TRULY THE GREAT FALL VERY HEAVILY

NZ Truth, Issue 1201, 6 December 1928, Page 14

TRULY THE GREAT FALL VERY HEAVILY

PULLS A VER V NICE BLADE

A. R. C. Jackson Leaves To-morrow To Meet \;.'^ ' A - ;;'.-:{ Bob Pearce In Sydney

CONmST'MWEENGRMAT AMATEUR ROWERS

(Front "N.Z. Truth's" Special .Rowing Correspondent.)

From Wanganui comes thfe word that champion sculler Jackson is on holiday leave, and that he has been devoting the whole of his time to. training 1 under, the v/atchful, eye of W. W^bb, the exchampion, who has been, acting" as Jackson's pacer. Jackson leaves for Sydney this week to meet Bob Pearce,' the Olympic champion. '

QINCE knocking off ' work, . Jackson O . has improved very -much, and he promises to strip a very fit man. It is ''to be regretted that Webb cannot see his way clear to go to . Sydney with the amateur champion, as "Wiri's" advice, combined with his knowledge of the Parramatta, would be of great assistance to Jackson. ■" ; .. From what "Truth" has seen of Jackson, we are satisfied he is. the makings of a great sculler, but whether Webb has had a sufficient time with him to put the necessary polish on the big fellow is a moot point. ' j Jackson has the weight, strength and temperament to make, a real champion, but he has yet a good deal to learn. He is by no means perfect m his steering,, and oh a • tricky course such as -the .Parra- ; matta, this might mean a lot to him. . .■■■■-.. It is:.^rj?ld^SharpeV\;inteniion;,tb;-go across ; ; iwjtth , Jacksdri' and < ithfe'"' latter ■will, \theref6f.e;' -have af good coach.* - if Harry.- Floyd tiik>s:.a^. : interest m... the New Ze^lanifler arid;. puts 'him wise' as> to. : the .best' cpurseto : steer,' Jt will be . a , big - help? to Jack- " ■ son.. "■■•' ..' : : ';• ■>>• ...-■ ■ •Writing .ianent.- the chimpioh -.'. '■ sculler , A. -R.G.- Jackson, a_New. ':P;l.y mouth 6cribe/:says: "Jaqk--son was ; nurtured m 'that stronghbld " of v ttiV ■rowing; sport' — ■Marlboro v g Iv— and has the game m his blood. Who does not remember that reho wn c d champion oarsman, Arthur Jackson, the stalwart No. 3, who with Billy Girling, ex-M.P. for Wairau, the evergreen Dick Hegglun, arid Jack Morrison, so

astounded the critics by their wonderful performance at Hobart over twenty. years ago?" . . , Such is fame! The. best Jackson and his crew could' do oh that occasion (m 1910) was to row second to the Wanganui Union crew.' The' latter "were" m front early and were never, troubled to win very comfortably. If Jackson's crew did anything wonderful that day,what is to be ■' said af' the Union crew's perform- . ance? Rowing is booming 1 In Gisborne, where there are two clubs, with a membership betwen them of 150, the great- bulk of 'whom are >m training. The season was opened m brilliant sunshine, and scores of pleasure boats and. rowing boats were scattered about tho river, with gaily- colored. Canadian canoes and pleasure craft also afloat. The Avon ; (Christchurch) Club will be represented at the championship regatta by whatpromises- to "be- a good cr.ewv 'comprising ,G; and G. gtiles, V F. Thortipson; . and : G.; : Rugh'wprth. C. Stiles wilibe istrolcs, a posLtiqiivhe has held for three; seasons. ' . ' •

The Wanganui Union Club is still without a, boat for the champion four. Their practice boat hit a snug and waa smashed,, and their racing skiff was rinned when m transit from Sydney to Melbourne, The want of a boat to practise ' m will handicap the light bluos, but hopes are entertained that a new boat will como to hand shortly and give Healey and his men a chance to get ready to defend the championship at Picton. In view of the near approach of the holiday season, the regatta crewa throughout the Dominion have been taking advantage of -the favorable weather and getting m some practice. A Sydney Varsity eight is to tour New Zealand at Easter time, and there is a proposal afoot to arrange a race for ;them against an eight from the Universities of New Zealand. The annual four-oared race between crews representing Christ's College and Wanganui Collegiate School -is to be rowed on : the Wanganui River next week. Botli. crews are m solid training. It has lieen. ■ suggested that - this race be rowed m eights next season. - There is .every, probability, of the Otago champion crew of 1926-27 competing a.t the next New Zealand championship re - gatta. If the,southerners can get back their old' form . the; present champions (Wanganui Union) will have to look to their laurels. The old Kawatiri Club has taken on a new lease of life. . About 23 years ago. the Kawatiri Club had a splendid erew — the best of the time m New Zealand.