SCULLING.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 487, 21 April 1909, Page 8

SCULLING.

v WEBB IN WANGANUI. . ' Writing in Monday's Wanganui "Herald," "Victor" says:—"W.-Webb arrived home from Akaroa on Saturday, and appears to be in. the best of health and spirits. It is evident that the spell at Akaroa, where he acted as trainer and pacer for George Whelch, has benefited the ex-champion 1 of the world very considerably, as he looks particularly woll, and moreover declares that he feels, well: He is naturally very pleased, under the circumstances,' at 'the prospect of, again .meeting, Arnst, and is grateful to those good.sports who have so kindly offered to provide the stake money in order to give ! ;him .a chance to > retrieve-his lost laurels. In the course of a chat the writer gleaned that Webb has made arrangements with George 'Whelch to act as pacemaker'for him, whether the race is rowed here or at Akaroa. In view of the excellent form shown by Whelch last week, the Wanganui sculler has made a good move in getting his assistance as pacenrikor. Joe Green will;'also assist in his training. While in the south Webb sold his last new boat. He intends having another gew, one to row the forthcoming race in, and has already, I understand, ordered' one from C. Neilson. It appears that Webb was fairly confident that Whelch would defeat' Fogwell, as the Akaroa man was rowing so well. Fogwell and his friends never dreamt of defeat, apparently the only question being as to how much their man would win by. Fogwell rowed up to his very best form for half the distance, but Whelch was altogether too good for him, and when lie made his effort was alongside of the Australian in very short order. The fact of the matter was that Fogwell had to do his best to keep, ahead over the first mile,-at the end of which he was rowing 27 to tho minute, while Whelch, on the other hand, -was' scullirigt along with that quick stroke of his, with' something in reserve all the time. Fogwell's friends anticipated that their man would be able to hold George comfortably over the first mile and a half, but they never made a bigger, mistake,' as Fogwell had rowed himself right out before he got that far, while his opponent was going as stronglyas ever. It was a great surprise to the Australian and his party, who had put -their friends on .to the supposed 'good thing,' -with the,result that a fair amount of money changed hands,: though there was-not a great amount of wagering on the event. The win a most popular one, Whelch being highly esteemed by all Akaroa people for his sterling qualities as a sportsman and a townsman."

(bt telegraph—special correspondent.) Dunedin, April 20. Mr. E. H.. Ehodes, , M.P., one of Arnst's guarantors, left Dunedin-for the north yesterday, after seeing Sir James Mills with regard to the Union Steam Ship; Company transporting passengers to and. from Akaroa in the event of the Arnst-Webb match being decided , there. Mr. Ehodes" put certain proposals' before Sir James, which will have to be considered by the company before any definite conclusion is arrived at. ■ i