AQUATICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XV, Issue 871, 15 November 1906, Page 12

AQUATICS.

(By

“ The Reefer.”)

THE STANBURY V. WEBB SCULLING MATCH. SOME PARTICULARS OF THE CONTESTANTS. (By Our Special Representative.) The arrival of Jas. Stanbury in New Zealand to row W. Webb on the Wanganui River on Boxing Day for a purse of £2OO a-side has created quite a stir in aquatic circles, and perhaps some particulars of the contestants may be of interest to readers. James Stanbury, ex-champion sculler of the world, was born February 25, 1868, in the Hawkesbury district of New South Wales. He was put as a lad to agricultural pursuits, but later engaged in the fishing trade, and while at this calling learned the rudiments of rowing. Twenty-one years ago he rowed and won his first race, this being a skiff race at Nowra. Then successes came thick and fast, wins going to his credit at Greenhill Point regatta at Shoalhaven, whilst at the Nowra regatta he gave an inkling of his possibilities in the sculling world by winning no less than four races, these being the local outrigger, champion outrigger, skiff and double sculls events. January 14, 1887, Stanbury defeated Peter Kemp, Neil Materson and Chris. Neilson in the Lake Bathurst Handicap. Chris. Neilson lowered Stanbury’s colours at the Shoalhaven regatta the same month, at which meeting Stanbury won the outrigger handicap. June 15 of the same year Neilson again defeated Stanbury over the Parramatta course, the stake being £lOO a-side. Stanbury’s next appearance was at Shoalhaven on January 26, 1888, when he won the handicap and champion outrigger races, and on April 7 won from R. Campbell on the Hunter River for £5O a-side. June 2 Julius Wolfe succumbed to the coming champion. July 13 the same year Stanbury was beaten by two lengths by Searle, the phenomenon, whose great career was cut short by death all too soon. After Searle’s death there were many claimed the championship, and eventually a match was arranged between the American, O’Connor, and Stanbury, for the championship of the world. They met on the Parramatta on June 23, 1890, Stanbury winning by four lengths in 20min 28sec. O’Connor, however, complained of unfair treatment at Stanbury’s hands during the race. On hearing of this the latter determined that he would not be to blame, so offered to row O’Connor again, and as proof of his belief that he had won on his merits offered to bet O’Connor £lOOO to 2s 6d that he could beat him again, and he succeeded in doing so one week later. Twice later Stanbury got home ahead of J. McLean, and after having rowed clean away from Tom Sullivan, the New Zealander, he went' to America seeking fresh fields or;streams to con-

quer. No match resulted, and Stan bury returned to Australia, and for some t : me the skiffs knew him not. In 1896 he went to England to row “Wag” Harding, the 9st 61b wonder, who was supposed to be unbeatable, but Stanbury added one more scalp to his belt by winning easily. Gaudaur beat Stanbury the same year, the latter’s claim on a foul being disallowed. He then returned to Australia and won from Geo. Towns, but was beaten by Towns on July 28 last. Stanbury at present is the picture of health, but would probably be better served from a rowing standpoint if he scaled about a stone less avoirdupois. His unassuming manner has made him many friends in Wanganui, and his daily spins on the river attract large attendances. Already several clubs in the colony have made overtures to Stanbury to give exhibitions in different parts of the colony, and it is quite on the cards that the burly oarsman will be seen in his boat, in New Zealand waters where rowing men congregate.

William Webb, who is matched to row Stanbury, is a New Zealander, claiming Lyttelton as his birthplace. His height .is sft 10%in, and his rowing weight lOst'7lb. For some time past he has been engaged at the pipe works in Wanganui, but latterly has relinquished his position so that he might devote his time to training. His style in a boat is more pleasing than that of his redoubtable opponent, but perhaps he is just a little bit too fit, seeing that the race does not eventuate until next Boxing Day. For the past nine and a-half years Webb has been a member of the Union Boating Club, Wanganui, and since the year 1900 his record is as follows: —Ist Maiden double sculls, 2nd junior fours, unplaced junior clinker fours, Wanganui; Ist junior single sculls, Ist champion single sculls, Wanganui. 19021903 —i s t Senior single sculls, Wellington. 1903-1904—1st Senior fours, Ist senior single sculls at Wellington and Ist senior single sculls. Wanganui. 1904-1905. —2nd Champion single sculls, Ist champion double sculls, WelTngton; Ist senior clinker fours, Ist senior fours, Ist senior single sculls. 1905-1906. — Ist Champion single sculls, Ist chamnion double sculls at Picton; Ist senior fours at Waitara, and Ist senior single sculls 'I Wanganui.

