s. Saturday's game was evidently among tho best of the tour; but the whole senjs has plainly shown that during the • last year or two, Hugby hau made splendid: strides in both New South Wales and Queensland. 'This is to our mind Iho chief explanation of the highly creditable showing by Australia, rather than as is suggested in some Ojuartcrs; that the New Zealanders are not so good a combination

R.i; that, which toured Australia in. say, 1903. Tucal enthusiasts can certainly be very proud (if this swusoii'fi victories fur in all ths matches the Canterbury representatives have acquitted themselves in iv most worthy manner.