ABOUT LAYCOCK.

Patea Mail, 10 February 1881, Page 4

ABOUT LAYCOCK.

A New York sporting paper has the following :—“ When Laycock, the famous oarsmen, first went to England, the infallible riverside critics all said he did not know how to row, and sympathised with his stupidity when he made a match for 1000 dollars against a third-class Englishman who could, of course, row away from this awkward Colonial. Finding that this untutored savage had money and would back himself, Hosmer next jumped at him, and was speedily accommodated with a similar match. Thou Havvden wanted a slice of the cake and was promptly helped ; and lastly Hanlon picked out Riley as a sure thing, and made a fourth match against this industrious simpleton from far-off shores. As soon as this match-making was over, the rowing commenced. Laycock paddled away from Blackman, everybody said Blackman was stale. He leisurely finished far ahead of Hosmer, and it was found that Hosmer was over-trained. He made a laughmg stock of Riley, and Riley had not been in the country long enough ; and his fourth victim Hawden, who had been in the country quite a sufficent time, was keen enough to forfeit his match and thus save half his monej r . Then comes the regatta? and Laycock finishes an easy winner j beating Ross, and Hosmer and Smith, and Tricket , and Riley, and all the smaller fish ; and now he challenges Ross and Hanlon, and expresses his willingness to row anybody, anywhere, for any money.