SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 383, 27 February 1908, Page 3

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Webb Wins by Four Lengths. William Webb was again acclaimed a champion by the enthusiastic plaudits of the cheering thousands lining the banks oi the Wanganui river on Tuesday, and New Zealand, still holds the blue ribbon of the skulling world. For weeks past the attention and keen interest of the Dominion, has been centred upon the struggle between the two scullers, while it has no doubt been the same in tbe interested parts of the Commonwealth, where the fortune and chances of Australia’s representative have been followed with equal interest, though not with equal confidence, the Australian not carrying the full confidence of his countrymen on the other side, many of whom, according to Australian scullers present at Tuesday’s match, were quite unable to see in Tressider a future world’s champion, and they just as candidly admitted that they see uo other at present, except, perhaps, a second New Zealander, Dick Arust, who is likely to wrest the championship from the Wanganuite.

THE SCENE ON THE RIVER. Barring the wet weather, which, of course,, interfered greatly with the attendance of the local public, the climatic conditions were ideal, aud at the appointed time the rain, too, had ceased. There was absolutely no wind at all, and the water wks as calm as the proverbial mill pond, not a ripple upon it. All the morning spectators their numbers lessened by the weather prospects —had been leaving by steamers, launches and boats tor the upper reaches of the river, the start taking place fully ten miles from town. The first lot of passengers left town about seven o’clock in the morning, aud their plight, with no other shelter than their umbrellas from the persistent drizzle of the morning, can be better imagined than described, especially considering they bad to wait till four o’clock in the afternoon for tbe auspicious event. The officials, press, and other follow-the-race boats left the town about 1.45 p.m., the officials in the Waione, the press and numerous visitors iu the Wai Marie, and others of the general public in the Wairore and Wakapai. It took fully an hour to stream to the starting point, but the journey upriver was full of interest. On each side of the bank there were hundreds of people watching the animated traffic upon the broad surface of the river. They were all sporting the light blue of the champion, and were loudly and insistently confident iu the prowess of the townsman to retain the coveted distinction. A little further on Webb’s residence, the gift from his admirers when he defeated Towns, was pointed out, also his boat-shed on the riverbank, just below his house., The shed was gaily decorated with blue streamers and a couple ol New Zealand flags. The further up the river the steamers proceeded the greater became the crowd, spectators being especially prominent at the finishing point, 3 % miles away from tbe starling point. Here the hills on each side of the river permitted an exceptionally good view of the finish, aud they, with other points of vantage a little higher up were literally alive with people. During the last mile the number of spectators fell away, those left being principally Maoris on horseback, and they, it may be stated, were not the least interested of the spectators.

BEEORK THE START. Shortly after half-past three the follow-the race steamers arrived at their destination, the startingpoint. The time till four o’clock, the hour appointed for the despatch of the scullers, was put in backing and filling about the river. At four o’clock all eyes were directed to the camps Webb and Tresidder had been occupying during their training operations, about half a mile below the start-ing-point, A few minuets after the hour Webb in his shell rowed slowly round the bend of the river. He was greeted as he approached the steamers with cheers, ■familiar salutations from the people on the steamers, sirens also adding to the din. Several minutes elapsed before Tresidder but in an appearance, and he rowed up to the starting-point to an accompa niment of cheers, blowing of whistles, etc. The Waimarie then steamed across to the right bank and picked up Denny Barnett, Webb’s trainer, while the Waioue on the left bank did the same for Tresidder’s mentor. The toss for choice of positions took place on the Waione and luck from the outset was with Webb. He took the inside water, near the left bank, but as the tide was slack there was little or no advantage in this.’

THE RACE. These details and one or two false starts took some time, and it was not till 4-20 p.m. that the two scullers got away, by mutual consent, and .the eventful struggle commenced. Both men took the water together,, and there appeared little or no advantage to either as their boats,gathered way. Webb was rowing in the new boat .built for him., by. C,,Neilsou, of Newcastle, and 'ihesidder was also rowing in a., boat built by the same expert'. Webb commenced with 34 stro.kes,to the minute, the fastest he had done in any of his races, Tresidder a couple of strokes more. During the second minute Webb fell to 33, his opponent going 32. Wfyen each had settled down to his work Webb was slightly in front, rowing 27, and Tresidder an equal number. Each sculler was rowing a good, strong, even

stroke, and the pace was good, the Tt u mile being covered in six minutes. We’.b was then leading by hall a nrde. The men did not appear to be exciting- themselves in the least, and yet the pace was mainlaiuec, the next half-mile being left behind in aniin 40500, making Bmin 40sec lor the mile and a half. Webb was keeping in very close to the willows fringing the ba jk, and to the spectators following upon the steamers it appeared at times as though he must strike them with his skulls. He, however, seemed to be well aware of his position, and frequently looked ahead to notice the course he was steering, a practice Tressider did not follow. Both men were rowing about a couple of lengths from each other and taking no chance of a foul. Shortly after passing tb« mile and a-balf post, Webb increased his lead to a clear length, and already his easy victory was proclaimed by those upon the following boats, which kept about 60 yards in the rear of the scullers. The cheers were taken up by the crowds along the banks till the race resolved itself into a procession between two lines of yelling people, almost frantic with delight at the apparent easy success of their champion. The twoniile post was passed in I2min 2osec, Webb a good length ahead, and rowing easily within himself. Tressider was also rowing easily,. and in taking style, but it was quite evident that though not in the least “done.” he had not the pace of the Wauganuite, and, bar accident, the race was over. The crowd was well aware of this, and their exultant expressions of satisfaction were as loudly manifested, Ladies waved their umbrellas and handkerchiefs ; men waved hats and shouted themselves hoarse, while upon the river itself the crews of the flotilla of boats, launches, etc., waved blue streamers and ran the risk of capsize cheerfully and unconcernedly by their extravagant actions. Their boats were of all sorts, from the boy’s punt, propelled by a paddle ala Moore, but fashioned from case-wood, and half full of water, to the petrol launch adorned with flags and bright with the blue colours of the champion. THE FINISH. Webb has now increased his lead to a couple of lengths, Tressider receiving the wash from his boat, while the champion’s pace had fallen to 25 to the minute. Tressider was doiug his best, but it was plainly apparent that he had no chance of beating Wei b. However, as the home stretch was reached, he spurted for a lime, but could make 110 impression on the champion, who, leaving his course, took up a position in the centre of the river, fully three or four lengths ahead of the Australian, aud as the post was reached, steered a course for the other side of the river, where he intended to land. The race during the last half-mile was no race at all as far as the leader was concerned, but merely a matter of covering the distance. Tressider on a couple of occasions, was so far in the rear of Webb that - the following steamers had to slacken their speed in order that he should not receive any of their wash, Webb, of course, drawing further ahead during the slackening down process. Webb eventually passed the post from two and a-half to three lengths ahead in aomiu 28sec. These are the official lecords, but to those following in the steamer, it appeared as though Webb won easily by five or six lengths.