WEBB VICTORIOUS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 131, 26 February 1908, Page 8

WEBB VICTORIOUS.

rHE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP RACE.

WON BY 2| LENGTHS.

GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE CONTEST.

A GREAT DAY AT WANGANUI.

(BT TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL COBBESFONDENTB.) ■■■.-■ 1 : " ' / : / V ■ ......

Wanganuli February 25. The'great race,is over,' aqd New. Zealand still - holds tho championship. of tho world; . and 1 the heart of Wanganui:. beats joyously at the proved skill of her champion, William Webb. Critics stated-that Stanbury was an.old man to row for a.cna'mpionship; they ialso stated that Charles Towns only held the: title through his fortune in being the brother of George Towns; but with-Tres- .' sidder a doubt did really exist as-'to whether • Webb would' defeat an oarsman with so fine a record, and still in.the primo of life—All doubts ' were swept away in the tussle for the rowing supremacy decided on the Wau-1 ■ ganiil River' yesterday afternoon amidst n. scene of enthusiasm eclipsing all other funo-1 tions, rowing. or otherwise, ever.held, on tho ■ river. It may be'that away back in the romote past, - when the Wanganui tribe was •'at : ; tho 7 zenith - ; of its; strength, the -fiver, was ploughed by creaking war canoes, imperilled by a company of tattooed warriors in friendly race, while - the . women, pranced : rouniJ'.inifhytljmical. motion encouraging Ctho , rowers;. but ! history .'does hoc . tell'/ that ..they ' had a Webb, and ; nothing' else matters at present.' • 'i.■ \The officials' boat,! the Waiono, which had as-passengers tho umpiro (Mr.. Cecil Wray), Webb's backer (Mr. W.; Tuck), Messrs. Harkins and Cameron (chairman, and treasurer of tho Tresidder Committee), Mr. J; Hogan, M.P.', and a large number ,of well-known poople from - all parts of tho' Dominion, a good number of whom wore oarsmen and:exoarsmen,: arrived at tho start,nearly eleven miles from Wanjranui,-at 3.30 p.m. At'.-.'.4 p.m.-t, there .was a cry of " Herei-thoy : come," - and a . 10ne... sculler, was / seen pulling leisurely ■'. round - tlio- ' nearest :'-;bend. ' Tho glasses;' said it was Wobb. As ho' pulled- past the Waiono three cheers were given, for the, represent!-, tiro-of the Dominion, and it was easy; to percelve:tbat ho was trained to the minuto. He was rosy'with; condition, a warm- flush suffusing, his sun-browned,;skin, : and he. had ; a cleartut'business air.about him that was' attractive.- ;-. '•' - Ten ; .minutes .later'.'.Dick Tresidder 'scaled into ..view, a ;little .broader' and.' sqiiarer andihis - he.ad: set lower pn\ his shoulders. Webb pulled down to the start'ing^^;:: on his sculls,; while his' opponent' indulged '-in!a .'few little'sprints up end down tho river.;; , ,