WEBB WELCOMED.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 16 August 1907, Page 2

WEBB WELCOMED.

WAIIM RECEPTION AT WELLINGTON. Per Press Association. Wellington, August 15. William Webb was accorded a most enthusiastic reception at the Town Hall nt 0.1.1 this afternoon. Parliament lias risen Half an hour earlier than usual to enable the members to be present. A | luige crowd of people attended, and the utmost enthusiasm was displayed. The Mayor, the Hon. T. W. Hislop, extended to the champion sculler the hearty congratulations of Wellington and New Zealand generally. It was a pleasing feature that the champion was the son of an old colonist, who was highly respected at Lyttelton, where he had lived for forty years. He hoped Webb would retain the championship for many years, aiul when advancing years caused liiui to surrender the honor it would be to a New Zealander.

, The Premier, Sir Joseph Ward, expressed the great pleasure they all felt at having the champion sculler of the world iu their midst. He congratulated Webb on his win. It was to the credit of the umpire that one little i ncident which had occurred was not allowed to stand in the way of the result, while his opponent had generously acknowledged, in the spirit of a sportsman, that the best man had won. Sir Joseph agreed with Wtbb that the next contest for the championship should be rowed on the Wanganui River. He hoped Webb would long continue to hold the championship. Mr A. T. Ngata, M.H.R., congratulated Webb on behalf of the Maori race.

Mr W. H. Field, M.IT.R., also spoke. Webb was vociferously cheered when he rose to respond. He said that but for his trainer, Barnett, he probably would not have won. He alsi. praib:d the sportsmanlike way in which Mr Tuck, of Wanganui, came forward and provided the money which enabled the match to take place. After Messrs" Tuck and Barnett had ■spoken, the audience broke iruo renewed cheering, waved their hats, and saiig, "For he's a jolly good isiiow."