PADDON WINS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 April 1922, Page 5

PADDON WINS.

WORLD'S SCULLING HONORS. MARGIN OF NINE LENGTHS. LED FROM THE START. Hadfield’s inferiority. By Telegraph.— Press Association. Wanganui, Last Night. The race for the world's sculling championship was held on the upper course of the Wanganui River to-day, the result being that the challenger, James Paddon, of Australia, defeatea Darcy Hadfield, the holder, of New Zealand, by nine lengths, a result which came as a surprise to the majority of the large crowd that lined the banks of the course.

The fixture proved extremely popular and drew a large number of visitors from outside Wanganui. The weather held up wonderfully well and was fine, with little wind. Right up to thq starting time of the race there was heavy traffic to the course, roads, launches and steamers all contributing a big quota to the gathering. The majority of the spectators concentrated near the finishing point, from whence tne last mile of the race could be viewed, but others followed it right from the starting point. The visitors included the Prime Minister (Mr. Massey), the Minister of Public Works (Mr. J. G. Coates), Sir John Luke, Messrs. Statham, Glenn and Veitch, M.P.’s, and Sir Joseph Ward.

THE RACE. Paddon and Hadfield were afloat up to time. The latter won the toss and chose the inside position under the left bank, but it gave no real advantage, as there was an absence of wind and conditions were ideal at the start. Both went off together at a very fast clip, Hadfield striking 36 and Paddon 33. The Australian soon got the lead. At the half-mil? both were striking 30. Paddon had a three lengths lead at the mile post, and was striking 26 to his opponent’s 28, and over the next mile Paddon maintained his lead, although on a couple of occasions Hadfield slightly closed up the gap. v Paddon had a four lengths lead when the two mile flag went by, and was rowing 24 to Hadfield’s 26. It was a procession from the very start of the race, and became more so as the distance grew’, and the crowd on the following steamers began to speculate on how many lengths the challenger would win by. Entering the last long reach for home Paddon had too much of a lead to overhaul, although Hadfield stuck to his hopeless task gamely. Paddon was still drawing away when the gun went to announce a win by nine lengths for Paddon, and the fact that the rowing crown had passed from New Zealand.

THE TIMES. The first mile was covered in smin. 40sec., two miles in llmin. 31sec., and the full distance in 19min. 15sec. Immediately on finishing Paddon appeared distressed, but although Hadfield must have also felt the strain, he gave no striking signs of it. The flotilla clustered round the two scullers and cheers were given for each. There was a scene of grear enthusiasm in the town when the scullers appeared on a hotel balcony. Sir Joseph Ward congratulated Paddon, and paid a tribute to Hadfield's fine record. He spoke of the bond of kinship and sentiment between Australia and New Zealand, which would be cemented by these contests. Paddon had a great reception on coming forward to speak. He said he was the proudest man in the world, and he returned his best thanks to the people of Wanganui for the way they had treated him. Hadfield also had a splendid reception. He congratulated Padden, and said he was beaten fairly and squarely. He had no excuses to make, although he did not think he rowed up to form. The Prime Minister also spoke, congratulating Paddon and paying a tribute to Hadfield. AN EARIA 7 CHALLENGE. HANNAN IN THE FIELD. Blenheim, Last Night. Supporters of Pat Hannan, sculling champion of New Zealand, have telegraphed Paddon challenging him for the world’s championship. The only condition is that the race should be rowed in New Zealand. A deposit has been lodged at the Express Office.