WHO IS CHAMPION ?

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 428, 14 December 1889, Page 5

WHO IS CHAMPION ?

Sydney, Dec. H. Speculation is rife here as to who is now entitled to the title of sculling champion of the world. The prevailing opinion favours Kemp, of Australia, who held the championship im-' mediately before Searle. It is understood, however, that Kemp doeß not intend to claim the Championship, but he has expressed his determination to row for the honour against anyone else who may put forward a claim to the title. Stainsbury, McLean, and Matterson have also been mentioned as probable successors to Searle, and the former is regarded as the most likely to be successful, he having made Searle go the fastest on record over the Paramatta course.

Melbouknk, Dec. 11. It has been ascertained that Searle, before his death, expressed certain wishes regarding the championship, and the man he regarded as moefc entitled to that honour, bub these have not yet been disclosed.

1 The feeling of sorrow with which the newt of Searle'a death will be received must be common to the whole English-speaking communities over the world. In aquatic and sporting circles generally, this is only what might be expected ; bufc Searfa ■was known outside these circles, for there is no one in these colonies, at ' any rate, who did nob take an interest in the champion oarsman of the world, perhaps the finest oarsman that ever lived. His fame was almost as great in America and England as in the Australian colonies, but it did not come home to people there with the same personal feeling as to colonials. He was one of ourselves, and we were proud of him as the greatest man of the age in his own particular line. He was at the same time a modest unassuming man ; and the goodnes3 of his nature is shown by the fact that he sent the greater part of his winnings home to' his parents. That Searle's career should be cut thorb just as he reached the highest point is particularly sad. He seemed to have long years of life and victory before him, and in a day we hear that he is dead. However, the consolation is left that he was never beaton, and for many years to come his name will be remembered when sculling races are discussed. The following is a short account of his life :—: — Henry Ernest Searle was born on July 14th, 1866, in Queen-street, Graf ton, Ndw South Wales. He was therefore a little over 23 years of age at the time of his death. His parents were of English bitth, and settled in the district in its early days. Grafton ia on the Clarence River, and young Searle, whose parents afterwards moved to Esk Island, about forty miles nearer the river mouth, had to row 'seven miles every day to obtain his schooling. This was a fine early training for his after career, and accounts of his grand constitution and muscular development. He says himself: "From an early age I took kindly to the sculls. Our boat contained my sisters and my younger brother. We used often to race other boats bound on the same errand, and I may add that the Searle boat generally showed the way. I always had a great ambition for rowing, and used often to say that I wished I could become a sculler. In all my boyish attempts I put in all I knew of hard work." When he was 17 his father bought him a racing skiff and in that he practised for a twelve month. Next year, November 9th, 18S4, at the age of 18, there was a local regatta at Chatsworth Island, for allcomers, in watermen's skiffs, for which he entered, and scored his first win iv a public race. This was a happy augury of future success. During the four following years, he won several skiff contests, and on January 2nd, ISBB, at the Clarence River Aquatic Carnival, in his first attempt in outriggers, he scored an unexpected win by, beating Chris. Neilson, from whom lie received 3£ lengths start, and Hearn, the champion of NewZealand, who had to concede to him 2i lengths. After this Neil Matterson took him in his care, and - has trained him ever since. On June 16th, 1888, he rowed Wulf over the Parramatta championship course, for £100 aside, and won easily. On the 13th of the following month he met Stansbury for £100 a-siJe, and after a splendid race Searle again scored a victory. In this contest Searle broke all previous records in any race over the Pavrainatta champion course, the time being 19min 53£ sec. On September 14th he completely ran away from Neilson and won another £100. His next race was against W. Hughes, to whom he conceded lOaec start, and won in a ridiculously easy manner, stopping sometimes to bail out his boat and to fix his rowlocks. Searle challenged Hanlan, offering to back himself at £500 to" £250, but the Canadian evidently knew too much of his abilities, as the offer was declined Searle's friends, feeling sure that they had a man fib to wresfc the championship from Kemp, issued a challenge, with the result that on October 27th, 1888, he won in a most hollow manner and stamped himself as the greatest wonder.- who " over sat in a wager-boat, As Beach, who assisted Kemp in hit preparations remarked, " We have been beaten by abettor man. Searle is a wonder. I never saw so fast a man in my life." His height was sfb lOin ; chest measurement, 4Hm, and 16in round the calf. His weight, when rowing, was about list 61b, but out of training he scaled 13sb 31b. , He was an eaay man totiain, as he was always thoroughly in earnest over' his races, and pub in his work honestly. He had great strength, and at the fame time was con-, sidered by competent judges one of the most finished scullers that ever rowed a race. . . His death will leave the championship open for competition, and we may soon ex.pecfc to hear of all sorts of challenges being issued for the position of champion^