SCULLING.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12244, 18 June 1909, Page 8

SCULLING.

THE WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP;

BY "NEMO."

The fresh in the river yesterday was not as heavy as might have been expected after the recent rains. > Never-

theless, a strong current was running ■accompanied: by..-a fair sprinkling of ♦drift wood, which, however, was not sufficient to interfere With the work of the scullers. The champion had a couple of good solid rows yesterday, twico covering the championship course in a Txry convincing manner, denoting his .great staying ability. Arast says he feels well, and he certainly looks it. ."Should" defeat be his portion in nevt Tuesday's contest, then methinks lack ■of condition will not be the cause. The challenger is going on very nicely and doing his work thoroughly, and on, 'Tuesday will, I feel certain, be fit to row the race of his life. -Webb Lad a spell yesterday mrrning, but-did a golid two miles spin in the .^afternoon, coming down stream ,at a

Tery round pace. He will probably be ■afloat again this morning, but will not -do any very heavy work from now on. Mr .CoombpSj editor of the "Sydney Referee," arrived by yesterday's mail ~train, and was welcomed at Aramoho by members of the Webb executive and ■other enthusiasts. Upon arrival, Mr Coombes and party were driven to Webb's training quarters, ond saw the •sex-champion'indulging in his daily spin in company with Wheloh. Much interest is now being centred in the forthcoming race, and visitors are already coming to townf so that by the time the crucial hour arrives, qiiitet a large concourse of people should' bo "here.- ,

, A.fine day is required to ensure sueMJese, and if the elements ara propitious then Tuesday next should be a red-let-ter day in Wanganui's history. ;. Speaking to a reporter regarding the .race, Mr R. Coombes, the editor of the "Sydney Referee," who arrived in town gaid :—" When I. was here last November I anticipated Arnst 1 would" wini having; seen His work" in New South Wales. We all know that was

no race,, but it subsequently transpired "that Webb was not' seen at his best, .^through having severely strafined a mus<Ae of?his?left arm. ThiisHt becomes a -ques'tibh, how is-he going to'shape next *xuesday? We know.Webb never had rheumatism at all the last time. He ■as now perfectly right again, xand we should ■ see. an entirely different race. • J can't quite see, however, how the tables are to be turned, in -view of Arnst's previous performance... When I Jeft ■Sydney sporting people were; almost'unanimous", as'they were last time -that Arnst would win, and they seemed more "certain that Arnst would again win; in fact, they" were laying considerable odds on Arnst." : '

The following" extract from the.Syd:uey "Eeferee" will no doubt ,bY read ;ivith much interest by my. readers:— "TKoroughgbod intends returning to " the Parramatta for the purpose of -training Jack Mitchell. He fully in~tends to challenge the winner of that In course of conversation tJiw ■«x-champ:on - assured me that ho

• was far irom being himse'f the day ho mot Pearce. He was not by any -arioaris satisfied with the result of the

xace, and says if he had been as well as when he rowed' Whelch;the title would still be in his keeping. Thorough good has a good opinion of the little New Zealander, and does not to say that* none of fh.e scullers at present on the., Paframatta

-would have a look in wiijh tim." In , r . connection, with the. 7 sculling,. >-cbampionsh'p meeting held on the' Wan.^ganui, River—Webb-Stanburyj "Webb-- ' Tressider and Webb-Arnst matches^one. ~Jialf' of the fares collected on Messrs

Hatriek and; Co.'s steamers have air

wdys been handed to the contestants. 7Tlie' same' course" will b& followed s"on this

next occasion. y Those, therefore, trav--1~ :«llijig" < bT: th^a'firnt'is'boaia'haye- the sat- " isfaction o£ knowing that they are con-. ; . -tributijig substantially to tte training -■' ■ Vexpenses of tho scullera.■:^/'-- ''■' )■ •"•'. '.-/

I have received'a Tetter from Jan . i .of.the,lat© "Harry ' .keenly interested' ■ ■ mv,_' his \ ■■<'..: Jast jgreat^^ race^asking .me/ if by; any {After mucK delvjng^ among" papers worn b^ lage— -tor the race was;.roweduS©ptembef Sih, 1 have" linea^fhed a ; report -of Searle's, final, corii'eat, -' which,-,1.': hefet with reproduce;,'.and^hope j rail -my . .readers besicle; !^Admirer,?..»]will f ,{r,take pleasurein perusing" it.. /\, ;:j: ; .\ •;S:v':'^ '