AQUATICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 911, 22 August 1907, Page 11

AQUATICS.

RETURN OF WIRI WEBB. THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD BROUGHT TO NEW ZEALAND. Webb, the winner of the sculling championship, returned by the Monowai last week, and was met at Wellington by a large number of enthusiasts, including many Wanganui residents. On being questioned by a “ Post” reporter regarding the alleged foul, Webb said he did not regard it as vital to the race. “ What are your plans with regard to the challenges?” was the next question. “ Well, you had better ask Mr. Tuck about that,” was the response. “I leave arrangements to him, but I can assure you the next race will be rowed on the Wanganui River.” Mr. Tuck stated that they had three months to decide what to do in the matter of the challenge by Tresidder. The race would come off almost for a certainty in February, and would, of course, be rowed at Wanganui. Webb was accorded a most enthusiastic reception at the Town Hall at 5.15 o’clock. Parliament had risen half-an-hour earlier than usual to enable members to be present. A huge crowd of people attended, and the utmost enthusiasm was displayed. The Mayor (Mr. T. W. Hislop) extended to the champion sculler the hearty congratulations of Wellington and New Zealand generally. It was a pleasing feature that the champion was the son of an old colonist, who was highly respected at Lyttelton, where he had lived for 40 years. He hoped Webb would retain the championship for many years, and when advancing years caused him to surrender the honour, it would be to a New Zealander. The Premier expressed the great pleasure they all felt at having the champion sculler of the world in their midst. He congratulated Webb on his win. It was to the credit of the Empire that one little incident which had occurred was not allowed to stand in the way of the result, while his opponent had generously acknowledged in the spirit of a sportsman that the best man had won. He agreed with Webb that the next contest for the championship should be rowed on the Wanganui River. He hoped Webb would long continue to hold the championship. Mr. A. T. Ngata, M.H.R., congratulated Webb on behalf of the Maori race.

Mr. W. H. Field, M.H.R., also spoke. Webb was vociferously cheered when he rose to respond. He said that but for his trainer, Barnett, he probably would not have won. He also praised the .sportsmanlike way in which Mr. Tuck, of Wanganui, came forward and provided the money which enabled the match to take place. After Mr. Tuck and Mr. Barnett had spoken, the audience broke into renewed cheering, waved their hats, and sang “ For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” A unique feature of the reception was a speech of welcome on behalf of the Maori people, delivered by Mr. Ngata, one of the Maori members of Parliament. It was indeed the best of all the speeches, being excellent in sentiment and perfect in the correctness of its English. He said that in every Maori settlement throughout New Zealand Webb’s victory would be known as the event of the year. He cleverly applied an old Maori proverb, “When the school of fish has passed Nakutaurua they do not go back.” This place is well known as a point on the coast of the North Island. Modernising that old proverb, he would say that Mr. Webb, having brought the championship back to New Zealand, it would not go back. (Cheers.) Mr. Ngata concluded by dramatically reciting the famous “Ka mate” chorus, concluding with a free translation of the last line, “ The sun shines on our victory.” On resuming his seat he received quite an ovation.

In regard to the above, we clip the following from an exchange: — At the meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council during the week the Mayor (Mr. S. R. Webb), read the circular letter sent out by the Mayor of Wanganui, in reference to a public recepticn and testimonial to the winner of the champion sculling race. His Worship made the following statement in reference to the matter: —“I have received a circular from the Mayor of Wanganui inviting me in my official capacity to solicit contributions towards a memorial to William Webb, the Lyttelton-born sculler, who recently won the sculling champion-

ship of the world at Sydney. As Mayor of the town which claims the champion as one of its sons, apart from, the. close kinship which exists ibetween us, I-would, naturally, he the last to throw cold water on any reasonable proposal to do r him honour, and I have no possible doubt that his great achievement is fully recognised and highly esteemed among all classes of the people of Lyttelton. But, Whilst saying this, I also wish to say that in my opinion the action of his friends at Wanganui has done much to bring into ridicule his undoubtedly magnificent victory. Had the good folk of Wanganui merely invited the co-operation of the various rowing clubs to assist them in honouring the champion, no very serious objection could have been taken, but they have for the time allowed their enthusiasm to outrun their judgment. I have ascertained that this view is also shared by the more immediate followers of aquatics at Lyttelton, who have already made some provision should Mr. Webb visit his birthplace at an early date, to provide a fitting public recognition of his victory. In these circumstances I do not think it necessary at present to take any other steps. In the name of the people of Lyttelton I sent- a cable message conveying congratulations to Mr. Webb immediately the news of his win reached us.” The members of the Council expressed approval of the Mayor’s statement and also of his action in sending the cable.

? To which we respectfully add: That many thousands of years ago the two most virile and important nations of the world, Greece and Rome, to wit, were always disposed to reward their athletic champions after a victory in the same fashion as the Wanganuians wish to reward Wiri Webb. These two nations were, unrivalled as conquerors of the world, and had they stuck to their athletics might still have been “ the golden suns that shine through years of night!” The woolly-whiskered “wowsers” of Mr. S. R. Webb’s stamp, who frown with green gums and narrowed brain on the enthusiastic reception of a national champion, will some day be instrumental in reducing God’s Own Country to the level of Nero’s Rome and the Greece of Agape.