The Wanganui committee who are putting up Webb’s stake have determined that he shall have every chance of beating his opponent, and with that end in view have ordered a racing boat from Geo. Towns, the only stipulation made being that Towns shall build the best he can. To endeavour to forecast a winner at this writing would be difficult. Stanbury has on his side years of experience, and a reputation that would frighten very many aspirants for sculling honours. Webb, on the other hand, has won his victories in the amateur ranks, and has yet to defeat a man of considerable note. Still, New Zealand has raised a “Carbine,” a “Billy Murphy,” and an “ All Black” football team, and

who is to say that the time has not arrived when this fair land may claim that she has produced an oarsman. There will be a crowd on the banks of the Wanganui River on Boxing Day, and doubtless they will be satisfied to see the best man win.

By the way, I noticed on Saturday one yacht flying the burgee of one club and the ensign of another. It is perhaps needless to point out that this is a breach of flag etiquette.

I notice that another navigator contemplates attempting to sail round the world, this time in a barrel-shaped boat. From the number who lightly undertake this, one would think it was child’s play. For his own sake I trust the latest will not be allowed to leave port.

The Royals’ race from Mateatea to Kawau on Saturday resulted in a win on time for Commodore Murdoch’s cutter Ida. The starters were Rainbow, Ida, Moana, Ladye Wilma, Mahaki, and Ngatira. It was a reach across, the strong sou’-wester necessitating double reefs being in, and there was a fair lop of a sea. Rainbow reached Kawau first, Moana, Ida, Wilma and Ngatira following in that order, after a very fast-sailed race. The yachtsmen were subsequently entertained by Mr. Farmer at Kawau. The homeward trip on Sunday was a light-weather one.

St. George’s Rowing Club held a very successful “At Home” on Saturday, which was very largely attended. A procession of boats and some aquatic sports helped to beguile the time, while afternoon tea was also dispensed.

From one reason or another the ceremony at the opening of the sailing season by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadorn and kindred clubs proved an utter failure. Of all the large white-winged fleet only seven could be found to turn out to follow Commodore Murdoch, while of the launches there were but three. Certainly the weather was bad, and a number of yachts are not in the water yet, but no excuse can be found for those whose yachts were in commission, but who failed to attend. Perhaps it would be well in future to hold the official opening later in the season, and, taking a hint from the Power Boat Association, make a regulation that all yachts absent without leave be ineligible for any races during the season.

The evolution at the season’s opening by the N.Z. Power Boat Association was a great success, and this despite the fact that the weather was all against the small launches, some of the squalls being very violent. The manoeuvres were well carried out, nearly forty boats finally saluting the Commodore.

The “ prize motor dinghy” was out at the opening of the season on Saturday, and her evolutions were viewed with interest. Her skipper was not greatly envied his trip in the lumpy water.

Among the many launches present at the opening on Saturday were several new ones, while some old friends looked radiant in new paint.’ Mr. Gifford’s cruiser was out, and is a very handsome vessel. Mr. Winkleman’s little Riwaka was also to be seen, together with a number of others whose names I could not distinguish.

Rainbow turned out on Saturday in very fine order, and Mr. Mackay and his crew are to be congratulated on her appearance. It was not an easy task to hold her back to the speed of the slowest yacht.

Rear-Commodore J. Alexander has Maroro in fine order this season. I have to thank him for a seat on board at the opening ceremony.

Commodore Whitley entertained a large party on the Matareko on the occasion of the opening of the season.