HANLAN AND ELLIOTT.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1832, 6 January 1880, Page 3

HANLAN AND ELLIOTT.

The following telegram has been received by the “ Sportsman ” from the Canadian representative “Toronto, October 23. “Edward Hanlan has authorised me to inform you that he has definitely decided npt to row in England again. He, however, will allow William Elliott, of Blyth, or Robert Watson Boyd, of Middleaborough, one hundred pounds expenses if either will visit Canada and row a match with him in Toronto Bay, from £2OO to £SOO aside.” With reference to the above, the “Sportsman ” writes as follows :—“ In many respects the decision of Edward Hanlan, of Toronto, not to visit England and compete with Elliott for the championship is to be regretted. As we have frequently stated of late, Elliott claims that he has effected great improvements in his style of rowing, and he has all along expressed the utmost confidence as to being able to render a capital account of himself when next brought into antagonism with the Canadian. That his supporters share this feeling has been fully evinced by their anxiety to conclude arrangements for the match. It would have been exceedingly interesting to witness another battle royal between these men. Elliott undoubtedly possesses by far the greater share of strength, and if he has really discovered bow to utilise it to advantage, and at the same time supplement it by availing himself of all those mechanical impiovements which contributed so greatly to Hanlan’s prowess, he ought to be able to defeat the Toronto sculler with some amount of ease. We have not had the opportunity of seeing the Blyth representative in his boat since bis last match, and consequently have not had ocular demonstration of that increase of sculling power and improved speed which he claims to be able to achieve. Sljll it is scarcely likely that he and his friends would aspire to risk £2OO had they not some solid and substantial basis to go upon. Therefore we repeat that it is a pity Elliott will not have afforded him the opportunity of publicly proving the correctness of his calculations. A gain, it is to be regretted that the title of Champion of England should have to be claimed ‘on forfeit. ’ All persons will agree that it would have been much better for an English sculler to gain in fair fight a reputation for national aquatic supremacy. Yet if the holder of the enviable name declines to maintain his right to the same there exists no reason for its becoming extinct. Those who lay claim to it may rest assured that they will have_ to defend it, and for this contingency Elliott expresses himself fully prepared. He, however, does not intend to swagger round as

Champion of England before he lias given some one else an opportunity of establishing a right to that designation. His earnest desire is to meet Robert Wilson Boyd, of Middlesborough, and he asks that the possession of the Champion Cup may depend upon the contest. Now there can be little doubt that any opposition would be_ offered by the trustees had they the trophy in their possession. It is at present in Canada, though Hanlan will doubtless return it when it is claimed. As he declines to accept the challenge issued to him, such claim will be made at once. Thus, then, no difficulty will stand in the way. Elliott and Boyd are the acknowledged chief scullers in England, and it is but fitting that they should contend for supremacy. Should the winner of that contest decide to journey to America and compete with the Toronto oarsmen, we shall yet see whether British exponents of the art are unable to hold their own against the world. It is true that they have had to take a leaf from the book of their trans-Atlantic opponents. Still there is no disgrace attaching to that. Our scullers have yet to demonstrate that they can avail themselves of scientific improvements, and we doubt not that they will succeed before long. It may be contended, as has already' been the case, than Hanlan, by refusing to compete in' England, does not necessarily forfeit the title of Champion of England. Several of the highest aquatic authorities in this country, however, hold that the honourable appellation created in England and relating exclusively to this country must perforce be competed for on English rivers. We perfectly coincide with this view. We should not expect for a moment that the Championship of America could be rowed for in England. Neither can it be held that a British title may be struggled for other than in the land of its birth.”

William Elliott, in reply to Hanlan’s notification by telegraph that he ia willing to allow £IOO expenses and row Elliott on Toronto Bay, desires to say that should he be successful in his forthcoming match with Boyd, he will accept the Canadian’s terms. He could not think of journeying to America in the middle of winter, but should he beat Boyd he will at once be ready to set sail for Canada with the object of competing with Hanlan.