ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1443, 18 May 1912, Page 12

ROWING.

[Bi "MEEOUBT."] THE HOLDING UP OF ARNST. July 18 and 19—Rowing Evonts, Fifth Olympiad, at Stockholm. July' 29.—Arnst v. Barry, World's Sculling Championship, on the Thames. What Gamo is Garry Playing? Further advico as to the intentions of the English party concerning Arnst and Barry are being awaited, it is not saying too much to assert that tho next move in tho very peculiar game that is being played by Ernest Barry and his advisers is Iteing looked for, not only "down undor," but everywhere that two and three white men are gathered together, for, wherever this is tho case, then is there "sport" amongst them. And in this particular case interest has been eo worked up, that the event has taken on oven more than tho great interest that is ever associated wifii a world's championship sculling match. Looking Back At It All.The first real introduction of Barry to Australasian notice was his defeat of George Towns in the latter's third try for the "Sportsman" Cup on the Thames. Shortly after came Arnst'c meteoric flight through tho lesser stars in tho sculling firmament, then his dimming of the lustro of the planets of tho first magnitude, and his capture of (lie proud position as tho shining light of them all. At once came a desire for him to meet Barry. The laiter's objection to making tho trip to Australia was a difficulty eventually overcomo by the enterprise of the syndicate that made tho wcll-remembored match on tho Zamlxjsi poiisible. Followed Arnst's victory there, which, however (to the English idea), was not conclusive. Barry is reported not to have reproduced his true form there, owing to the strangeness of tho climatic and other conditions, and, in all, instead of quelling the interest, tho African affair actually quickened the public desire to .see tho men measure blades on the Thames —a desire that in England was stimulated by Arnst's statement that Barry had given him "the hardest race of his life." Then, on the one hand, followed "Dick's" defeat of Harry Pearce in Australia, and Barry's victories in England over Albany and Fogwell. These latter successes led to the re-opening of negotiations (after some bickering regarding terms},' led to the making of the match now under discussion—or rather to Arnst's acceptance of the terms offered by tho Barry party. Tho correction appears necessary because, apparently, the match has not yet been made —lienco tlio present deadlock. Arnst, as is known, sailed for England, and, at that time, it was pointed out in this column that, in so doing without properly securing to himself come adequate return for tho very great risk ho was running in thus risking? his hardly won title, ho was not displaying his usual business

acumen in match-making. This oontention lias been more than justified by subsequent- developments. The position now appears to be that, whereas Arnst has posted his £100 as a first deposit, tho Barry money lias not only failed to materialise, but Barry has actually declined to go on with tho match until the £500 expenses for Arnst and X2GO for himself nro forthcoming. Arnsi Docs Well to bo Angry. Natural!) the champion has resented this extremely arbitrary, unbusinesslike, and exceedingly unsportsmanlike attitude of his challenger, and, at the timo of writing, had issued an ultimatum that, unless the English deposit was in sight by tho end of this week, he would consider himself free to treat with "Eddie Burnan, the Canadian sculler,, for a match. Now, Should Not Someone Explain? The wholo position is a deplorable one, and it is one that shows Bany in an altogether different light to that in which he has been regarded hitherto.. He has, till now, been regarded as a sportsman, and therefore as a straight-goer. His pre-

sent attitude (or perhaps it is an attitude into which lie has been forced by his advisers) indicates that this impression was an erroneous one, and wo are now anxiously awaiting romo move oil his part which will tend to restore our vanishing confidence .in him. Until then it must bo said, very regretfully, that Arnst has been the victim of a decidedly shabby piece of trickery for which it will bo. very difficult to prove justification. The Impression Over it all is Ugly. An ugly impression is abroad that tho English- tactics are the result of a desire to get even with Arnst on tbo part of Barry's supporters for a dispute that arose in Africa just prior to the Zambesi match regarding his (Arnst's) expenses, _ . On that occasion "Dick" accepted ,£3OO to defray cost of transit, and on landing in Africa, drew that amount. He soon found, however, that thia was quite insufficient for tho needs of his party, and stuck out for an extra ,£IOO which, after vigorous protest on the part of Mr. Guy Nickall's (Barry's mentor) waa reluctantly paid over. llr. Niekails and the English party were far from satisfied with Arnst s

extra claim, and said bo in no measured terms on their return to England. It is now thought that perhaps tho present embroglio is a Jioiaml for tho African Oliver—a suggestion that one, seeing how entirely different tho circumstances of the two cases are, finds very incompatible with Mr. Nickalls's standing as a sculler and a gentleman. New Proposal From Sydnsy.

