WHO WILL WIN?

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 129, 24 February 1908, Page 6

WHO WILL WIN?

THE CHAMPION SCULLERS SUMMEC UP.

AN EXPERT VIEW. , . BOTH STAYERS—WEBB FASTER. , (BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) Wanganul, February 22. Wanganui is suffering from a bad ■ attack of scullitis. The .town fairly buzzes with sculling talk, and tho imagination staggeri at the thought of what it will be like the night before the race. As regards the night after, tho struggle, it is certain ' that if Tresidder wins Wanganui .will be sunk.'ir the depths , of woo, but ;if Webb; comes, out, on top it will fairly shift its .position on the map. ■ '■ ■ ■ ' -

What's all this about some boat race?" queries a sarcastic one, generally a visitor who. wishes to'have a good-humoured dig at •Wangamii-ites. While one is endeavouring to : think of. a reply equally cutting, . one's arm is roughly seized, and an anxious request tor_ the very • latest information from Kaiwhaiki is brcathed'iu his ear, interrupted by an ear-splitting yell from'a small boy at your elbow; . "Ere y'arj fo'r yer Webb badges." • "! >•' ■ , ' ■' A CEROLEAN TINT. ( The persecuted one endeavours to escape, only to 1 be nearly, upset by a. dog, which gets between his legs; and, .as the. dog, rapidly makes : himself scarce, he , observes that the canine is-.; decorated ( with ,bluo > streamers, •flaunting gaily from the tufts on his head and tail. Yes, oven the dogs are being decorated. The whole town has taken on a cerulean tint. ■ Nothing shocking is to bo inferredfrom;this;i it only means .that the majority, being New Zealanders, are. sporting Webb's colours. Every second shop window is draped with blue, out most of the worthy _ tradesmen are good sports, and throw in a liberal dash of , Tresidder's whita and blue as well.

In fact, tho challenger's colours arc in protty fair ovidenco, many exiled Cornstalks having arrived from all parts of the Dominion,' in addition' to contingents of Sydney iand-Newcastle sports,, who come over holiday-making. An Australian collier, from the West Coast, debates loudly with a New Zealand bushwhacker" ifrom Ohotu Block, while the navvy,-from the Main Trunk— most of him' is-Australian—goes round looking for adds from, the wharf lumper, who barracks for Webb. Bush farmers who have not .'taken a iholiday for years have; come to town to seo the race for the World's Championship, while local folk are continually.greeting long-parted friends from every part of the Dominion. ' .\.-. WEBB'S FAST TRIAL.

Of course, : the; absorbing topic is "Who will win?" I say Webb. Tresidder will probably row tlio race of'his life. Ho is in good condition, and is" fit to. stay over ten milbsy but I don't think he is fast enough, and, after comparing the two men, , cannot see that he has a chance of heading Webb at tho finish. ; ■: : . Very scanty news comes: from>Kaiwhaiki. Webb takes his last row on Sunday morning. He has done a good trial" time, and, comparing his mile with that of Tresidder's, who never clocks' the full course, I have the best authority for saying that it is faster. Tresiddor will, wind l. up right to the finish, and may even go out for a finishing canter on the morning of tho race itself. Both men and their supporters are crmallv confident, both arc. equally fit, and both aro equally: game arid . determined. Itl is. therefore, only a question of speed, : and in thia I' e'xpect Webb to show superiority

WEATHER PROSPECTS. (BT TELEGRAPH— ASSOCIATION. ) v , , ... • , Wanganiii, February 23. , Webb and Tresidder, who are to row for: tho Sculling Championship of the "World on Tuesday,' have now practically, cpmpletcd their training operations. Neither man did any solid work to-day, and very , littlo will be dono .to-morrow., \ : On; Saturday Webb had only one spin, which rumour has it was a very satisfactory trial. ■ (.■ . Tresidder was out in'the morning. Ho ia still - very; confident of carrying off tho honours. . •'. ~.; i The town is full of visitors. Heavy rain fell oil Saturday night, and there is , ah .'uncertainty about'' the weather, prospects, >vhicli is causing discussion' among sculling enthusiasts. ' ■