THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. Notes on the Forthcoming Beach-Hanlan Match. Dunedin, March 25.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 95, 28 March 1885, Page 3

THE SCULLING CHAMPIONSHIP. Notes on the Forthcoming Beach-Hanlan Match. Dunedin, March 25.

"Warriob," the Sydney correspondent of the " Otago Witness," writes :— " Betting ovei the Hanlan and Beach mutch during he week has been pretty brisk, the Canadian being most in demand, He is certainly *he favourite, 6 to 4 being offered, and 2 to 1 freely taken. One of Beach's supporters accepted £1,000 to £800. Now that the race is so near, we may expect to see some big wagers made. In all probability the men will start at even money. It is surprising the number of friends the Toionto man has | made since he was beaten by Beach. Should ! the day prove a fine one, I expect to see ! assembled on the Paramatta river fully j 100,000 people. On Saturday night hundreds assembled outside Debbie's Hotel discussing the merits of the two men. Here and there groups of sympathisers were laying and taking £20 to £15, £20 to £18, and level fivers. This morning I witnessed both men rove. Hanlan propelled his boat for a mile and a half much faster than he has ever done before and unless you had seen the other man pull over the champion course, you would jump to the conclusion that the race was all over, bar shouting, Beach, in company with his mentor, started from Breakfast Point just about ebb tide, a distance of nearly ICO yards separating the two scullers. Before they reached Parnell Point the champion got within 20 yard 3 of his trainer, and passed him shortly after leaving Cabarita Point. From here to the Brothers, Beach rowed a magnificent stroke, and was much admired by all the touts on the river. Last evening the coast being clear, Edwd. Hanlan ventured out for a trial spin over part of the champion course. Instead of rowing down the river, he started from Gladsville wharf and pulled up to the starting place off Charity Point. Elias Laycock led off, fully 10 lengths in advance of the exchampion. Passing Putney Point, the Shark Island rowist was only leading by a length and a half, and at Wharf Point fell back beaten. Hanlan pulled up quite fresh, while his trainer was all of a lather. I was surprised to see how easily our visitor * bottled up ' Elias. Should he continue to row in the same spirit up to the evening of the 28th, the Beach-Hanlan race will be one of the best exhibitions of rowing that has ever taken place in any part of the world. Before I witnessed Beach defeat Clifford, I accepted Edward Hanlan as my ideal of a rower, and notwithstanding the extraordinary power he possesses over his craft, I believe he will meet with an honorable defeat at the hands of the Australian representative."