STANBURY V. O'CONNOR.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 489, 16 July 1890, Page 6

STANBURY V. O'CONNOR.

O’CONNOR BADLY BEATEN. PARTICULARS OF THE SECOND MATCH. On Monday, 30bh June, the second match between James Stanbury and William O'Connor took place on the Parramatta River. O'Connor’s action in preventing the payment of tho stakes in tho first race, and his complaint that in Australia he was nob receiving fair play, was promptly and fully met by Stanbury notifying tho visitor, on tho Tuesday previous that he would row him again on the following day, or when he chose. About 12,000 people viewed the race from steamers and the banks of the river.

The umpire, Mr Myers, placed the boats so that they should in tho race keep clear of Uhr’s Point, so that there should be no excuse for any foul such as O’Connor alleged in the other race. O’Connor insisted on taking the same position as ho had in the other race ; and Stanbury conceded the point though he thought he should have been allowed a toss for choice of positions. At 18 minutes past four the men got away well together, O’Connor going at 39 strokes to the minute and Stanbury at 38. After the first dozen strokes O’Connor’s boat began to show in front, and the excitement on the steamer was tremendous. Stanbury ditf not appear to be getting on well at first, and O’Connor was plainly rowing his best to establish a lead. Some of thoso on the steamer began to look on O’Connor as a winner, but tho general idea was that the Australian was waiting, and would be able to get in front when he chose. However, despite the great con(idence placed in Stanbury, there were many who began to feel uneasy as O’Connor increased his lead and rowed past Uhr’s Point a length ahead in 1 minute 55 seconds. The Canadian was then rowing 36 to the minute, and Stanbury about 30, bub it was becoming more and more evident that the latter was not letting himself out. O’Connor still rowed very well, and continually looked round, ©n the stretch across to Blaxland s he continued to improve his position, and when half-way across was a length and a-half ahead. But before the mile was reached the aspect of the race was changed with remarkable suddenness. O'Connor began to show signs of exhaustion, and was rowing with less vigour and freedom, when Stanbury spurted, and, with a few tremendous strokes, shot past the Canadian, amidst the ringing cheers of the spectators. O’Connor fell away badly, and before the mile point was reached was a length and a a half before the Australian. Stanbury’s time for the mile was six minutes thirtyone seconds, and at this point he was rowing about thirty-two to the minute, and O'Connor thirty-four. From this point Stanbury led as he liked, O’Connor being rowed out and showing very bad form. Stanbury went on increasing his lead and won by five lengths in twenty-two minutes fifty-nine seconds. He was received with ringing cheers, but O'Connor’s exhibition was badly received. O’Connor said after the race that he was not going to make excuses now,that he was beaten in a legitimate way. With regard to his future plans, the visitor stated that it was nob his intention to row any more matches in Australia, He had decided at no distant date to retire from professional sculling, as he did nob depend upon it as a means of livelihood, He would shortly be leaving thecolony for Canada, and on his way homo intended to tour through Egypt, Italy and France. He would probably revisit Australia, when he hoped to bring out a man who would be able to defeat Stanbury. The Canadian also expressed his sincerest thanks for the numerous kindnesses he had experienced at the hands of Australians since his arrival in the colonies.