THE CHAMPI0N SCULLING MATCH Description of the Race.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 97, 11 April 1885, Page 3

TH E CHAMPION SCULLING MATCH Description of the Race.

Paivtioulabs of the great struggle betweon Hanlan and Beach for the championship of the world avo now to hand, and show oonclusively that the Australian had an easy victory. Hanlan now admits that Boach is the best sculler in the world, and he even has expressed his intention of backing Beach in his future matches. Speaking of the race, Beach said he rowed at first as hard as he could, but soon found that he had the race in hand, and was able to slacken his speed. The following interesting account of the race appears in the "Sydney Morning Herald" :- "Beach won the toss for position, and of course selected the south side. There is no doubt that winning the toss gives a man a great advantage here both in wind and water, and it would be much better if the raoe were started in the bay below Uhr's Point, where no such advantage is offered. It might be remarked that the race on Saturday was rowed with the tide running inward, and two hours old, and this of itself would be sufficient to make the time for the race rather slow. Hanlan was the first to take up his position, which he did over against the southern bank, but he had to leave this when Beach pulled over. By-and-by they both got into position, and waited for the mutual start. To see them thus side by side one must have admitted that two finer embodiments of different types of physical perfection could hardly be found : Hanlan, with his fine silky skin, faultless symmetry of limb and features, a beau ideal of dash and nerve force ; Beach, with his huge bronzed muscles, and set of resolute features, a model of bulldog tenacity, a man who would struggle on patiently to the end at all odds, who must be beaten all the way and at the finish, or he would never be beaten at all. Hanlan lays his body forward to catch the water, but Beach gives no answering sign. He is not ready, and he will not hurry. Two or three times he passes his sculls gently through the water just enough to keep his boat in position. A moment's expectation, and by a common impulse, as though knowing each other's minds, they dashed off, Boach being the first to catch the water. The pace at the start is terrific, Beach rowing 40 to the minute and Hanlan 41. Hardly have they reached Uhr's Point boforo thcro is a shout " Beach leads." but the Inflexible was very slow in getting away, and it was impossible for those in her to say. Another hundred yards or so brings both men to Rocky Point, and then it was plain to all Beach had a clear lead, and was rowing away as strong as a lion. Hanlan looked round at him, only to see that he was two clear lengths ahead, and increasing tho distance at every stroke. Then tho truth flashed on everyone on board — Beach had alroady won the race. His backers fairly danced and shouted with joy. They shook hands frantically, and cheered their favourite until they were hoarse. But 40 to the minute cannot last long, and when Beach led the way out into the centre of the stream he was rowing 38, while Hanlan who pulled fair in his wake, rowed 34. Beach's friends were now so confident that carrier pigeons wore thrown up from the boat announcing his victory. Away streamed Beach for Blaxland Point, both men easing down to 32, Hanlan appearing to pull in a somewhat laboured manner. There was not a great crowd of people at the beacon, but those who were there sent up a heai'ty cheer for the hero of tho Lakes as he passed the mile beacon exactly 6 minutes 15 seconds after the start, Hanlan's time being 6 minutes 23 seconds. Beach then made away for Putney, rowing something like f2B f 28 to the minute, but this he increased to 32. His lead there amounted to about four lengths, which he maintained with ease. In the reach approaching Putnoy both men were in slack 'water, Beach leading just as he wished. The mile and a-half was covered in 9 minutes 45 seconds by Beach. Beach eased off again, but on leaving Puinoy he increased his stroko onco moro from 28 to 30, which he maintained passing the gasworks, tho rospoctive timos taken being 1 1 minutes 30 seconds and 11 rninutos 40 seconds. Beach now struck out into the centre of the stream, the steamors which were anchored along the course blowing their whistles as a salute to him. Going down to Cabarita Point, Boach made close in to the southern bank, going very near tho steamers. A single touch and the race would have been reversed ; but Beach steered away with plenty of room to spare. At Cabarita Point, Beach was six lengths ahead, the respective times being 16 minutes 10 seconds and 1G minutes 24 seconds. Approaching Gladcsville Wharf, tho anchored steamers could be soon litorally alive with people, who gave poals of cheering for Beach as ho dashed by— time 17 minutos 30 seconds and 17 minutes 53 seconds. On the point near tho Sydney Rowing Sheds I tho people hud colloctod by thousands, and the cheors which they sont up for Boach wore so loud and so long sustained as to drown all conversation on board the steamer. The end was now close at hand. Beach passed One Man Wharf at 20 minutes 5 seconds, and Hanlan at 20 minutes 25 seconds, and then they entored the bay close to the finishing point A mighty roar of cheers and hurrahs burst from the throats of the assembled thousands as Beach came down to them leading by about 100 yards. Steamers blew their whistles, handkerchiefs and flags were waved, all helping to make up a scene that can never ue forgotten. Beach rowed quietly past the winning post ten lengths to the good when the flag was lowered by Mr Richards. Time,22 minutes 51$ seconds. Hanlan did not finish the course. He looked worn and weary as he nodded with a quiet smile to his friends on the stenmer, and then pulled away. Beach at once put on a jacket and cap, which were handed to him, and waved his hand to those on board the steamer. He was the champion sculler of the world."

We understand that at the grand banquet to be given on the 25th to Lord Ripon by the National Liberal Club the following menu (inscribed on a "Wolseley carte blanche) will be provided : Afghanistan i\ la Russe. . „ , Soudan Garrisons Stowed in their own Juice. Canards a la " Times." Minced African Allies. Wild Geese chased by the Foreign Office. Hashed British Interests. New Guinea Humble Pie. Slice-* of Turkey a la Husso. Curried Favou • with the Native Preßß. Bismarck Roas in Piokle. German Vinegar. Fren oh Mustard. Milk and Water Cabinet Pudding. Australian Whines. Laager Boer. Hollands Liqueur (for Dutch oourage). Sour Grapes. Rei Sea Apples. Natives (quite equal to the English). Cooked Telegrams and Raw Recruits. Dynamite Crackers. —"Pioneer." The New South Wales Government received no response to an invitation to supply 150,000 tons of steel vails manufactured in the colony.