ARNST IN AFRICA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 106, 12 August 1910, Page 7

ARNST IN AFRICA.

PARTICULARS OF THE COURSE. Writing from Livingstone (Rhodesia) by the latest mail to a Wellington resident, Mr. Harry Floyd, who is training world's champion sculler, ''Dick" Arnst, of New Zealand, for his, match against Barry, the English champion, gives further interesting details as to the doings of the Ne,w Zealanders in South Africa.

"The B.S.A. Company," says Mr. Floyd, "gave us free passes over their line, and secured for us concessions on the Cape line, besides, getting our boats carried free of cost. AH along the line instructions were given to the officials to have our boats carried along as quickas possible. When we got to Kimberley the truck was there, but our train was too heavily loaded to pick it up. Both at Buluwayo and Wanky the truck was the subject of delays,, with the result that when we reached Livingstone we lost all trace of it. The station-master here was in,a fog; he could not find it, although he had wires telling that it was on its way. We <have now learned that it has gone on to Broken Hill which is 500 miles further up the line. 'Dick' told the authorities that- owing to the delay he would claim the right to put the race off to a later date. Now we hear that the boats will be. here to-' morrow. Perhaps if 'Dick' had not said that-we might never have got the boats in time to row the race.

"Up till now (June 30) no articles, have been signed, and tiiey won't be" until Barry arrives, some time yet. 'Dick' has got his £ 300 expenses'—and put it in the 'bank. We were met down the line a bit at Victoria Falls by a few enthusiasts. There was no big display; hut we found some real good sorts. We I have found a few New Zealanders and Australians who are all ready to do what they can for us. The BjS.A. Company is building some huts for us down by the river bank. From what we can see it is a.very fair course; it is not so wide as. i expected, nor is it so straight as we were led to believe. There is an island along the course, abreast of which there is much more current than in the course proper. The race will start up in the main channel, round a bend, and finish nearly opposite the far end of the island. The banks arc not very wide, with trees and shrubs along x either side. We think it is about | 300 ft wide—all deep wafer. 'Dick had i about iy 2 stone to take off when we got hereytout the weather is warm, and as he has ibeeh out scampering over the country ; stiooting, he will soon get down ['flere we experience nice" warm days, as ' hot as in the middle of summer in New j Zealand,' and cool nights, about as cold as Sydney in the winter time. 'Dick' thinks that he will get into form veryquick here; they all £ tell us he will not need'to do as ! much' Work here as else!;where."'" "■ ! "

', In a postcripfr Floyd adds, that he has 'just heard that the 'boats have just arrived.