ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 268, 14 November 1887, Page 5

ROWING.

A large number of spectators turned ouj. at Onehunga on Saturday to witness the opening of the boating season by the Star of the Manukau Kowing Club, but as heavy rain was falling the officers after a consultation decided to postpone the opening until Saturday week, the 26th insb.

Ponsonby v. West End.—Though the rain prevented all other sports from _ being held on Saturday, it acted quite the reverse as regards the rowing matches between the West End and Ponsonby Rowing Clubs, as ifc made the water beautifully calm and just suited for gift racing. In spite of the rain a large number of rowing enthusiasts lined every available place of shelter that gave a view of the course to bo taken by the crews of the Ponsonby and West End Clubs in their contest for trophies presented to them. The first race was for senior gigs, the prizes being four gold medals presented by Professor Carrollo. For this event Ponsonby entered two crews and West End one, and the course was from the Hobson-street wharf up the harbour for about a mile and a-quarter. Captain Parker acted as starter, and shortly after three o'clock dismissed the three crews to a fine start. West End at once assumed the lead and maintained it as far as Flat Rock, the No. 1 crew of the Ponsonby keeping close up. • When they reached this point Ponsonby's stroke, Miller, called on his men for an effort, and responding they shot ahead of the West End and keeping the pace up passed the judge easy winners by close on two lengths. Ponsonby No. 2 crew retired a short distance from the winning The second race was between maiden oarsmen under 10 stone, and Ponsonby again sent out two crews to West End's one and the prizes were subscribed for by the two club's. Ponsonby No. 2 led up to the West End R.C. shed, when the No. 1 crew picked them up while West End were close up, but on all three crews spurting here the West End collapsed and allowed the other twe to itehfc outs the finish. No.

1 crew were leading.but the stroke came off Ins slide and before he could recover his place the opposing four were ahead. But a short distance from home No. 1 crewspurted all they knew to recover the lead, but could not quite do it, being beaten after a splendid finish by about two feet. In the evening, both clubs met at a dinner in Stanford's hotel, and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. After doing justice to the good things prepared for them, the members charged their glasses, and the following toasts were drunk with great heartiness :— "The Queen," "The Auckland Rowing Association," "The Winners," "The Losers,' "The Donor, Professor Carrollo," " The Ladies," "The Press," and "The Host." Several songs were given during the evening, and speeches made, and nearly all the speakers expressed the hope that Auckland might very soon send a crew to compete in the annual intercolonial eight-oar races on Australian waters. The Chairman, Mr E. W. Burgess, presented Professor Carrollo's medals to the winning crew—Messrs D. Miller, J. Hewson, J. W. Dickson, and J. Payne—and after spending a pleasant evening, the party broke up at 11 o'clock.