SCULLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2479, 19 April 1909, Page 3

SCULLING.

ARNST ACCEPTS WEBB’S CHALLENGE. [Pee Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, April 17. At a meeting of R. Arnst’s guarantors last evening it was unanimously decided that Arnst should' accept ■TVebb'rs challenge to row the world’s championship and £SOO a-skle. There was some discussion as to whore the race should be rowed, the people of Akaroa having offered very substantial inducements to the present champion to row tho rftC6 at Aicaroa, while Arnst who, as the challenged party, has the right to fix the lime and place, but no right to decline to row at the time and place fixed, naturally desired to eliminate as far as possible the chance of weather conditions, which in the open harbor might render the result of tho race more a matter of lack than sculling ability. Eventually is waft decided that an endeavor be made to have the championship race rowed in Canterbury, as Arnst is now recognised as a Canterbury representative. Air. I. Heaton Rhodes, one of Arnst’s guarantors, proceeds to Dunedin to-day to negotiate with Sir James Mills, managing director of the Union Steamship Company, in regard to the transport of spectators to and from Akaroa in the event of the race being decided there. The final decision as to the place at which the race will take place will largely depend upon the result ot these negotiation,U . T . Seen by a reporter last night, tv. Arnst stated that, feeling fit, he was anxious that the championship be rowed with as little delay as possible. He anticipated that the date to be fixed for tho race would be towards tlio- end of May and he proposed to go into active training at once. His trainers, would be Floyd, his brother (J. Arnst), and his pace-maker (Fogwcll). The race would decide whether he or Webb should fulfil engagements already entered into by him. to row Durnan in Canada in August, and Barry in England for £IOOO a-skle in the following month. . . , , , In conversation with a reporter last evening, J. Arnst. who has just returned from Dunedin after a successful attempt upon the Christehurch-Duncdui cycling record, stated that it was his intention in the near future ,to follow the example of his brother, R. Arnst, and takb up the sport nf sculling m preference to cycling. In the meantime lie intended to not, n< one of Ins brother’s trainers, in order to gam some practical experience in rowing.