AQUATIC.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 8010, 10 October 1892, Page 2

AQUATIC.

The Sculling Handicap.

It was antioipatod (sayi an Australian paper) that, in accordance with the decision of the committee, the, third heat of the second round of the sculling handicap, the competitors being Sullivan and Kemp, would be re-rowed. It was, however, declared off in consequence of the refusal of Sullivan to row. Snllivan considers that, as he started for the heat on Wednesday, and as he finished, ho ought to be declared the winner.

A correspondent writes — Various rumors are afloat ao to the cause of the disappointment experienced by all lovers of aquatics at the non-appearance ef Peter Kemp at the starting pose for the Professional Sculling Handicap on Tuesday. The real f iots, I believe, art as follows : — Mr J. Davis, tho duly appointed starter, and his assistant, Mr T. Punch, as usual, went up to the starting point on the steamer North' utnbria. On the way they were hailed by Sullivan, who asked to be taken up on the steamer and for his boat to be towed, to save him the trouble of rowing up to the post. This request was at once acceded to, and he went on board. It was then sug- 1 gested that the ex-champion should be I called for, and his boat also taken up. This was agreed to, and a call was mode at Kemp's boatshed. He was not found there and it being thought he h&d rowed up, the steamer proceeded to tne'j storting point. Here there was no sign of temp, and the arrival of the steamer from Circular Quay was anxiously awaited. On their arrival, as Xecap did not put in an appearance, and no one knew anything of him, Mr Davis decided after due consideration to send Sullivan, who had meantime been waiting in rowing costume in the cold, off alone, and he duly rowed over and claimed the heat. Kemp some time after put in an appearance and protested against the aotion of the starter, characterising Sullivan's conduct in rowing over as "mean." He was asked why ' ho did not come to tho post at the time appointed, when he said that " some man whom he did not know " had given him a piece of paper on which it was written that he and Sullivan were to meet in the last heat yesterday. He was reminded that it was advertised that he and Sullivan were to meet first, and that on the previous day he had been at the post at tbe appointed time, and, on the decision of the committee to postpone the racing owing, to the unfavourable wecthor being madejknown, he wai told to be there at the samo time next day. He admitted this, but yet protested against the heat being awarded to Sullivan. In \h'm ho had a number of supporters, and the committee, stultifying its own ofuoials, declared the heat void, and otdered it to he rowed over again. On thjs decision being arrbed at Messrs Davis and Punoh at once resigned their positions, the former deolaring ho would start no more if Kemp were, allowd to tow again. Sullivan also <le» olinedto tow again.