SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. METHODIST CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2020, 4 March 1907, Page 3

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

METHODIST CONFERENCE.

TOWNS DEFEATS DTJRNAN

THE AUSTRALIAN WINS BY FOUR LENGTHS. SYDNEY, March 2. Towns is regarded ns a likely winner because ho is believed to bo a better man over the last mile than Diirnnn, and his equal over any part of the course . Reeoived 6.37 p.m. Maroh 2. The championship sculling match uns won by Towns, the Australian, Not since Beach met Hanlon, 20

years ago, has a championship race been decided on the Nepean River. Like the historic struggle of 18S7, the international character of the event added greatly to the interest, and like it, too, the result added laurels to the Australian scullers. Beach won a grent race from Hanlon. and Towns to-day demonstrated his right to retain the championship of the'world, after a hard fought struggle.. Notwithstanding that the weather was dull and there wore occasional showers, large crowds mado the journey by spocial trains from both city and inland towns. Towns won the toss, and chose the Penrith side of the river. Owing to the rain the start was delayed until 4.30. From a good start Towns got going at a strong paco, which quicktook him ahead of Daman, the Canadian’s stroke appearing short. By the time half a mile was raeched Towns had a length and a half advantage, and at the mile, reached in 6 mins. 19 secs., was leading by 2} lengths. The Australian rowing easily with li longer stroke, appeared to greater advantage than Durnan. Towns had increased the gap to four lengths at the mile and a half. The Canadian then began to close up a little, passing the two mile post three lengths in the rear of Towns, the time being 13 mins. 45 secs. These positions wore maintained for another half mile. Then Durnan, rowing in earnest, began to overtake the champiou. For the last half-milo there was a ding-dong go, great excitement prevailing. Durnan, however, found the task too great, tiring towards the finish. Towns passed tfte post with an advantage variously estimated at one to three lengths, in 22 mins. 27 secs. Towns, who started favorite, received an ovation.

Durnan was greatly cheered for his game struggle. The length of the course was 3 miles 320 yards. Received 5.3 p.m. March 3. SYDNEY, March 3.

No sculler could have tried harder than Durnan. He showed that he had made wonderful preparations, but succumbed to a cleverer and fas*er sculler, to an oarsman who competent judges declared to bo the best man in the world. All crack oarsmen tipped Towns when they saw the Canadian afloat, but Durnan’s fiiends stuck to him in the belief that he was going to effect a huge surprise. Ten thousand people witnessed the race ,though as a spectacle it fell far short of the great contests on the Parramatta course. There were so few boats available that no difficulty was experienced in keeping the courso clear. Durnan rowed faster strokes, but Towns’ machine-like strokes were more efficacious.

It is officially announced that Towns won by fodr lengths Towns says: “The race was as hard as I want. It was a good race till within three-quarters of a mile from home. Then I was satisfied I could win.” Durnan looked quite “pumped” at the finish. He says that it was a hard race for him, but a fair one. He declares that his racing days are finished, and that he will never row again. Received 12.30 a.m. March 4. SYDNEY, March 3. At one time, shortly after the start, Durnan led Towns by half a length, but only for a hundred yards. VISITING PREMIERS. LUNCHEON AT WESTMINSTER HALL. Received 4.34 p.m. March 3. LONDON, March 3Tlio King, on hearing of the intention of both Houses of Parliament to entertain the colonial Premiers at luncheon, offered the use of Westminster Hall, the arrangements to be similar to those made on the occasion of the banquet to the French naval officers. The King expressed the hope that the Speaker would preside at one table and Lord Loreburn at the other.

THE HAGUE CONFERENCE.

THE QUESTION OF DISARMAMENT. Received 4.53 p.m. March 3. LONDON, March 2. Sir H. Campbell Banerman, in an article, in the new Liberal newspaper Nation, formerly the Speaker, said the original conference at the Hague had been convened for the purpose of discussing the limitation of armaments. Since then the burden had been increased, while the points of disagreement among the Powers weie less acute, and the sentiment in favor of peace incomparably stronger. Emphasising Britain’s reduced expenditure, and willingnoss to go further if a similar disposition were found in other quarters, the article adds: “Her delegates will not enter the Conference empty-handed unbelievers The suggestion that their example will count for nothing because the preponderant naval position is maintained if the fleet is invulnerable carries no more a menace.

AMERICAN SHIP SUBSIDIES. ORIENT AND AUSTRALASIAN lines struck out. Received 4.44 p.m. March 3. •NEW YORK, March 2. Tho United States House of Representatives, by 134 to 100, omitted frem the Ship’ Subsidy Bill the clauses relating to fast services to the Orient They “ lso rejected a line from tho Pacific Coast to Australrsia The whole Bill was rejected by ItM to 54, but on reconsideration was adopted by 162 to 150 in an amended form.

I'ress Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday. The Mpthpdist Conference to-day elected the following laymen as stationary committees : Auckland, Messrs Shackleford .and Caughey; Wanganui, Messrs Dickson and Bassett Wellington, Messrs Prouse and Tiller- Nelson, Messrs Barn and Buttle; Canterbury, Mr Blackwell, Hon. Of. J- Smith, and Mr Salter; Otago, Messrs Rosevear and Arnold, -jyr The general returns of the circuit’ showed 329 churches, 502 stations, 142 Ministers, 63fMocal preachers, 16,201 members, 9 7f;4 iunior members, 313 Sundayschools, 21,930 scholars, 79,240 adherents The Maori adherents are 7030, Maori Ministers 9, and local preachers 52 This morning the president announced that he had received a Cheque for £IOO. The gentleman's * name is withheld. The amount is to .-be divided equally between Homo iancLForeigu Missions. best picture show seen here.” evening Post, Wellington. Little Bessie Sutton with Edison’s Pictures to-night.