THE SCULLING RACE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 6 August 1907, Page 3

THE SCULLING RACE.

LATEST CABLE NEWS (By Cable.—Press Association. —Copy right).

EXPERT COMMENT. THE BETTER MAX WON. OPINION REGARDING TIIE FOI L. Sydney, August 5. Nearly ail experienced rowers held the opinion that Webb caused the foul through pushing Towns too far into the l«y, but Towns had met a better !<;•• H on the day. The New Zealandev evidently dd not know enough the river, and it would h ive been very hard on him if In- ami lost the race oil a foul that was certainly not wilful. I "Webb simply rowed" the other fellow out.'' said Beach, '"and no one was m surpri-ed than I was." | Asked as to what he thought of Webb's rowing, the lild champion said. | "I am not a bit shook on his style, it! could be improved a lot; but the sliilT is J in him. and he i< a real top-notchev a'l the same." I Regarding the Putney incident. Bench said it was undoubtedly a foul. ''lt's a' pity It ever occurred. Foul or no foul. ' Webb rowed him out." j

The Sydney Morning Herald says: "Those w' i hail followed the race right through and had watched closely the splendid rowing of the challenger felt that foul or no foul, the better man was first past the post. As far as could be jseen it was want of experience that r ,u-ed Webb to get too closee to his rival and, as he had caught his man| and was leaving him, lie had all to loose tnd nothing to win by getting into Towns' water. It was not much detri- | ment to Towns, but it was undoubtedly i a foul under the rules." I

TIJI- Daily llelofrrViph savs: "\Vel>l>, who pave such a fine exhibition of sculling on Saturday, may lie cordially conjrrntiilated on his victory. Now that' the championship has been won by New Zealind a powerful stimulant will doubtless l>e [riven to seullin™ in thiit country, wMeh in well provided with suitable rivers, mid which, in its climate and <he physique of it- people, is well adapted to produce men excelling in this splendid sport." It is estimated that l!>.n00 people witnessed the lwi race.

There was very little wagering pud what there was was 2 to 1 on Towns. THE STAKES PAID OVER. TOWNS' HACKER NOT SATISFIED. AN OFFEI! WF.liB REJECTED. TOWNS EXPLAINS lIIS I'OSITrOX. Received Oth, 12.33 a.m. Sydney, August The stakes were paid over to Webb 10-uight. Mr C'oombes, when handing over th.' money, said the race had been contested in the best possible spirit, and that no unworthy motive prompted Webb when the mishap occurred Webb, the amateur of . yesterday, was the world's champion to-day. lie had achieved his object in two races. Mr Rush, the referee, said he was satisfied l«>th men had acted honorably. Webb might have deviated a little out of his course, but he was ipiite sure it was done unintentionally.

Mr J. X. Field, the English hacker of Towns brothers, said all knew that Rush was an honorable man, hut he be--1 lieved a mistake had ton made. Therc- | fort' he would -rivi* .Webb ilt>o out of his own ]H.tk«'t. and t'2so expenses, if he would give Towih another race in a month's time. Mr Turk. Webb's backer, said he con* •idered Mr Field's remarks an Insult to Mr 1 Applause.) If, continued Mi i it"k. ;" »m haw a man, .send him i«» Wangaiiui. . \N rbU thanked all for the kind treatment that had been accorded him. He regretted there had Ixvn any argument about the decision. With regard to Mr Field's otTer. he had come over to win the championship, and having done so, be thought he should be allowed to take it hack to New Zealand. (Applause.) If he was challenged Towns would not be kepi waiting, provided Towns' challenge wa» the first in. Town-, in refuse to the toa-t of his health, said lie would like to explain hix jHHition, n<»t that lie reckoned hi* was defeated on hi* merits. Ife did not *ay Webb took his water intentionsillv. hut from the moment he claimed the foul, he did not persevere further, ns he regarded the race as his own on the foul. He contended that Mr Rush, ;in <;uing the foul made no difference jhad u.> right to speculate 011 the ultiI mate re>uli. He frit the matter keenj ly. hut now that \\ ebb held the championship he wished him all sorts of luck.