THE LATE JAMES PUNCH.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 14, 18 December 1880, Page 124

THE LATE JAMES PUNCH.

The following sketch of the late Mr. James Punch appeared in a recent issue of a Melbourne contemporary : — "Mr. James Punch is one of the oldest and best known rowing men in Australia, and is not only justly famed for his performances in the boat of the past, but for the enthusiastic interest which he takes in everything appertaining to sport in the present. Born at Brisbane Water, N. S. W., in 1840, he is now 40 years of age ; and thoiigh Trickett and Laycock are now the names that rise to the tip of one's tongue when Australian aquatics are mentioned, there was a time when ' Jim Punch ' was the talisman in rowing circles. When only 15 years of age he rowed his first race of any note on the 30th November, 1856, at the Balmain Regatta for amateurs. It was a skift" race, and he won, beating two others. His next performance was on the 26th December at the Woolloomooloo Regatta, when he won the outrigger race. On the same day he also won a race in dingies for youths under 16. In the following year he beat Dawson for £100 in outriggers. In 1857 he was defeated by Green and Healy. On the 26th December, at the Woolloomooloo Regatta, he was beaten in an outrigger race, but on the same day he and Crowin won the pair-oars, beating the Nicholls Bros. His next appearance was on the 26th of January, ISSS, when he and Crowin Avon the pair-oars, beating six others. He next rowed with M'Grath at the North Shore Regatta, hut was beaten. The same year, however, he Avon the outrigger race as he liked, beating Green and several others; and afterwards he and M'Grath Avon the pairs. On 24th May, 1859, at the Manly Beach Regatta, he beat White, Green and Day ; and with H. Green Avon the pairs. He Avas again defeated by M'Grath on the 30th November at the Balmain Regatta. At the Woolloomooloo Regatta the folio wing month he finished first for the outrigger race, with seven behind him, and the same day, with M'Grath, Avon the pairs. On the same day he beat Green for £100 in outriggers. In 1860, at the Hunter's Hill Regatta, he beat M'Grath and others in outriggers. Beaten by M'Grath the same year, he immediately aftenvards beat Candlish for £100 in outriggers. His next race Avas on thd 25th May, 1861, Avhen he and M'Grath beat R. Green and H. White for £500 aside, on the Parramatta River. Shortly after R. and H. Green made a match for the same amount and on the same river, to be roAved for on the 22nd June. Punch and his mate were beaten by half-a-length ; the outcome of it Avas that another match Avas made betAveen the four men, for same amount, to be rowed for on the 24th August, 1861, when Punch and M'Grath turned the tables on the Greens. At Hobart Toavii Regatta, on the 6th Dec, he Avas one of the winning crew in the Whaleboat Race of eight miles, for £100, eight creAvs competing. In 1562 he beat Ben Oxlade, of London, on the Yarra, £100 a-side. He always took a liA r ely interest in roAving, and he Avas the first to bring Trickett out. On the 20th February, 1876, he took Trickett home to row for the championship. Laycock, too, has reason to be grateful to the kindly advice and assistance of Mr. Punch, who has never been "backward in coming to the aid of any young rower /wanting to make a" match. He is always Avilling to do all in his power to help the young oarsmen of his colony, t either with money or boat. And for this reason alone he is deservedly one of the most popular men in NeAV South Wales, where no name is more of a household word than that of James Punch."