BOWING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 53, 2 March 1907, Page 12

BOWING.

Saturday last might almost be regarded as "Presidents' Day," as no less than three of the clubs ia the Waitemata held trial fours for trophies presented by their respective presidents. The racing at all the clubs was excellent. This could only be expected at the close of the season, but the closeness of the finishes was undoubtedly exceptional, showing that good judgment was exercised by the selection committees. The sculling race for the world's champion between Durnan and Towns takes place on the Nepean River to-day. Mr. E. W. G. Rathbone (vice-commo-dore of the St. George's Rowing Club) has presented the club with a set of trophies to be raced for at the association's gaja. to ba held at Kohimaramara. In connection with the association's gala, to be held at Kohimaramara, a race which will be a decided novelty has been arranged. The names of the winning crews of the trials "will be drawn, and crews se]eeted to contest an extra race. Thus the winning crew may be comprised of members of four different clubs. The prize, which will be donated by the association, is a jersey for each member of the winning crew. Several of the heats for the sculling race for the Pirie Cup have been got off by the St. George's Rowing Club on Saturday last, and during the week. The following are the results:—Gillies beat Tvoonal, K. Smith beat K. Forgie, W. Flower beat Benjamin, McDonald beat Jeavons, J. J. Tims beat Durable. In addition to the fours and double sculling races at the A.R.A. Regatta, to be held on Lake Takapuna on March 23, the committee have decided to place a maiden sculling race in association clinkers on the programme. This should attract a large number of entries. Interest has Been increasing daily in the doings of George Towns and Eddie Durnan, who are racing for the world's sculling championship on the Nepean River to-day. On February 15 George and Charlie Towns were first off, and had covered half-a-mile, • when Durnan and Stanbary drew alongside.' The trainers immediately opened out, and Durnan and Towns went away, dipping about 2b to the minute. The scullers were evidently getting warmed to it, for presently the pace was increased to 30. Towns then eased off till Durnan had a lead of half a length, and then the pair set off at a terrific bat, averaging 34 to 35 strokes to the minute. The excitement at this juncture was intense, and every , eye was strained to sea if either were gaining the advantage. The craft were running well between the strokes, and apparently the scullers were all out. From the motor launch it was very difficult to see if either had gained an advantage. If such were the case, it was only very slight. For a mile the pace was maintained, when Towns steadied 1 down. Durnan eased, down to 30 for about half a mile, and finished the remainder of the distance at 28. ending up ■with a bright spurt. Charlie Towns drew up alongside the champion, and negotiated the rest of the course at a long, steady stroke. Charlie Towns had quite a novel ex- i perience on February 16. He was about! lo draw alongside the wharf to disem- j bark, when his scull caught in a cluster of weeds. This caused him to overbali ance, and in less time than it takes to ! fell he was enjoying a fresh-water swim. L,uckily in falling, Towns freed his feet from the shoes, otherwise he might have been submerged longer than he careH for. He soon righted his boat, however, and got afloat on the much, to the surprise and admiration of the spectators. Crews have now only one week in which to complete their "training for the gala events to be rowed ■at Kohimara- ! niara next Saturday. Entries close with j the secretaries of the various clubs on I Tuesday next. Club secretaries will do j well to urge all members to enter for I these events, as without doubt this occasion constitutes the chief rowing function of the year. The committee have made satisfactory arrangements for all detail work. The s.s. Albatross will leave the Devonport ferry pier at 10 a.nk, 12.15 1.15 p.m., and 2.15 p.m., returning at 5.30 p.m. The A.M.R. band has been engaged for the afternoon. It is confidently expected that 300 oarsmen will participate in the racing, and given a fine day a thoroughly enjoyable oating should result. Picnic parties will be specially catered for, and arrangements have been made for a plentiful supply of hot water. The North Shore, Auckland, West End, and Waitemata Clubs have signified their attention of rowing for medals presented by Mr A. Kohn, the well-known Queen-street jeweller. The trophies this year are particularly valuable, and competition for them, is likely to be very keen. . An amusing incident occurred at Christchursh in connection with the Champion Double When the boats came near enough to pick up the colours, it was seen that a crew in white were holding a long lead, and eventually the leaders -were found to be Pieton, who were sculling along happily several lengths in front of Akaroa. A short distance from the post one of the bow swivels went wrong, and amidst frantic yelling from excited Pieton visitors, and intense excitement generally, big Arthur Jackson, the stroke, set to work to pull the boat over the line single-handed before Akaroa got up. This he succeeded in doing, and the swivel being re-ad-justed, the crew sculled, in lively manMr, to the shore. When a few lengths distant the swivel misbehaved again, and this time the boat capsized. A few moments later it was found that Pieton had failed to get to the post in time to start, and had scullad home at the head of the field. The local rowing Association has decided to favourably recommend the application for re-instatement of Messrs. Dunlop, late of the Hauraki Rowing Club, Thames. In dealing with the respective chances of Towns, and Dnrnan, in the world's championship race to-day, "Trident" writes as follows in the "Sydney Mail": It is known now that the Canadian is a brilliant "miler/ 5 just as all the great Toronto scullers have been —Hanlon, O'Connor, Gaudaur. What he wants is to hold Ms pace out for the three miles, for you can rest assured that is just what the champion is going to do. Durnan has been in splendid health throughout the training, and he is a cherry man always. His self-reliance is unbounded, and there is never a doubt with him las to the success of his long trip. A Sydney writer says that Dick Arast •'has just about reached the stage when a man begins to realise that he knows nothing of tha art of sculling."