SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 384, 29 February 1908, Page 3

SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP.

The Opera House at Wanganui was packed to the door on Wednesday evening last, when the settling in connection with the race took place. After a few preliminary remarks by the Mayor of Wanganui, Mr F. Webb-Jones, who acted as stake-holder, rose to' hand over the stakes, and in doing so, said his task was a simple and pleasurable one, and he had to thank the supporters of the contestants for appointing him to the honoured position of stake-holder. His duty was pleasurable because he probably had the honour of being the first New Zealander to hold the stakes for the World’s Sculling Championship; it was. pleasurable because it was the first occasion the championship had been decided in New Zealand; more pleasurable because the race had been rowed on the Wanganui River, and still more pleasurable because the race had been won by a New Zealander and a Wanganui oarsman. According to the Championship rules he had to return the amount (£500) deposited by the subscribers to the winner’s stake (in this case Mr Tuck was the sole holder) ; £450 went to Mr Webb, and the balance of £SO to his doughty opponent, Mr Tresidder In handing Mr Webb his cheque, Mr Jones congratulated him on his win, and said he hoped it would not be the last occasion he (Mr Webb) would have the honour of receiving the winning stake at his hands. The people of Wanganui and New Zealanders generally were proud of the champion, and he hoped Mr Webb would retain the honour tor many years. When handing the cheque to Mr Tresidder, Mr Jones complimented him on the plucky race he had rowed, and the manly and sportsmanlike way he had taken his defeat. Australia had every reason to be proud of him; he was a worthy representative of the worthy oarsman who tor so many years had upheld the honour of Australia. Mr Jones then handed the cheque to Mr Tuck, remarking that Wanganui in particular and New Zealand in general were greatly indebted to Mr Tuck, for he it was who had tound the stake and enabled the championship to be rowed for and won. He questioned whether the people of Wanganui fully realised the great benefit bestowed on the town by having the race rowed in Wanganni, but the crowds in town during the past few days gave an indication of that. Wanganui and New Zealand had been brought before the outside world as a result of the Sculling Championship. In conclusion, Mr Jones announced that he had received from Mr Arnst, the next challenger, a deposit of £IOO, and that Mr Webb and Mr Arnst were to meet in the course of the next few days to complete arrangements for the match.

Mr Cecil Wray, the umpire for the race, acknowledged his appreciation of the honour that had been conferred on him in nominating him as umpire for this great race. It was a grand race, because it was the first time the world’s championship had been contested in New Zealand, and because it was won by a Wanganui man on the Wanganui River. He would like, he said, to express his appreciation of the manly and straightforward way in which both men had rowed. He knew he would have no worry with Webb, and when he became acquainted with Tressider, he very soon found that he would have no worry with him. Mr Wray then formally read the judge’s official decision, declaring William Webb the winner of the race and proclaimed him the champion sculler of the world.

In response to an imperative call from the large audience for a speech from the champion, Mr Webb, who was received with tremendous applause, briefly but appropriately thanked the Mayor for his kindly, remarks and the audience for their generous endorsement of same. He said that Australia was to be congratulated on sending aver three such genuine sportsmen as Messrs Tressider, Bain and Ford to attempt to regain the championship. Mr Webb concluded by tendering his thanks to Mr Tuck (his backer), and to the officials who had acted in connection with the race, Mr Tressider was accorded auother:tremendous reception which demonstrated how popular he had made himself during his stay here and also how thoroughly the public appreciated the plucky race he had rowed. He returned thanks to those present for the warmness of the welcome they had given him. He had come here to try to take the laurels back to Australia, and, though he hadmot proved successful he had done his best, and he was quite satisfied that he had met a better man. He would now return tq Newcastle and retire from sculling. He believed Mr Webb was likely to hold the championship for some years, be cause they had no one in Australia who had come near him at the present time. This concluded the function, which was a most enthusiastic one, Wanganui, February 27. Most of the Australian visitors to the sculling championship, including Tressider’s trainer, pacemaker, and backers, left by the midday train, and were accorded a hearty send-off. The party, together with Webb, visited Putiki pa at4he|nvitation of the natives, and were welcomed in true Maori fashion, the natives dancing hakas, and Webb and Tressider Were the recipients of several presents from tb? natives, Tressider remains here for a levy t|uys. It is probable that Fogwell will return in a few weeks’ time.