NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume 7, Issue 290, 24 September 1915, Page 4

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

SCULLING.

WEBB EASILY BEATS HANNAN

WANG AN UI, This Dav

To-day at noon, W. Well and P. J. ' Hannan competed for £2OO aside and the professional sculling championship of New Zealand. The nice was rowed over the Kaiwkaiki course on the river, the scene of previous memorable sculling events. The river presented a most animated appearance, thousands of people watching the contestants, both from the river and from boats. Webb proved an easy victor. The weather was unfavourable for the race, heavy rain continuing to fall | till an hour before the start, though the river was as smooth as a mill-pond. Webb was favourite, fair odds bcinf laid. ! Both men readied the starting-point jat 12.15 booking fit. Hannan won the toss and chose the inside position from the left bank. The contestants got away on even terms, Hannan striking 44 in the first | minute, while Webb struck 40. The latter soon settled down to a long sweeping stroke. His clean work was in marked contrast to Hannan 's. Neither man had any advantage for the first two minutes, after, whicrj Webb drew away, increasing his lead to three lengths. At the mile post he was rowing 25 to Hannan >s 27. Half-a-mlie further he was a good six lengths ahead and rowing at 24. At the two mile peg Webb drew further away, rowing well within himself. Hannan was 15 seconds behind. From J this out the race was a procession, j Webb rowing comfortably and holding I his opponent easily,, finishing about 15 ' lengths to the good, in 19.15 4-5. Hannan rowed p'Juckily to the end, which he reached in 19.55