Arrival of the Wairoa Crew.

Auckland Star, Volume XIX, Issue 23, 28 January 1888, Page 5

Arrival of the Wairoa Crew.

The.oreAV from the Northern Wairoa who are to compete in the Champion Whaleboat Race arrived by train this morning from Melensville with their new boat. They, were received at the Railway Station by Mr Savage, who.,;is .to steer them on Monday, and a number of the local oarsmen. Their boat was carefully . carried round to the Hobson-street wharf, and then launched, and the men having got ready in the new shed of the Auckland Rowing Club got in, and, steered by Savage, pulled up ~to. the, West End Rowing Club's shed which they will make their headquarters. From tho, shed they proceeded on a training g p i n down the harbour eagerly washed by a large number <*local men, who criticised them and their

boat. The latter is a very frail craft, and has evidently been built specially for the race, and if passed by the Committee, should prove the fastest boat in calm water. The critics are, however, doubtful about how she will shape in a jobble. The crew will put UP at Gleeson's Albion Hotel during their stay here.

The fishing boat Shrimp left the Thames about 6 o'clock last evening for Auckland. She comes up to take part in the fishing boat race, for which she will be a post entry. Entries for the Greasy Boom and Duck Hunt will be received on board the flagship. Considerable dissatisfaction has been expressed by the competitors in the various sailing races at there being no flying starts. No doubt starting the boats with their headsails down is the easiest for the starter, but it is neither so pretty nor always so convenient for the competitors as a flying start. We hope the starter will reconsider his decision, and at least give the yachts a flying start.