ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1824, 9 August 1913, Page 13

ROWING.

(By "Mercury.'! THE AUSTRALIAN TANGUEj Straightening it Out Out of the intricate maze of challenges and cross-challcng-es thero noiv appears to have axisen sometliing definite in the sculling; situation in Australia. It n-ill be romembered that last week a cable trom Sydney advised that Arnst and Hagney had arranged a match, and this week we -were advised that Paddon and Arnst had agreed to a race in November for the Australian championship. The negotiations that led up to these messages are reported as under in tho "Referee," and it will ba seen' from the accoumt of tho proceedings that the Hagney-Arnst report was premature, Arnst to, Paddon. , informal meeting took place at the iteferee" office between "Dick" Arnst (ex-champion of the world) ajid Mr. )j®J Floj-d, representing James Paddon (holder of tho Australian sculling championship). Jtr. R. Coombes presided, and there were also present Mr. Geo. Seifcrt, the well-known New Zealand supporter of 6cuiling and scullers, and F. S. Hagney. Xhe chairman stated that ho had convoned the meeting to see if it were not possible to clinch tho much-discussed proposed match between Arnst and Paddon. H<> said, that as Paddon was tho holder of the title, it was for Ajrnst to make a definite cliallenge in specific tens, accompanied by the customary deposit. Arnst then stated that ha was prepared to make a match for the Australian sculling championship and the "Ifa-fereo" Challenge Cup, the race to take place in 15 -weeks' time. He wonW lodge a deposit almost immediately, and be prepared to sign articles. In reply, Mr. Floyd said that directly all- the conditions poverning a challenge for the championship wore complied with, he would give Paddon's reply. It wa» agreed that Arnst should put up a deposit forthwith; Hagney to Arnst. P. S'. Hagney next challenged Arnst to row for ,£IOO a-side on the Parramatta River in 13 weeks' time, ar two weeks 1» fore tlra proposed Padidon-Arnst match. . Hagney stated he would almost immedi"atcly lodge a deposit to bind the challenge, and proceedings ended at that. As nothing more had been heard of the matter of a deposit by Hngney up to the time of closing this page, the contemplated taatch incident lias apparently closcd. What the "Herald" Thinks. Referring to'these matters and to the challenge from Paddon to Barry for the world's championship, which the champion has accepted informally for the 1914 linglish season, the "Sydney Morning Herald" says:— Vlf all goes well,, James Paddon will be serai competing against Barry on the Thames in about 12 months' timo. Before doing eo, however, it seems to bo the intention- of 'his backers' that he shall accept all bona-fide challenges 'from our local scullers, and if ho wins his matches ho will go; but if ho fails, ho will have to stay at home. Arnst is really his only K2l-10U3 rival, and if he challenges within the terms of the Australian championship rules he will get. a rooe. The challenger wants to row on the Parramatta, and to have the race fixed for about the end of November. Paddan does . not ivant to lose the match, and would rather give away a pod deal than have it 6aid that his conditions were blocking the way. Arnst should easily got fit in from 12 to 1-1 weeks, that is, provided h'o (joes into training'earioudy.- He never could find condition without two lonp haird rows daily, say, from 10 to 12 miles at strong work. To merely paddle is'no uso to 'Diok' Arnst now, for he is a long way from being fit. H« has a fine' rowing course close to-his residence, and a month on the Parramatta should be sufficient, for lie has not much to learn about the course."