ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 960, 29 October 1910, Page 12

ROWING.

(Bx MkrcuryJ

Last week some derogatory remarks were made in tliis column at the weather. These remarks may be considered as repeated, with interest and omphasis. In consequence of this state of things the local clubs' crows will face the starter to-day and Monday practically untrained as far as boat work is concerned, for which reason personal notes on the individual rowing will again bo desisted from. Was Arnst Really "Pumped"? There is some compensation for this in the fact that it. 'leaves space for, some matters of interest re the recent championship race on the Zambesi as seen by the Barry party. We have already heard tho Arnst side from Dr.. Thacker, and ilr. Harry Floyd. The reverse . side of the medal is now to bc s seen. It is supplied by Mr. Guy Nickalls to the London "Sportsman," and it leaves one with an entirely different impression of tho race than that gathered from the New Zealand party's accounts—or, rather, it would do so if one accepted it in toto. Tho salient features of the English version can best'be gathered from tho headlines to the article, which run thus: "A Punishing .Race.—Both Men Stop.—Rowed Out.—Arnst Struggles Over the Line."

In describing the race- in detail, Mr. Nickalls says of the deciding stage: At two and a half ' miles :ue was driving Arnst along with only, a,clear length of daylight between the boats, and it looked as if Arnst might crack at any .moment; he rcspondjd gamely, but could not get away again. At the threo-mile mark it really ■ looked as if Barry might got up and win, as Arnst was rolling and had little or no control of his boat. Barry then\made his last 'supreme effort, and. then 'stopped suddenly, "beat to the world." Arnst stopped on the identical stroke, but rallied sooner, and Barry, who had splashed • water over himself, slowly followed Arnst down to the finish, when they shook hands amidst tremendous exoitement, winner and loser alike coming.in for a tremendous ovation."

Barry's Startling Statement,

This is so absolutely different from the account of the Arnst party as to be positively startling. Further, it is corroborrated by Barry himself, in an interview on his arrived in England, as iollows:— "I never lost hope at any time, and it was. difficult to realise that 1 was-beaten. The inexperienced people thought whon they saw Arnst leading by two or three lengths that he was winning easily; but I was pushing him along all the time. About a quarter-mile froui home I realised that an effort was necessary, and I went after him. Arnst had taken my water, but had to. go out again, and .presently I saw him. He had to spurt too, and then it was a toss-up who would stop. My breath gave out, and about ,100.yards lroin the finish, although not physically tired, I ■hadito stop rowing. Arnst, who was also rowed out, managed to get across the line. Afterwards he was much done up and took some time to come round. As a matter of fact, he was feeling the effeot of the race three days later. I was all right an hour afterwards. Arnst said to me, "If you had not stopped I should have had to do so." Arnst, who has generally won his races early, was much' surprised,,■ for he,,thought that when three lengths, ahead, he' had as good as won.

:,In addition, Barry, in ■ answer to a query as-to whether he.wns in his best form, stated:—"l was not. -My'sculling in the race was equal to that I showed against Towns, but it was not up to thn standard of my sculling-at Putney a week prior to leaving. Thero were several causes for that. In the first place, there was the accident to' my ankle. That kept me out of the boat for four days, and then again for threo days;. It was much swollen, and is so now (Barry ■ lifted his foot and showed that such was the.case). I do not wish it to :be thought that this accident affected my rowing. Indeed, I did not feel it, but the 'let up' kept me short of work and condition. I do not think I was so. good again afterwards. There was also the important question of air. I found that breathing in the rarified air was extremely difficult. It prevented me from doing anything • laborious or quick for any length of time. Alter a spurt it made me feel as if the inside of iny chest was burning. One had to slop spurting owing to the breath giving out. ■ft.was very hot, and I suffered from dry thirst, and my lips split.'.' In short, whilst freely admitting that on the day Arnst was the better man, Barry evidently considers that luck was against, him,, and he stated freely that ho in/a race on the Thames ho can give.the, redoubtable "Dick" all he ■ wants, and perhaps a little' over.

Ugly Zambesi Episode.

The "Sportsman" also, under the heading, "An Unfortunate Incident," publishes, the following, which speaks for itself:—"We hear on excellent authority that the race did not pass over without an incident that caused some unpleasantness, at least to one individual. Among Arnst's followers was a person who went from New Zealand to Livingstone with the ostensible purpose of taking photographs. He was also a, sort of manager to Arnst. During the negotiations, Mr. U. Spencer Gollan received from this individual a letter in which it was suggested that 1 he, the writer, had • Arnst under his thumb, and that they could all make 'piles of money' if they could •get him to loss tlio race. The writer therofore. suggested that Mr. Gollan should help to persuade Arnst that that .was the best course. For anybody to make such a proposition to Mr. Gollan would havo been laughable had it not been. so serious. Mr. Gollan at once handed the letter over- to Mr. Nickalls, who decided to consider what action should be taken. ;110 first informed Barry, who si.id that Arnst should bo spokon.to.on fciio matter, as he had himself been approached by the same person, who said 'that it was their duty to get what they could.' Arnst, when told by Mr. Nickalls, was taken completely by surprise, and was greatly disgusted. He, howevor, took speedy justice. Proceeding to his camp, where this individual had been allowed to stay, ho broko every negative, smashed up his' camera, and pitched him out. Arnst took a copy of the, letter, which. remains in tho possession of Mr. Guy Nickalls." ,

Of a Surety this mysterious person could not have been Harry Floyd, who was Arnst's manager. Who, then, could it have been? A shrewd answer could be given to this question by those conversant with the personnel of the Arnst. camping party—that' is if tho allegation is correct. Local Items. Tho opening events in tho Star Club's racing programme will-bo commenced to-day, weather permitting, of course. Tho contests up for settlement are Senior and Junior Four and Novice Pairs.

The Wellington Club opens its racing season on Monday with the preliminary heats of the Club Pours, in fixed scat boats.