AQUATIC.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7037, 17 December 1890, Page 4

AQUATIC.

CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WOELD. M'LEAN DEFEATS KEMP. SYDNEY, Dec. 15. ) Both M'Lean and Kemp are very fit foi ' the race this afternoon, and the struggle ( between the two oarsmen is expected to be , very exciting. More than usual interest it L taken in the race in consequence ol > M'Lean's easy win over Stanbury. The race between Peter Kemp and John [ M'Lean, for the championship of the world : and .£2OO a Bide, took place on the Parra- ' matta river this afternoon. The betting was 6 to 4 on M'Lean. A splendid start was effected, Kemp getting away best. : Approaching Uhr's Point, the champion . had a lead of half a length, rowing forty r strokes to the minute and M'Lean thirty, six. Passing Uhr's the boats were almost level, and as the men raced across towards i Blanland's, both made desperate attempts j to get in front, but neither succeeded. Approaching the beacon, M'Lean got into Kemp's water, and his sculls touched the k latter's. Kemp claimed a foul and ceased J rowing for a couple of strokes, by which ) his opponent got half a length's lead. On getting under way again the champion spurted, and recovered his lost ground to such an extent that on passing the mile ■ beacon he had a lead of a quarter of a length. Both then raced to the southern shore. Their sculls were overlapping, and the spectators were frantic with excitement at I the struggle which was going on. At this ) point two to one was freely laid on Kemp, I but passing Battle-Glass Point M'Lean spurted and gained a slight lead, upon which the betting immediately changed in his favour. Kemp's efforts to get on even I terms failed, and he dropped astern. M'Lean passed Putney two lengths ahead, and went on increasing his advantage, till ' at Cuberita he was eight lengths to the > good. Kemp waa rowing vigorously, but ) seemed unable to decrease the gap to any ■ extent. Between Gladesville and OneMan wharf he gained perceptibly, but by , this time M'Lean .was too far away, and in 1 the end won by sixlengths. Time— 22min ' 13secs. The foul was decided in M'Loan's favour. Both men rowed magnificently. [The news of the defeat of Kemp will cteate some excitement in the aquatic world, but more particularly in Australia, where, despite the slighting remarks of English and American writers, he was regarded as the fastest man in the island continent, and the most finished oarsman . ever seen on the Parramatta. This is the ■ first defeat he has met with since the late Harry Searle deprived him of the champion- \ ship honours, shortly before he made that fatal trip to the Old Country to meet, and ultimately overthrow the champion of America, William O'Connor. After Searle's death Kemp claimed the championship, his right to which was disputed by English and American authorities, though recognised and upheld by Australians. O'Connor and Stanbury also were claimants for the vacant honour, but while the latter waived his claim in favour of his "stable companion," O'Connor left his home for Australia with the view of settling in the usual manner who was most entitled to the right to be dubbed champion of the world. How he arrived in the Colony, and failed to get on a match with Kemp owing to his refusing to row for more than i! 200 a side; how he met Stanbury for that amount and was twice defeated (the first race resulting in O'Connor claiming a foul, though the umpire declined to recognise hia claim) ; how he arranged to meet Kemp in the States and settle the disputed question — all these things are matters of aquatic history. While Kemp and O'Connor were squabbling over their proposed match, John M'Lean, of Shoalhaven, who. was regarded as a rising man, by virtue of his victories over Neilsen andE. Stephenson, who afterwards won the New Zealand ' Championship by defeating Hearn at Wellington, and . only required careful tuition to develop into a 1 first-class man, had arranged to meet the , clever and speedy Neil Matterson. They met on March 28, 1890, and M'Lean won easily. As Matterson was regarded as very little below championship form, this victory of M'Lean's naturally gave him a big lift up the ladder, and as Kemp and , O'Connor were unable to come to terms, : his backers immediately opened . up negotiations for a match with the former for the championship and £200 a side. This ' came off on May 15, when M'Lean was t completely routed. For a brief space he went into retirement, and set himself earnestly to improve his style. In order to assist him his' backers, seeing that he was slow in recovery, so inclined his slide that when his stroke was finished the slope of the seat sent him quickly back. His riggers were placed three inches further forward than usual, to accommodate his \ length of arm, and his sculls were care- , fully weighted. When all was ready he was brought out against Stanbury, whom he defeated on Nov. 17 last, and then he was immediately matched against Kemp ; for JB2OO a side, open to .£soOa side, and the ' championship. The Kemp party decided to include the championship, for they recog- ; nised that if Kemp were defeated it would ' be no use his going to America to row ; O'Connor, who would very probably decline ' to make a match unless the title were added to the stake. As Kemp h&a been defeated there is but little chance of the ; proposed American trip coming off, and as ' M'Lean is now champion, the probability ; is that O'Connor will regret that he did ' not accept the offer, so frequently made while he waa in Australia, to match ; M'Lean against him for a cowrie of ' hundred a side. M'Lean was born on Sept. 17, 1859, stands 6ft "Jin high, and weighs, in condition, list 101b.]