SCULLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 305, 21 December 1908, Page 3

SCULLING.

TOMMY BURNS WANTS A PUPIL. Received 21, 1 a.m. Sydney, December 20.. Tommy Burns expressed himself agree able to train Arnst for the prize ring.

HONORS FOR ARNST. By Telegraph.—Press Association. ClirisU-hurch, Saturday Night. Acting on tile best information available and anxious to be the lirst to do Honor to the world's champion sculler, the amateur rowing men ill this c'tv intended extending a welcome to R. Arnst this morning, and the president of tlie Christcliureh Regatta Club (Mr. F. J. Cowlashaw) had sent out invitations for the function. It appears, however, that the information on which the action was taken was not absolutely accurate, as it was ascertained to-day that Arnst had not left the North Island. The function was therefore postponed, aiid will take place either on Monday on Tuesday morning. The residents of Taitapu intend entertaining Arnst at a social gathering at 'iaitapu on Tuesday evening, when a presentation will be made to the champion.

TIIE WEBB-ARNST RACE. SOME STRAY IMPRESSIONS. (By R. J. Eames in Ilawera Star). It is Tuesday morning. Wanganui is very glad. There is only one word in Wanganui's vocabulary: That word is Webb. The town knows, of course, that there is a sculler named Arnst—but Arnst is merely an aquatic circumstance; a raw waterman to be a foil"for Webb's finish and speed and victory. There is no question about the victory. Why suggest that the sun will not rise on Wednesday? If I had been betting I would have backed Webb., Who can resist an opinion so unanimous? The professional critics ought to know, and they, as well as some experienced oarsmen (who generally know better), after weighing the pros and cons, left Arnst out. It is satisfying to' think that you saved money by refraining from backing the wrong man, but up till 4 o'clock I was haunted by the regret that I hadn't made a wager. It looked like a wicked refusal to pick up good money. There were many policemen in WaI nganui on Tuesday. One'of their duties, I understand, was to regulate the e rowds docking to the steamers to be conveyed up the river to witness the finish of the great race. They had a splendid time. The, view of the people, it seems, did not coincide with that of tlie river traffic managers respecting the scale of charges imposed, and so the officials wero left with ample opportunity to cool their heels, and the police were able to take runs up the river, I noticed one on the umpire's boat making life extremely luxurious at the end of a fragrant cigar. Wanganui people swear by their river, but they can resist travelling by it when the price is overdone.

_ Some of us went by the " follow the race " boats at <£l a head. Figured by the time of the race that works out at about a shilling a minute, but, of eousc, one lias the additional advantage of conveyance right up the river and back again, and is privileged to witness the start. Everybody on board was naturally eager to see this, and in their excitement anany stood up, blocking the view of those behind. "Sit down in front," came the impatient cry. And one of Webb's supporters meaningly added: "1 want to see the 'interesting' part of the race." The tremendous emphasis on the word "interesting" unmistakably revealed the attitude of his mind. In fancy he saw the first dip of the •oars, a short struggle, and then Arnst labouring distressfully in the wake of the Champion. Alas, for human prescience.

There are many words in the English language I simply shudder at writing. Some of them, too, are curiously expressive when propi-riv applied. One of these is Skite. That is what some persons called Arnst. It is unfortunate that we get impressions of people, favourable or unfavourable, before wesee and know them. .Such impressions are seldom wholly removed. The lirst view I got of Arnst was in a reclining attitude close to his trainer, Fogweli, and he waved his hand—very modestly, 1 thought—in response to the cheer which greeted liim from the steamers. But when he seated himself in his shell and sculled out amongst the spectators, J was struck first with his durk skin—it was as brown as a berry with exposure to the life-giving weather —and next l>y his self-confidence. It was abundantly clear that he had the best possible opinion of Richard Arnst. Presently he went to the bank and pulled across tin river—one, two, three—like a flash. II was then that one got the impression of physical power. The exhibition—- " was what somebody near nie said —was jnst what I expected of Arnst. But none eoukl deny the precision and giant energy of those strokes. Besides, the blade cleft the water like a knife, dipped just deep enough to get the required resistance, and left it after the force had been spent—dry! In this criticism perhaps the sculling experts will correct me if I am wrong. I had no opportunity to speak with Arnst, but from his manner I would not have applied to him the term used at the opening of this paragraph. In any case I could forgive him, since on Tuesday he so handsomely made good his lioast of February last, lie said then that if he had been in Tresidder's place he could have beaten Webb.

It seemed quite in accord with the fitness of tilings thai Webb should have quietly rowed up to the 'starting-point, unattended. From what 1 had ileal.l of Webb I wsi-i ready to believe that if lie liwl 1 .til born a girl lie might appropriately lave been christened Modesty. His figure was smaller than that of Anist, but splendidly knit. I had intended to carefully watch (lis sculling anethod when he was clo»g to the steamer, but instead of that 1 found myself with my eyes intently fixed on his grey hair, I forgot that Webb was still a young num. And when I looked at Arnst again I was glad I hadn't backed Webb.

The race has been sufficiently described. The ex-champioji was never jit it from th(o imoment Arast's sculls touched the water. Fogwell, who had climbed the foremost derrick of our steamer, between his shouts of encouragement to "Dick," told the world at large that "it was all over." This was before half a mile had been traversed.. At least I think it was, but I lost all sense of distance while watching the ■wonderful working ( of these human en- ■ gincs. It was bitterly disappointing in a way. Every inch that Arnst won he, kept, and the belief kept crowding in that the distance between him and his competitor was only so much because lie chose that it should be ufl 1 greater. At no stage of the race did I see Webb make any really sU'enuoueffort. Everybody was waiting, breathlessly for the spurt that never came. Oil the returning steamers there was

a deadly lack of animation. Mps were dry and eyes wore a far-away expression. The world seemed to have suddenlv lost its interest. Wcbbaniti talked irnd- looked and felt as people do in the. presence of Death. When the two suns had set there was very little hilarity in the streets. Tt was raining slightly, but I suspect that the multitude did not stay by its liresides because the roads were slightly wet. , . It, is Tuesday evening. Wnugauw is very sad.