SCULLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2533, 21 June 1909, Page 3

SCULLING.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP,

(Per Press Association.)

WANGANUI, June 19. Visitors are now arriving in numbers for the sculling championship on Tuesday, the interest ,in . which increases from day to day. Tho weather, which has been wet -and squally for over a week, is now beautifully fine, and the champion and cx-champion finished their hard work to-day. and will now take things easy. Both, men are in excellent condition, and a desperate struggle is expected, and certainly it should be one of the finest races ever witnessed. Though having some very severe trials, Webb lias had no recurrence of tho arm trouble which interfered with him last December. He is as well as ho ever was, and is quietly confident of turning the scales whilst the champion has. the utmost confidence in his own abilities to win. A cinematograph picture of the race is to be taken for the Tourist Depaitliient. • WANGANUI, June 20.

Though the sculling match between Arnst and Webb, an event of worldwide importance, is to take place on Tuesday, public interest is net so keen as .might be expected. This is, no doubt, t-o be accounted for by the. fact that the last meeting of those men proved a fiasco." After that race Webb, as a true sportsman, carried magnanimity to an extent which was foolish by reiterating that he had been beaten on his merits, having gone to the post in his best form. This was known by a select few to have been anything but the true condition of affairs, but Webb persisted in publicly extolling wliat was really a fiuo performance by Arnst. The consequence is that to-day many people believe that Webb has no chance of winning. The opposite opinion is held by those who have been associated with the challenger. Whilst acknowledging Arnst’s undoubted ability, they say that Webb’s real powers are not known by the outside world. Ho has now got rid of bis arm trouble and, if reports arc to bo. believed, bo recently did a trial which shows that if Arnst wins on Tuesday the race -will be a. memorable one. Arnst was out- to-day, and the manner in which he drove his boat along would lead to tho belief that if Webb beats him, the race will be memorable. Barring accidents, a great race is sure to take place.

There is every reason' to expect a largo influx of visitors. Nearly all the hotel accommodation has been secured. As the race is to be rowed at 2 p.m., visitors from north and south will be able to go and come in one day. •