AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 9, 11 January 1890, Page 10 (Supplement)

AQUATICS.

Mosb of our Rowing Clubs have picked their crews for the forthcoming whaleboat races in the big regatta on the 29th inst., and the crews are hard ab work training. Waitemata as usual has a fine crew for the champion race, and will make a big bid for | it. The West End men also intend to \ make a hard struggle, and two crews are I coming from the Thames. There will also ;be one or two other outside crews, and ; with the other Auckland club crews there : should be a splendid field and a rattling ' good contest. It is to be hoped that there will be no trouble about mark boats this time, and that all the arrangements in regard to the race will be so made thab there can be no accusations of favouritism such as have been made in the past. The Association Regatta a day or two after is also attracting attention ; though the crews have nob yet been picked for it. The contests are sure to be good, for the various ciubs have had a good guide as- to their strength and need of practice from the last regatta a few weeks back. The World's Fair "Police Gazette" Regatta in America for 1692 ia nowa fixture. Large money prizes for sculling races will be given, though it is yeb too early to say whab the amounts will be. The races will comprise probably: A single-scull race, three miles with a turn, open to all oarsmen in the world. A single-scull race open only to oarsmen who have never held the championship. A pair-oared race for the championship of bhe world, opsn to all comers. International four-oared race, open to collegiate crews. International four-oared race, open to all professional crews in the world. In conversation during the week with Mr, V. Brown, the well-known rowing enthusiast of the Thames, who has done so much for the sport there, I learn that the two champion crews from that place will be very strong this year. He says one of them ; will be the strongest ever sent out of the 1 Thames, and thab is saying a good deal. The maiden and under ten stone crews also will be very strong ; and the names of those chosen certainly speak well for their prospects. One of the champion crews is having a new boat built especially /or the race by May of Shortland. I From "Town and Country."—"As the I Matterson-McLean match will not take | place till March, it is nob likely that we ! shall have a great deal of professional row- ' ing before that race is settled, unless on ! Bubear's arrival he is sought hv a match by one or two of our leading scullers. As both Mattel-son's and McLean's backers have signified their willingness to back the winner in this race against Peter Kemp for the championship, the lascnamcd .sculler v.'iii once more have an opportunity of showing whether ho is qualified to hold that proud title. -Then, again, Stansbury is not likely to remain idle, as his supporters- ought by this time to know what sort of a chance he has of being champion of the world. Brown, of the Clarence, is a man of whom many things are expected. ■ ■ • • • Matterson intends to coach Stephenson in his coming race with Hearn for the New Zealand championship, and will proceed to Maoriland to pub the final touches on him. While in New Zealand Matterson will compete in tbe outrigger race in connection with the Exhibition Regatta, and it is nofa unlikely that lie will form one of a four-oar crew bo complete at the same regatta. The other members of the crew are likely to be Aiex Cormack, Brown, of the Clarence, and Stephenson. Should this four get together ie should prove a hob lot. It is rumoured that the four who contemplated going from the Balmain Workins; Men's Club are nob likely to start." " Long Dive," in tho Christchurch "Weekly Press," says:—"l see a Swimming Association for New Zealand has been formed in Auckland. Already three clubs have joined ; it is to be hoped that all the clubs in New Zealand will do the same because all associations like these if worked properly are just the thing to fostor the arc and sport of swimming. 1 ' The North Shore Rowing Club are likely to lose the services of J. A. Logan, their best stroke, in the Jubilee Regatta, as press of business will preclude him from giving the necessary time for practice. This will spoil the Ciub's crew for the Champion Gig and Senior Whaleboat races. Mr Lushington's yacht Muritai arrived from Mahurangi lasfc week, but left again on Tuesday. Ib is not yet known whether she will compete in the large yacht race ab the Regatta. Should the large yacht race eventuate, I hear that tbe Matangi is to have a new suit of rails. The stuff has been specially imported from Englaud, and Reynolds will probably bo the maker. The Mapn journeyed as far as Ti Kouma (near Coromandel) during the holidays. She left oti New Year's Day with a doublereefed mainsail, but had very pleasant weather the rest of the trip, having a nice lead home. Mr Holland has fitted the May with a lead keel in preparation for the Regatta. He has won the large fishing boat race ab the Regatta twice in succession, and hopes this year to hoisb a brass rooster. Mr Williams, however, does not intend to let Danny have ib ail his own way, as he is providing the Christina and Laurina each with a new suit of sails, which are being made by Reynolds. The small fishing boat race promises to ha a very exciting contest. The probable competitors include: The Mignonette, Britannia, Galatea, The Brothers, Iris, one or two from the Thames, and the three new boats built by Clare, Drummond and Hewson respectively. The last named will bo launched in a few clays, and should make things lively for the Mignonette, Britannia, and Co. Drummond's new boat (for Mr Lomey) is also ready, and promises to be a hummer. Her sails, which are being made bj' Reynolds, are extra large, the head of the mainsail measuring 18 feet, and the foot 23 feet.