WELCOME TO ARNST.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 546, 29 June 1909, Page 7

WELCOME TO ARNST.

SPEECH BV HON. T. MACKENZIE. THE CHAMPION'S INTENTIONS There was a fair)} large crowd to meet R. Arnst, champion sculler of tho «orld, upon his nrnvil tioin Vnuganui last night Ho nas accompanied by l'oguell and J Arnst. Webb, tho former champion, «as detii cd in Wanganui on account of business matters. Selections wero ployed l>y Jnpp's 13and en route to, and at, Barrett's Hotel,' where the party.are staying. ■. . . ; ': In the presonee of a crowd which completely blocked the street,' tho Hon. T. Mackenzie (Minister for Agriculture) welcomed tho champion from the balcony of the hotel. Ho said that Arnst had undoubtedly aohieved a great victory.. (Applause.) Not only had he again shown his superiority,'but he had beaten-tho provious best record by one and a half minutes. (Loud applause.) It was worthy of note that Webb, the man whom ( he hud beaten, also, broko'the provious record: It simply went to show that tho sons of Now Zealand could hold their own in every respect—(npplauso)—and if Webb had not met another New Zealaiider'ho might havo hold the- title for years. If-, possiblo Arnst would, he continued, seo that the nest race for tho championship was held in Now Zealand. (Applause.) Thoso who challenged liito should.meet him on the waters where ho ■ had achioved such fino victories. (Loud applause.) - ■■'After cheers had been lustily given for'the champion,.his pacer and trainer, Arnst addressed Jbe crowd briefly.-.-Ho thanked one [ and all for coming tp welcome him. Suoh a reception as ho was being accorded made him fed -: that lie .■ must have done: something. (Laughter.) When ho saw how the people would turn out to greet a winner he could not help thinking that it went a long way co help a man to go straight. (Applause.) Tho race had been.a hard one, not only for the loser, but for the winner. Webb rowed very gamely, and he was never more sorry for any man at the finish. (Applause.) He know Webb for "o white man, and was not surprised that the Wanganui people stuck to him. (Applause.) If it were at all possible,! he would arrange that the next race was rowed in New Zealand. (Loud applause.) • The proceedings concluded with a speech by Fogwellon behalf of himself and J. Arnst and with cheers for '■ Webb ■and for Mr. Mackenzie. " •, ' ■ ; ' Speaking to a Dominion reporter afterwards, Arnst said that .he was /going! to Christchurch to see his people in a few days. On Thursday week ho would give an cxhibb tion at Nolson against a four-oared crew if possiblo. Ho would also hold an. athletic exhibition that evening at Nelson. FogwoH and he would give a display on a "home- ■ trainer,'■'. and show how an oarsman was trained. If the entertainments were popular they would tour New Zealand and probably Australia. His object in starting them was in order that ho might keep in form in case of. a challenge; Hβ added that no definite arrangements' had yet been made for any other match.. '.. < ," . ' .' ■'■ .•