It is proposed in Sydney to establish a professional sculling championship of New South Wales. One of tho chief movers in the proposition is our old friend "Harry" Floyd, who suggests that the first race should bo open to all scullers in tho State, with the exception of Harry Pearce, the present champion of Australia, and that intending competitors be invited to throw in .65 or some similar amount each to form a Bwoep stake which with the now title would go to tho winner.

This would give the event a good square start and really the installation of such a title should make for the good of proj fessionnl sculling in Australia. "liigger" the Sydney "Daily Telegraph" rowing expert, puts the case very well. Ho writes:

Personally I think the idea a decidedly good one, inasmuch as it will create another step in a ladder which is at present woefully deficient of anytliing which might distinguish one class of sculler from another. All tho scullers in New South Wales, with tho exception of "Harry" Pearce, who at present stands by himself as tho Australian champion, are mixed up in one big group, and so far as any lino is concerned they might all bo as good as one another. They challenge; each other in a haphazard fashion, picking thoir men from wherever they liko. With a New South Wales championship there would be a direct step to the Australian championship, and one which would undoubtedly create many more races and a keener interest in the sport generally. It will help tn olnss the men to some extent, and would prove nn incentive to lesser lights to work their way up. Whore a fculler knows lie has no chance

with tho Australian champion, lie might have 0 good chance with tho Jsew South Wales champion, so the extra work lie would do m preparing to meet tho latter would naturally improve him, and by tho time he had held the New South Wales title for some time ho might then bo considered good enough to face tho Australian champion. The Red Tap® of England. As is known in boating circles lihe New South Wales Rowing Association has been trying hard to arrange for the Australian Olympic "eight" now en route for England to compote fit the next Henley Begattfl. The proposition enme near to failure, as the Australian Executive found itself involved in such a mass of redtapebm and formality in .in endeavour to secure the crew's entry that hope of being able to bring its desire to fruition practically abandoned^ However, by' <1 int. of hard work on 'hp part of Ihe various Siaie AgeiiM lener.ils 11111! Commonwealth dignitaries nl Hume, it has been found possible to obtain for t!i« AuatrniUuff 1 prlriloj* tlin.t upprjus

to have, been hitherto open to Belgians and Americans. So now tncre is a reasonable prospect of the "eight" getting a preliminary spin at Henley some ten days or so beforo it competes at Stockholm, urhioh will bo on either July 17, 18, or 19. How We Got the News. The neves came to Sydney by way of the following cablegram from Hobart:— HOBART, Friday, Mr. Nettlefold, secretary of tho Tasmanian Rowing Union, has received a letter from the Agent-Generai, Sir John M'Call, wSfch reference to tho difficulties in securing tho acceptance of entries ior Henley Regatta. He Bays: "I consider we have won a great victory over n very conservative body; and it has given New

South Wales the chance to compete after practically turning its representatives (the Olympic eight) down. But Mr. Gordon Inglis has just to'id me that ho has agreed now fr«- them to _ compete on tho same lines as Cecil M'Villy. I have the authority of tho chairman of the Henley Regatta 'Committee to enter M'Villy, subject to tho receipt of information about the agreement. ''I find that Bourke, of Launecston, and Roy Adams, of Melbourne, rowed as members of the Thames Eowing Club." Wanted a Definition—What is Menial Duty? It is interesting if not instructive to note the Henley definition of an amateur oarsman under which the Australians will compete. Tho much-debated "manual labour" clause is still operative, with the additional aggravation of a "menial duty" prohibition. Definition I.—No person shall be oonsidered an amateur oarsman, Soulier, or coxs\\;ain (a) who lias ever rowed or steered in any race for a stake, money, or entrance fee-; (b) who lias ever knowingly rowed or steered with or against a professional for any prize; (c) who has ever taught, pursued or assisted in the practice of athlotio exercises of any kind for profit; (d) who has ever been employed for wages, a mechanic, artisan,' or labourer, or engaged in any menial duty; (f) who is disqualified as an amateur in any other branch of sport. An amateur may not receive any contribution towards Ilia expanses in competing at the regatta except from tbo elublie represents, but it shell be opon to any bonn-fide member of such club to contribute to tho elub funds for tluo above purpose.

So, to ©oncludo, we want & definition, What is a "menial duty"P