HANNAN RETIRES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 579, 4 February 1929, Page 1

HANNAN RETIRES

TITLE TO DEFEATED OARSMAN

SURPRISE AT WHANGAREI

(From Our Own CorrespondentJ WHANGAREI, To-day. A surprise was sprung on the audience at the Town Hall. Whangarei, during the interval in the pictures entertainment on Saturday night by “Pat” Hannan, winner of the afternoon's race for the New Zealand Sculling Championship, declaring it was his last race, and that he had decided to hand over the title to James Mason. He congratulated the local man on the splendid race he had rowed, and believed he would be a hard man to beat, especially if he were better boated. Mason replied acknowledging the friendly and good sporting spirit of all their relations. The stakes of the race were handed over by Mr. H. W. Crawford, editor of the “Northern Advocate.” Hannan has competed for the title on seven occasions, losing to Webb in 1915, the latter subsequently retiring and the title becoming open. Hannan defeated Pogwell in 1920, Wells (twice), Hadfield and Mason, as stated. Hannan says he considers Mason the only man in New Zealand entitled to hold the premier position.

OARSMANSHIP TOLD

HANNAN SUPERIOR RACE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP (Special to THE SU&) WHANGAREI, Saturday. Superior oarsmanship gave J. R. Harman, the holder of the New Zealand professional sculling championship, his win over the challenger, J. T. G. Mason, in the title race on the Whangarei River on Saturday afternoon. Over a three-mile course, from Kioreroa Bridge to the Town Wharf, Ilannan led all the way, and won by one and a-half lengths. The scullers raced under excellent conditions. Hannan began briskly on the west side of the course. He was sculling 28 to the minute, and Mason set out at two strokes slower. Within two minutes. Hannan was about one and a-hal£ lengths ahead ahd, sculling strongly, he was ahead by four lengths at the first bend. This was the greatest lead Hannan had during the race. Mason, sculling at 23 to the minute on the short reach, was going one stroke faster than Hannan and was picking up. At the turn for home at Limeburners’ Creek, Hannan still had ars advantage of three lengths. Until the slipway was reached Hannan was sculling 26 and Mpson 25. Shortly after Hannan began to roll slightly, and Mason, sculling vigorously, crept up within two lengths of the holder. For the final sprint both men sculled 28. When Hannan crossed tlio line a winner by one and a-half lengths, it was obvious that he had not taken Mason's efforts in the sprint seriously. The time was 21min 46 4-ssec, against 21 min 40 3-ssec for the previous race. An ebb tide and a head wind for most of the distance was responsible for the slower time. Hannan, who is 44 years of age. weighed 12st, and Mason, 40, weighed 71b. heavier. Mr. A. Jack was starter and umpire, and Mr. A. W. Murdoch was judge.