ROWING.

INTERPROVINCIAL EIGHTS.

GREAT RACE EXPECTED,

SELECTION OF DOMINION CREW.

The third annual interprovincial eightoar race for the Halliburton Johnstone Cup will be rowed on the Whau River next Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. The event is unique in the annals of Auckland rowing, marking the first occasion of the race on a local course.

Special interest is centred in the contest upon this occasion, as the four New Zealand selectors, Messrs. E. Innes, A. D. Bayfield, H. Ayres and A. M. Hale, will be present for the purpose of selecting the eight-oar crew to represent the Dominion at the Empire Games* in Hamilton, Ontario, next August. That crew will train in Auckland for three weeks and take its departure by the Aorangi on July 1, and return by the Tahiti on September 22.

The race has been made possible on Saturday by the outboard division of the New Zealand Power Boat Association acceding to the request for the Auckland Rowing Association for the use of the course on that date. This means that a treat is in store for'the spectators; the speed boat races will take place above Robertson's point and the rowing races on the lower reaches of the river.

In addition to the big race a lightweight maiden four will be rowed at 2.30 p.m. for a set of trophies valued at £10 10/, donated by Mr. John Clark. At 3.15 p.m. the Possible v. Probable eights, to assist the selectors in their task of finding the Dominion eight, will also be rowed.

The officials for the day are:—Starter, Mr. R. Pooley; umpire, Mr. C. C. Cairns; judges, Messrs. John Clark, W. G. Mason, G. H. Reston. Mr. W. Rapley has kindly placed his launch at the association's disposal for the umpire and selectors.

The Otago crew will arrive tonight, while Marlborough and Wellington arrive on Wednesday night. On Friday morning at ten o'clock a civic reception will be tendered the visiting crews by the Mayor, Mr. G. Baildon, at the Royal Hotel. At eleven o'clock the officials and crews will be taken to the Whau River ip. Mr. A. Brett's launch to inspect the course. The course will be laid off and buoyed by Captain H. H. Sergeant. The Auckland Association is making every arrangement for the visitors' comfort. The Marlborough and Otago crews will quarter at the Royal Hotel, and Wellington at the Ambassador's. On Saturday night a social evening will be tendered" the visiting crews at the Waitemata Club's boathouse, and motor trips round the city will be made on Sunday. The crews are: — Marlborough (colours, cardinal).—C. Saunders (stroke), J. Adams (<), B. Wilson (6), J. McDonald (5), M. McDonald (4), V. Glennie (3), 0. Gibbons (2), A. Gridley (1), R. Gosling (cox), A. M. Hale ' (coach). | Wellington (colours, black, yellow W on chest).—G. Cook (stroke), F. Mullions (7), F. Bell (6), P. Field (5), J. Beesley (4), C. Gimblett (3), W. Kennedy (2), H. Luke (1), G. Cairns (cox), A. White (coach). Otago (colours, royal blue). —F. Brough (stroke), J. D. Solomon (7), F. W. Eggers (6), G. B. Johnson (5), L. Fountain (4), J. C. Mitchell (3), F. J. Wilson (2), L. H. Pritchard (1), C. Crammond (cox and coach).

Auckland (colours, blue and white). — G. W. St. Clair (stroke), B. Sandos (7), W. Bayly (6), G. W. Waters (5), I. W. St. Cla'ir (4), W. Brockett (3), N. Pope (2), C. D. Moles worth (1). Reserves: J. C. Baker, J. Partridge. Coach: S. H. Buchanan.

Otago are the holders of the cup, and the crew has been in hard training for the last month, and intend returning with the trophy. Likewise the Wellington and Marlborough crews have been hard at work, while Auckland's eight is steadily down to its task on the Waikato River at Hamilton, and from the latest advice received the crew's work is pleasing the critics. A special bus service, as advertised, will run at frequent intervals from the city to Robertson's grounds that overlook the course.