WANGANUI ALIAS WEBBANUI.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1933, 16 December 1913, Page 16

WANGANUI ALIAS WEBBANUI.

THE STORY OF A WILD TIME. At one not so very remote period of its existence the very name of Wanganui was seriously imperilled. It all came of the discovery of Mr. Wm. Tuck of the brilliancy, in the oarsmanship of one William (“Plain Bill”) Webb, a modest, retiring chap who was some chop in a wager sculling boat. His times were so good and his style so clean and easy that “Friar” Tuck was seized with a violent attack of ideas which interfered with his sleep and often made him play a wrong bias bowl on the green. Eventually he and others, fired with enthusiasm, decided to let Billy have a go, so they brought over Stanbury (ex-champion sculler of the world) to race Webb on the Wanganui. The race took place on Boxing Day, 1906, and was won after a desperate struggle by the Wanganui man — won in the gamest manner in the last half mile up to which point the Australian had been in the lead. Webb’s success got Wanganui excited. If Webb could beat the hairy-armed Jim Stanbury, why should not he have a cut at the championship of the world ? So it came to pass that Charles Towns, of Sydney, was challenged to row for the championship handed to him by his brother George, on the Parramatta. To the surprise of all Sydney this race saw Webb an easy winner and the champion sculler of the world. Wanganui lost its head. Everyone said to everybody: “Come and have a drink,” and everybody accepted. A serious proposal was made to change the name of the town to Webbanui and George Swan recited “How we Beat the Favourite” to ten thousand people and several Maoris in Cook’s Gardens. Mr. Louis Cohen said the effect was as nearly Wagnerian as could be expected so far from Beyreuth, and Mr. J. Muir just laughed. After the excitement had cooled down, an old chap named Tressider, who had been one of Australia’s best, hopped over the pond to grab back the laurels. He was troubled with the “hasbeenitis,” a common complaint, and was easily humiliated by the Webb. Then trouble came up from the south in the form of Dick Arnst, a young giant who had been coached as a sculler in Sydney. Dick challenged Webb and with the whole of the Dominion white hot with excitement succeeded in lowering Webb’s colours. What a sad Wanganui it was that night! No fun, no George Swan reciting, no Louis Cohen on music. No jimmy Muir laughs. Sad, wilted, dejected, depressed Wanganui went home and cried itself to sleep. Next day it was alleged that Webb had suffered from rheumatics in the left arm, and that it had in consequence not been a fair go. Later Webb, feeling fit and well, again challenged Arnst and the race took place on the Wanganui River course, and again Arnst won narrowly, the champion being rowed to a standstill, so much so, that he was sick at the post, whilst Webb continued sculling to his shed ten miles down the river. Since then Webb has rowed one other race, this time against the Australasian oarsman, Pearce, and again the Wanganui man went down. Mr. Tuck still thinks that Webb is one of the best oarsmen in the world at the present time, and says he never rowed better than to-day, and if the championship was held in Australia (which it is not, owing to Barry’s defeat of Arnst on the Thames) well, things might happen. Of course “Friar” Tuck should know, but ——— ! Webb’s Record. The dates of Webb’s principal races were as follow :— Webb beat Stanbury, December 26. 1906. Webb beat C. Towns, August 3, 1907. Webb beat Tressider, February 25, 1908. Webb defeated by Arnst, December 15, 1908. Webb defeated by Arnst, June 22, 1909. Webb defeated by Pearce, December 26, 1910.