SCULLING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 3759, 9 March 1907, Page 3

SCULLING.

Sydney, March 7. In reference to the challenge by Webb, of Wanganui, to Towns to row for the world’s championship, Towns says he does not quite understand whether Webb wants him to go to New Zealand or is coming over here. Towns is sending Webb a copy of the championship articles.

The result of the Towns Durnan race was received at Wanganui, says the Herald, with much satisfaction, principally because of the fact that W. Webb will shortly be given a chance to acquire the title of the championship of the worldIt was in 1876 that Edward Trickett first brought the title to Australia after having beaten J. H. Saddler on the Thames, Four years later Hanlon beat Trickett on the Thames, and the Canadain wonder held the championship until he came out to Australia and rowed Beach on the Parramatta in 1884. It seems only a few years ago since we were reading the wondrous tales which were told as to how Hanlon played with his opponent, and the talk there was that he must have a machine in his boat, so easily did he win. However, Beach checked the Canadian’s successful career, and how proud all colonials were of his great achievement. Clifford, and latter on N. Natterson, then tackled Beach, but had no chance, whilst Hanlon again essayed the task in 1885, with the result that Beach added to his banking account. The Australian then visited England, and met and defeated Gaudaur and Wallace Ross on the Thames in championship races, besides winning other events. Returning to Australia, Beach rowed Hanlon on the Nepeanßiver. This was in 1887, and Beach once more triumphed, but havin had enough of racing, handed the title over to Peter Kemp. Beach later on again met and defeated Hanlon but had a close call as he was not fit. Kemp was tackled by Hanlon, but the latter found that Beach had left the championship in good hands, as Kemp gained the victory. Harry Searle then flashed like a meteor into the sculling world, and proved too fast for Kemp, and going Horae settled W. O’Connor’s pretension on the Thames. While the brilliant Clarence River oarsman was on his way out to Australia again James Stanbury was preparing to meet him, and enthusiasts were looking forward to see what would probably have been the most exciting and desperate race ever rowed for the title, but the melancholy circumstances which prevented this taking place are well known. Kemp again became champion, and both McLean and Natterson went down before him in 1890, but later on in the same year titleirolu himV" Ja§rStanbury was now given a chance, and he beat McLean in 1891, and likewise Sullivan and Harding, but in 1896 Gaudaur proved too good for Stanbury, and Australia lost the championship until George Towns visited Canada in igoi and won it back from Gaudaur. In 1904 Tresidder had an unsuccessful shot at Towns, but in 1905, as all will remember, Jas Stanbury emerged from his retirement and put down Towns. The latter regained the title last year, and his victory on Saturday means that it is likely to stay in Australia for some years, unless, indeed, a New Zealander proves equal to winning it. Webb’s victory over Stanbury makes him look the most likely of this colony’s scullers, but from all accounts R. Arnst is rapidly improving. In fact a good judge has given it as his opinion that within 18 months Arnst will be champion of the world. Then there is a possibility of Whelch throwing down the gauntlet to Webb, and it is quite safe to say that at least one of the three New Zealanders named will make a bold bid to bring the title to this colony within a year or so. The time recorded on Saturday for the full distance of three miles and 320 yards was not particularly fast, compared with some previous times, but it does not do to place too much reliance on times in rowing, as the Conditions of wind and tide vary so much. It was anticipated that there would be dead water on the Nepean when the race was being rowed. It is a straight course, too, and therefore there would be no cutting off of corners. When Beach beat Hanlon (Durnan’s uncle) on the Nepean, presumably over the same course, the time recorded was xgrains 55secs, and in 1884 when Hanlan defeated Laycock, the time recorded was 22mins 45secs. Towns occupied drains igsecs in covering the first mile on Saturday, but as was apparently well out in front he was not over-exerting himself. In the Stanbury-Webb match the first mile post was reached by Stanbury in 5 mins 45secs, but he cut off a deal of the distance, and besides had the tide slightly with him.