SCULLING.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18459, 18 April 1922, Page 5

SCULLING.

WORLD’S CHAMPIONSHIP. WADFIELD v. PADDON. TO-DAY’S GREAT RACE.

The Wanganui River will he the scene of a struggle for the world’s sculling championship this afternoon, when Darcy Hmjjiold, the champion will delend his title against Jainp<s Paddon, who aspires to tiio blue ribband of the sculling world. The stakes are £5OO aside. The race will commence at 3.15 p.m., at which hoiu the river should be in idfeal condition for tile historic struggle. Ihe fresh which last week's rani had caused, has disappeared, and there should be dead water when the scullers Hiko up for the start, which will bo by mutual consent. This will be the second race for the sculling championship held on the Wanganui river this year, it being a little over three months sinciv Hadfield defeated Arnst. That there will be an enormous “gate” is certain, provided the weather of yesterday and Sunday is experienced. The town is full of visitors, while the north and south trains will bring in largo numbers to-day. Follow-the-race boats will cartv big complements, the booking, having been very satisfactory. What of the) race? That is a question upon which there is much discussion. The answer will be forthcoming about a quarter to four, or a little later this afternoon. In the meantime, popular opinion favours Hadfield’s chances, though there are not a few who expect the Australian giant to take the title back across the Tasman, where it resided for so many years till W. Webb, the Wanganui oarsman, captured it in 1907. Both men have trained well and carefully. Hadfield makes no secret of the fact that ho is feeling as well as he looks, and his party say that, barring accidents, he will retain the title. Paddon is also in fine fettle, although both he and his pa’ty seem to doubt whether ho has come hack to his best form. Be that as it may, he is a powerful man ■>nd a brilliant sculler, and be cm be depended upon to make a great struggle. What the chan.pion and the challenger think of their chances may be gauged fiom the following statements to press icpresentativea : HADFIELD’S STATEMENT. “Everything,” said Hadfield yesterday, “has gone well with my training, and I am in good form —as fit as 1 could wish to bo. I expect a lull'd race, but hope to be equal to the occasion, and retain the title for New Zealand Since we have met, Paddon and I have been the best of friends. I have found him a fine fellow, and know that he will row a fair race. My weight is about 12.5 as I have put on a bit since the last race, but I am in better form than ever.”

PADDON INTERVIEWED. “I will row at about 13.8,” said Paddon. “J am satisfied lam up against a stilt proposition in meeting Hadfield, and if I win it will only be after a stiff struggle [ hope we will have a fine day, and that the better man will win. 1 know my opponent will row a fair, clean race, aud 1 shall do the same as 1 have always done.” Pacldon went on to say that he did not like the idea of going out to row a race yvithout being steered. He had never"had to row under such conditions before, as in all his previous races both men were allowed steersmen.

Hadfield’s boat has been named the “Wanganui,” and he will row in his old Waitcmata Club colours, royal blue and gold Paddon will row in royal blue aud white. The sweater he will wear when going up to the post is decorated with a “lyre bird tail” worked in silk, that bird being very common in the vicinity of his home and being adopted apparently as a mascot. Paddon’s huge dimensions make his boat’ing arrangements very interesting. He will use sculls of 9ft. Sin. in length, which is two inches longer than any other sculler in Australia uses, with blades 6Jin. in width. The set back of Ins riggers is four inches from the squai e. The length of his sculls and peculiarity of his rigging will bo an eye-opener to rowing men here, but his great height, length of legs and arms enables him to do what seems the impossible. He has demonstrated to his own satisfaction that he can get the best results from such rigging, incredible as it may. seem to those who make a study of' this part of the game.

Passengers are notified that, the ten shilling follow-the-race steamers will leave Hetrick's wharf at 1.30 p m., and the umpire and press boats at 1.45 p.m. sharp. Jo avoid overcrowding, those who "have secured steamer tickets should be down in good time. Both road and steamer passengers will have sufficient time to return to town after the race to entrain for their respective destinations, either at Wanganui or Aramoho, as both north and south trains have been delayed. The official time will be megaphoned from the umpire’s boat to tne pi ess boat immediately after the conclusion of the race. Officials will be stationed al the one mile and two mile posts armed with white and red flags. It Hadfield is leading a red flag will be waved; if Paddon, a white flag. . In the event of a very close fimsfi, should Paddon cross the line first the judge will wave a roya 1 blue flag, and should Hadfield win a gold flag will be waved, as an indication of the result of the race to the follow-the-race steamers. , , , The scullers wall start by mutual consent, choice of position being tossed for l.'V representatives of the contestants. The umpire’s boat, press boat ami other follow-the-race steamers, will leave tlje various landing stages from Hatriek’s wharf at 1.45 p.m. sharp. Tickets for the follow the-race steamers are selling rapidly. They can be obtained from Messrs Hatrick and Co.,' G C. Glenn (treasurer), and C. G. Young (hon. secretary), c/o Young and Collins, ltd.. Avenue, a B per advertisemente on page 6. PADDON’S THANKS. Jim Paddon writes:—On behalf of my party and myself, I wish to sincerely thank the people of Wanganui and district for the many

acts of kindness and hospitality egtended to us (being total stranger! here) during our stay in ycur town I am not able to adequately expresi my feelings iu these few lines, bu‘ may say that the memory ct this trij and the treatment received iron many kind friends wili m one o; cur most pleasant recollections ii years to come, in partic uar I would mention the Darcy Hadfleid sculling committee for making the task o-i getting well for the race with the present champion so much easier than it would have been otherwise also for the active part they are playing in making this race a succesi to my benefit as much as their own thereby taking a very arduous task off our shoulders. Sincere thanks I are also due to Messrs. Smith, l Georgetti, Gedye, Shields, Caines, Watson, and many others —whose names I do not know—who have come along to our camp aud done all in their power to make our staj one round of pleasure while here Whether I win or lose the race on ths 18th Inst., it will give me great plea» sure to meet my friends at Chavanlies’ Hotel after the race at 5 p.m. In conclusion I would like to take this opportunity of saying that the members of the Harbour Board arc deserving of the thanks of all rowing men for having been instrumental in securing the passage through Parliament of a measure which ensures the proper control of traffic on race days.

Darcy Hadfield wishes it known that win or lose he will meet all hie friends at 5 o’clock this evening a< the Rutland Hotel. He also wisher to thank all the Wanganui sport! who have been so kind to him during his stay here, to mention namer would take up too much space, there have been so many of them. He hopes and believes that the public will see a much more interestiug race than last time. In the event of a very close finish, should Paddon cross the line first the judge will wave a royal blue flag, and should Hadfield win a gold flag will be waved, as an indication of the result,of the race to the fol-low-the-race steamers.