SCULLING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 86, 7 May 1909, Page 4

SCULLING.

THE WORLD'S CHAMPIONSHIP. THE AUXSI-WEBB HATCH. Writes " Victor" in the Wanganui Herald :An impression appears to prevail that 11. Arnst will lind it very difficult to get down to his best rowing weight at this season of the year, but Ido not anticipate that he will have much trouble in this connection, He was not a great deal above his rowing weight when he arrived here lust Wednesday, and during the few days he has been here he has thrown oil' all traces of the few days' illness from which he suffered, just prior to leaving Christchurcli. lie was out on the river twice last Thursday and again on Friday, putting in some solid rowing. Saturday and Sunday lie spent up country shooting, but yesterday he was alloat again with Fogwell, the pair sculling up to Sandy Hook and back in -the morning, while in the afternoon the champion indulged in some skipping exercise, it being rather too wet for rowing. Arnst says he feels very well, and in better condition now

than he expected to be. Webb is so well forward that he does not-require much work, ami consequently his task for a couple of weeks will be of the lightest description. He indulges in an occasional spin, but it will be llic end of the mouth before he settles down to serious work, All that need be said is that he is as well as his best friends could wish. A few months ago it will be remembered E. Barry, the English champion, ex-

pressed his willingness to row Arnst for the championship, and negotiations were entered into with a view to the pair meeting on the Thames. The champion was offered £l5O as expenses to go Home but requested .1:200, which did not appear to be forthcoming. Then came the challenge by Webb, which has been accepted by Arnst. The last mail brought a letter from Barry's supporters intimating that they would give Arnst the £2OO he asked for for a match on the Thames in July. However, the Englishman will now have to wait until after the Amst-Wcbb race, the winner of which is practically assured of a race .with Barry, while there is that £SOO which the Human party appear so anxious to lose to be picked up aiso. it will thus be seen that whoever wins in the match to be decided here next month will have the chance—and a very rosy one it looks—of making from £ISOO to £2OOO by taking on the trip to Canada and England. Under the circumstances it is no wonder that both Arnst and Webb are very anxious to throw no chances away in the forthcoming match since so much hinges on the result. Webb expects to hear from Chris Neilsen very shortly now that his new beat is finished. At present the ex-cham-pion has only got one boat, the one Mr. F. Faber and a few other admirers pr - sented him with prior to the last race with Arnst. ■Mr. J. C. Wray, who umpired the last championship race and who has been asked to fulfil the duties again in the forthcoining contest, contemplates taking a trip Home shortly, and it may be that he will be on his way to the Old Country at the time of the race. However, he has not yet decided upon the date of his departure. Arnst has received word from Sydney that efforts are being made to arrange a big sculling carnival to take place o? the ParramaUa in the early, spring. It is hoped that both Arnst and Webb will compete, also Geo. Whclch, and perhaps one or two other New Zealand scullers, as well as the pick of Australian oarsmen. The idea is to include doublesculling as well as single-sculling events on the programme. Arnst and Webb as a Dominion combination would take a power of beating in the double sculls, eh! The chances are that they would frighten any opposition.