ARNST CONFIDENT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10070, 18 August 1910, Page 5

ARNST CONFIDENT.

LETTER FROM DR. THACKER.

(By Telegraph—Pross Association.) CHKISTCHURCH, Last Night. A cable received in Christchurch to-day by the secretary of Arnst'a committee, stated that the champicn is in his best form, and he is feeling confident of winning. Messages sent from Zambesi Kivcr by Dr. H. T. J. Thacker, who is one of Dick Arnst's warmest supporters, have been received here. Dr. Thacker regards the course chosen for the great race to be an ideal one. The weather, since his arrival, has been brilliantly fine,: but on one or two afternoons a strong wind got up, raising a considerable jobDle on the surface of the big river. Both Arnst and Barry are well. Dr. Thacker 6ays Arnst is down to ]3st, which is 3|lbs leas than the weight at which he rowed Whelch at Abaroa on April 4th. Arnst and his supporters are very confident that the ctampion will retain the title.

Apparently this confidence is shared by others interested, for Dr. Thacker states that there has been no solid betting on the race. . Harry Floyd, Arnst's coach and trainer, who was lately reported to be down with fever, has completely recovered. ; Dr; Thacker, reports: that full arrangements have been made for the transport of visitors to the Falls and trains have been arriving daily, bringing excursionists. The championship race is to be preceded by a local regatta, commencing to-day. There have bsen no insects or other pests popularly supposed to infest the region. Dr. Thacker eays it has been necessaiy, according to private letter received from Arnst and his trainer, to clear the course of hippopotami, which are, of cjur£e,.very plentiful in the Zambesi. Dr. Thacker mentions in a message that Dick Arnst went out with the British South African Company's men and baggad one hippopotamus.