O’CONNOR’S RECEPTION AT SYDNEY.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 456, 22 March 1890, Page 5

O’CONNOR’S RECEPTION AT SYDNEY.

(FROM THE “SYDNEY MORNING HERALD.)

The most notable event to be chronicled in aquatic matters is the arrival of che American champion oarsman, William J. O’Connor. The first intimation received that O’Connor was on the way to Australia came to hand by cable from Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday, the Ist inst. The message, which asserted that O’Connor had reached Auckland by the R.M.s.. Mariposa was a general surprise, and certainly a very agreeable one, for every step towards the solution of the difficulty in regard to the world’s champion sculler muse be hailed with satisfaction. O’Connor’s visit was to be a step in this direction. Preparations for a fitting reception were at once made, and on the afternoon of Wednesday, the sth instant, a committee went out in a Government launch to meet the mailboat. Contrary to expectation, the Mariposa was not even sighted that afternoon, and the party which had been formed returned to town. The steamer, however, arrived early on the following morning, when O’Connor, who was accompanied by Mr J. A. Mulligan, of Toronto, went ashore in the orthodox fashion, a formal reception having in the meantime been arranged for 3 p.m. that day. At that hour the committee brought the champion up to Circular Quay, and he was at once driven through tho principal streets of the city. On the following day he was received at the Town Hall by the Mayor, Alderman Sydney Burdekin, M.L.A., who on behalf of the citizens welcomed O’Connor to the colony. O’Connor then stated that he had come to this country the undisputed champion of America, and that the American papers had claimed that he was entitled to the world’s championship, as being the last contestant for that honour. However, he did not want any honour or title that he could not maintain, so he had come here to meet any man who might think he was a better oarsman than himself. He was prepared to row any man in Australia, provided it was a championship race. All he asked was that the Australians should put their best man forward at the earliest possible date. O’Connor has since stated that he is prepared to make a match with either Stansbury or the winner of the forthcoming Ivemp-Matterson race. In fact, he is prepared to meet Stansbury in May or June, and, if victorious, the winner of the Kemp-Matterson match about July. He has mentioned these months simply with a view to facilitating arrangements for a meeting, but will concede any reasonable time. Yesterday morning Messrs O’Connor and Mulligan left Sydney for a week or 10 days’ stay on the Mountains. They have not yet negotiated the championship course, but are to be taken over it on their return to Sydney. Both visitors have been made honorary members of the Mercantile and East Sydney Rowing Clubs.