THE CHAMPION SCULLING RACE.
HEARN v. MESSENGER. The sculling race between Hearn and Messenger £lOO aside and the championship of New Zealand took place at Wellington, on the 25th of March last. The distance was three miles and a-half, on a straight course from a point beyond Ngahauranga to the Queen’s Wharf. The betting was slightly in favor of Hearn, but in some instances 2 to 1 and G to 4 was laid on him. During the morning the weather was all that could be desired, but an hour before the time appointed for starting a southerly wind sprang up, and this raised a nasty jobble. The competitors agreed to wait for a time to see if the sea would go down. This happily resulted, and at 5.30 p.m., they took their seats in their boats, the water being very calm. The start was by mutual consent. Four steamers followed the race, while the road was lined with carriages and horsemen. A beautiful start was effected, the men gripping water simultaneously. Hearn immediately assumed the lead with a stroke of 3G to the minute, Messenger 37. Every stroke Hearn increased his lead, and when three-quarters of a mile had been got over he was six lengths to the good. Hearn was pulling a pretty stroke, while Messenger at times was splashing. On reaching the two-mile post the race was an evident certainty for Hearn, as Messenger was hopelessly in the rear, and showing signs of distress. On passing the baths, a short distance from the finish,
Hearn spurted and pulled clean away from Messenger, rowing in the easiest of winners by nearly 20 lengths. The time was 24 min. 29 secs.
The wharves and shipping were thronged with spectators, and cheer after cheer rang out for Hearn, who, on leaving the boat, was carried shoulder high into the Pier Hotel, where his health was drunk in bumpers of champagne. Hearn’s win is Very popular, James Smith, who trained Hearn for this match, and also for the one with White, received congratulations from Hearn’s admirers.
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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1059, 8 April 1882, Page 2
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344THE CHAMPION SCULLING RACE. Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1059, 8 April 1882, Page 2
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