THE GREAT SCULLING RACE ON THE PARAMATTA FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 7, 17 August 1907, Page 7

THE GREAT SCULLING RACE ON THE PARAMATTA FOR THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD.

A NOTABLE AND USEFUL N.Z. BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION.

modation for the “ mother ” or “ sister n in charge, while the dining-room, school kitchen, storerooms, and quarters for the staff are common for the whole institution. 'The Board has adopted this “ pavilion” system, and a comprehensive scheme, a part of which only it is proposed to build at present, so that as additions are required it will be possible to avoid the inharmonious result so often seen in growing institutions. Tiie complete plan provides for a central administrative block, flanked by two pavilions on each side, with the diningroom behind the central block and kitchen, storerooms, and laundry in the rear. The pavilions run approximately north and south, and will be connected with tin central block and one another by a covered way, open at the sides and divided along the centre, so as to provide a sheltered yet open gangway in all weathers, and a sheltered outdoor playroom, both in summer and winter. A small isolation cottage of two rooms is provided in ease of the outbreak of infectious disease. The school house is designed to meet the requirements of a primary school, on the same lines as those of the Government Education Department. The administrative block, which is to be the chief architectural feature, is a two-storied building, containing, besides the matron’s and servants' quarters, the offices and the work rooms, also sleeping accommodation for the senior girls, who will be the matron’s special care. The high tower serves as a water-tower for ordinary use and in case of fire. The aim of the Board has been to provide .safe and healthy buildings, making provision for the care of those under their charge at a standard not less than that thought reasonable by the State. An elevation and plan of the complete block, suitable for 120 children, is given in this issue, but the’ cost of the whole is prohibitory at present, and it is proposed to erect a portion only at first, at a cost of about £lo,ooo> the remainder being left for completion as funds are collected or hoped-for legacies received. Towards the above estimate of £lO,OOO there is a Building Fund in hand of about £5OOO, to which may be added £lOOO promised by the late Archdeacon Samuel Williams, on condition that £4OOO be raised by subscription before the end of 1907 (of which about £2BOO only has yet been collected), and £5OO promised by Government when satisfactory progress has been made with the building. Thia lexves £l2OO to be raised by public contribution to secure Archdeacon Williams’ £lOOO, and an additional £l3OO to complete the above £lO.OOO. The scheme is one which needs few words of ours to commend it to the generosity of those able to give something in recognition of the worldly benefits they enjoy. THT SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. A SURPRISING VICTORY. SYDNEY, August 7<>n Saturday Charles Towns, in his first attempt to defend it. lost the sculling championship of the work!, ami William Webb, the first New Zealander who ever aspired to the title, takes it back with him to the little colony of strenuous sportsmen across the Tasman Sea. When the men got to the starting place, the tide was just about turning to ebb. and the water was smooth. Webb had won choice of stations, and took the south side, but there was no advantage. After one or two false starts, the men got away on even terms, rowing about 35 per minute. Towns at once obtained a slight lead, but it was very little—at the quarter-mile it <as about a quarter of a length. Passing I hr's Point. Towns led by a half length or more, the time being lin 40s. As the men rowed along the difference in style was very marked. Towns was w< tilling beautifully, with a long awinging *trc »ke, and a smart jump on the bepnmng, and every bit of power he had

was put on to his sculls. Webb, on the other hand, was not nearly so neat; but he reached out well, using his body with good effect, and pushing hard with his legs. He was rather faulty on the first part of the stroke, but had a very hard finish, and when his sculls came out of the water there was a heap of wash from the swirl. Webb at first kept too much to the Mortlake side, but after passing Mortlake Point (time 7m.) he shot far towards Towns’ side. The men now rowed about level, and were hard at it. Webb again came too close to Towns, and it could be seen that there would not be room for the latter to clear Putney Point, which was about 300 yards away. There was a sufficiency of room on both sides at this point, but no chance for Towns to clear the point until Webb pulled out. Webb drew slightly ahead, but so close were the boats that the sculls overlapped, and there was a slight foul.

Towns appealed by holding up his hand, and after missing a stroke went after Webb, who had gone on rowing. There was a great deal of expression of opinion on the umpire’s boat as to what the referee (Mr. M. Kush) would do in regard to Towns’ claim. So far as could be seen it was want of experience that caused Webb to get too close to his rival, and as he had caught his man and was leaving him, he had all to lose and nothing to win by getting into Towns’ water. It was not much detriment to Towns, but it was undoubtedly a foul under the rules.

George Towns, ex-champion, said he was truly sorry about the foul. His brothei- rowed a fair race. Asked if he would be a challenger to Webb, he said, “1 handed the championship over to Charlie, anti I will not challenge the winner."’ He went on to say that Webb had surprised him by his paee. He had thought that Webb had some points to learn; but he got a lot of paee out of l.is boat.

Asked as to the probability of his brother making an attempt to win back the championship, Mr. Towns said: “The matter has not been discussed yet; but at present Charlie is so broken up over the decision being given against him that he feels like never rowing again.,. You know, when he touched Webb he stopped rowing, quite confident that the race was his. Everyone in the vicinity thiAight so, too, and I know of several instances Avhere money was paid over on the assumption that it was a foul.” WEBB’S OPINION OF THE RACE. A knot of admirers gathered on the rocks to congratulate Webb as he rowed baek to his quarters at Abbotsford. Their ardour, however, received a bit of a setback as he responded: "Thanks; but don’t hurry with your congratulations until you know the result.” "Why, did he catch you?” “No; but there’s a foul to be considered.” "Up to a mile and a-half it was a very good go; we both appeared to be rowing well. I rowed my race as well as 1 expected, and, as I thought, fairly and squarely. As for the collision, I regret it as much as anybody, for I did not want to take advantage of any points at all. We got off the mark together. Towns was a bit too fast at the start, and led by a length or so in places. I just rowed a solid race right through, getting ahead just before getting to Putney.” WHAT CHARLIE TOWNS SAID. A little knot of people awaited Charlie Towns' return at his boatshed. Mortlake. He came home in a motor boat, and when he landed he had every appearance of a man '•broken up" by the events of the day. His brother George, the exchampion. was with him. and hurried him through the crowd, who gave three cheers for the vanquished. On his way to tea Charlie was asked if he would not give an explanation of what occurred. He described the race to Mortlake, “and when we were close up to there,” he said, "Webb rower! into my water, anil we fouled.” "DM you think you had a chance when Webb began to pass you,” he was asked. “Yes,” was the reply, “until the foul, and then—— “You stopperl rowing, eh?” *’l protected." “Then why did you not go on afterward*. and do what .you thought you could» . “1 was too far behind.’’