AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 272, 16 November 1896, Page 2

AQUATICS.

ROWING CLUBS' TRIAL FOURS.

On Saturday afternoon a very largely at* tended "At Home" was given by the West - End Rowing Club, Ponsonby, in celebration ot tbe opening of their new boat-house at St. Mary's Bay. Over 600 guests were present, and afternoon tea was dispensed to tbe visitors in the boat-house. An excellent - promenade contort was given during (be afternoon, musical items being contribute^ by Misses Ida McMasber, Courb, Maty Knight, Clara Lorrigan, Mrs J. F. Lowry, Messrs Lowry, W.Edwards, P. H. Harris and Wilfred Manning. Miss McMaster played the pianoforte accompaniments. The Newbon Band, under Bandmaster Trussell, were present and played agreeable selections during the afternoon.

Mr T. Peacock, the patron of the Club, declared the boathouse open, and later ia tbe afternoon, after the races, he presented bis prizes (handsome binoculars) to the winning crew, and congratulated the uw ceesful oarsmen on their performance. Tha "fours" consisted of two whaloboatraces of three crews each, and four gig races, and i some of the finishes were very close. The winning crew were : W. Sands (stroke), F. Hales (3), T. Bach (2), J. S. Matthews (I), and Dawson Hanna (coxswain). The second and third prizes (presented by Messrs T. U- Wells and J. Morley Bell) were won by F. Young's and R. R. Dowden's crews respectively. Mr Murdoch McLean, Presidenb of the Club, acted as judge of the varioui races. Cheers were given for Mr Peacock ab the conclusion of the day's sport. The new building is two storeys in height), each floor being 40 feet by 47 feet, and is a very roomy building. Tbe invibabion cards for the function were printed ab tho "Graphic" Office, and wero much admired.

On Saturday afternoon there was a larga attendance ab -he trial fours of the St.' George's Rowing Club, Parnell, ab which several hundred guests and spectators were, presenb, the "Birbley" Grounds.overlooking bhe beach, being kindly thrown open for tbe occasion by Mrs Street. The Newmarket Band were presenb during tbe afbernooa and played some excellent selections under the direction of Mr W. R. Hunter. Four beats of tbe trials were rowed. Whibley'i crew beat Busby's, Buchanan's best Jems', Winks" beab McHardy's and in tin next round Whitley's beab Buchanan's, leaving Whitley's and Winks' bo row off for the trophies. The towing was of an excellent character, and the performance of some of the younger members eh-wei much promise.