SCULLING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 12584, 3 October 1908, Page 5

SCULLING.

TOWNS v BARRY.

LONON, October 2. Barry covered the full course in 21min 43§sec. ■ „,.,.*. [Yesterday's cables informed us that Towns' time over, the full course was 22min 25sec. The Thames course is four miles and a quarter.]

THE WHELCH-THOROUGHGOOD

MATCH.

WHELCH'S TRAINING.

(Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 2. The Akaroa correspondent of the Press writes: "Whelch is "Sow -doing solid weak, taking a couple of spins daily over a three mile course, going B pjendidly and fully demonstrating his ability to last the distance. He puts plenty of vim into his stroke and gets good pace out of his boat. His rowing of the last mile will come as a surprise to those who doubt hie staying powers. Rowing about 30, he cuts the distance out in a time which fully justifies the confidence of his backers. He will sign the articles tc-day and cover ' ThoTOUghKood's deposit. It is expected Whelch will leave for Australia in a fortmgnt.

BY "VICTOR." The cable published yesterday stating that George Towns had rowed over the full Thames championship course in ZZmin, 25sec has caused some discussion in local rowing circles, and I have received several inquiries as to how the performance compares with Australian and New Zealand times. In answer to my correspondents, i would like to point out that the Thames championship course from Putney *<> Mor *r lake is 4* miles in length, and the fastest time it has ever been covered in was 21mm lsec, by Edward Hanlan in 1879. Jacob Gaudaur registered similar tune in 1896. while "Wag" Harding once Towed the course in 21min 15sec. It must be remembered that the Thames is a swift running river, much more so than the Parramatta, and there would probaHy Be a four mile an hour tide with the Bcullers in such rows as those recorded above. The three miles and a quarter rowed by Webb m 20min 28sec when he defeated Tresidder last February on the Wanganui River was on practically dead water, that is, the scullers had really no assistance from any current. Under the circumstances, it is impossible to compare the times registered on the Tames by that recorded here. A cable received to-day states that Barry rowed the Thames course on Thursday in 21min 43£ sec, nearly 40 seconds faster than Towns. However, it is evident that the latter is in very good form, and such being the case, he looks to have a big chance of defeating Barry on Monday week next.