ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 302, 21 December 1926, Page 15

ROWING.

WEST END'S OPENING. I NOTES ON THE REGATTAS. EVENT* AT HAMILTON. Ground the s»ug liulc corner of St. Man* Bay « llolL ' ,ho WeSt End Kowin * Club's big boathouse stands, many interchapters can be written of great Sawln the club's history, and when the cord clerk continues his task he will Lmber the- official opening of last Saturday The bay I ,resemed one of the hriebtest scenes since the days when the club was at its greatest strength. The "West End Maxim" was truly in cviI dence as veteran after veteran was met i an d old happenings retold. Old photos told only too truly how the years have rolled on, but what mattered. Everybody felt fit and proud of the club they had helped'to build. What a wonderful response by all the other clubs, North Shore, Waitemata, Auckland and St. Georges. Every boat from their sheds, scullers, pairs," doubles, fours, clinker and Best and Best, eights, and the old t i m e whaleboat were afloat. The visitors were entertained to a fine racing programme that provided an interesting series of races. West Endsrs interests were in a set of fours for the much prized Thomas Peacock Memorial Shield and the trophies donated by the patron, \fr. J. A. Peacock. Good rowing was witnessed, and the racing ended in a win for the popular vice-captain O. Felton's crew, with secretary Jack Haylock's four filling second place. Country Clubs. The luck of the Hamiltonites has not changed during the last fortnight, but it is pleasing to note that the club officers in their untiring efforts will have crews in all the events for the Christmas rcatta. These crews are not considered as anything startling, but faith is pinned in the junior fours to be the best performers. Good hopes are entertained that the heavy maiden fours will be handy when the judge's gun goes. The water conditions will naturally play a big part, for if it is rough the crews will suffer as they are not so used to it as on their home waters. I. W. St. Clair will represent the club in all the sculling events, and ie again keen on measuring blades with the. Waitemata pair, A. Stevenson and D. Smith. Another bombshell has hit the club, for F. Corlett, HNo. 3 in last season's crack junior fours, will transfer to Auckland early in January. There were hopes that he would take the three seat .in..this season's senior crew, but these haVe ;: been blighted. It now seems certain that the prospects are a- washout of - the club being represented-ih the'championship fours. However, - HEDamilton's lS^;jiis. i Auckland's gain'and the club thit'gets him secures a good oar. Matters in connection with the Hamilton regatta are...progressing satisfactorily, and the recent meeting was of an enthusiastic nature. . Several matters of exceptional interest to Auckland clubs were discussed, and the chairman, Mr. W. J. Brydon. jjtyTiQ > heard the views expressed by the delegates at the annual meeting of the Auckland Rowing Association, was able pit? thro vf much, light on the subjects. Regarding the buoying of the course, tnfl view was expressed that some members, of .visiting.clubs were. of the opinion tliat an advantage was available to the crews that drew a batik course, and particularly on the western' shore, where they encountered a stretch of dead water over the last quarter of a wile. The chairman concurred in this opinion to a material extent, and was supported by a majority of those present. Mr. I. W. St. Clair, while not altogether in support of the claims that partial buoying of the course would be an improvement, was quite prepared to fall in with the wishes of the majority, and give it a trial. He thought that if buoying was to be done it should be over the full stretch. It was decided to buoy the course on 'both sides from the vicinity of the railway bridge to the finishing point, close to the traffic bridge. This will mean that the crews will be out near midstream which, from the public point of view, will considerably enhance the finishing part of a race. Messrs. I. W. St. Clair, S. Curtis, and W. Brydon were appointed a sub-committee to attend to the matter. The drawing of positions for the crews •at the start of the rowing races will be done by the Mayor or the magistrate. An endeavour will be made to improve . the train arrangements, thus making an earlier start and enable the racing to be completed earlier. The programme comprises twelve events, with a total of £110 iv donations »nd is:— Maiden Pours (£8 and £ 2); Maiden Single Sculls (£4 and £1); Maiden Fours, open (£lO and £2); Junior Fours, open (£l2 and £2); Senior Single Sculls (£8 and £2); Youths' Fours (miniature cups); Maiden, Pair Oar (£4 and £1); Senior Challenge Fours (£2O and £5 and cup); Junior Pair Oar (£5 and £1); Senior Double Sculls (£6 and £1); Maiden Double Sculls (£4 and £1); Senior Pair Oars (£6 and £1). Mr. George Morris was re-elected secretary, and Mr. H. Lane treasurer. Everything is going along merrily for the Tauranga Regatta next Tuesday, and the first trial of strength is keenly awaited. Mr. Woodall, the city representative for the Russell Regatta, has completed arrangements for the. visiting oarsmen, and all is now plain -sailing. The total expenses have been drawn up at £2 11/, and oarsmen are urged to book their passages immediately. The loss of time has been reduced to one day only. Any further information can be secured .from Mr. Woodall at the City Chambers, or phone 42,702. Warships' Whaleboats. There was an air of expectancy as the ''Navy lads" prepared to set off for the starting line, and fancies went by the ships' names instead of the individual. It was quickly apparent that system prevailed, and in smart time the crews were at the line. Lieut. R. N. Fothergill quickly lined the crews up and gave instructions. No crew attempted to crib —such a marked difference to the general run of races—but on the signal to go, every man rose to his task and struck in no uncertain manner. The few on the spot were treated to a magnificent start, a sight worth witnessing. The strenuous nature of the racing was at once seen, and several old club whaleboat oars were quick to admit it. The crews swung in to their work in great style, and although they • had had a gruelling time until coming in sight of the crowd of spectators they responded to tbe calls of encouragement, and never let up until the judge's gun fired. The

close finish showed the evenness of the crews. The stroke of the winners— Philomel. H. W. Hutton—is a member of the West End Rowing Club. The race was a splendid addition to the programme and will live long in the spectators' memories. Interhouse Race. Although HMilne and Choyce crew started favourites in the second annual interhouse race, it was never anticipated that they would secure such an easy victory. From the drop of the starter's flag they jumped away and their position was never threatened. The winners proved a strong combination, altogether out of the class of their rivals. They certainly held a distinct advantage iv having the same crew that won the cup last season, the experience of racing, and better coaching. Still they left nothing to chance, but trained steadily, and thoroughly deserved their success. In fact, the crew, as a non-class four, would take a lot of reckoning with, and further, the clubs wuold like a crew oi their merit in the forthcoming regattas. They were a line tribute to their coach, "Rubber" Fearon. John Court's crew, although it contained three new men, was somewhat disappointing. With every allowance made for the time they were together, and having an experienced stroke, the points of rowing were sacrificed to gain second place. An entirely wrong impression gets created by taking new men in their iirst race over the course in such a manner. There was a marked difference in George Court's crew's effort, and although given a big stern" chance, they endeavoured to stick to the principles of rowing. A new crew, practically not coached, their performance from a rowing point of view, was a very good one. If this crew can be held together, and the services of a good coach secured, they will play a big part in deciding possession of the cup. Clubhouse Gossip. North Shore have purchased a racing four from St. George's. All trial racing will cease until the middle of January. Meanwhile the regatta crews are hard at it. Any Shoreite now keen on taking a more active part in the club's affairs has' his chance. The committee has been increased to.ten. Balcony critics should be missing. Many old acquaintances were renewed last Saturday at West End's function. •Some of the veterans related the club's great activities when the present boathouse was built. These give the present members something to emulate. Mr. T. H. Walker, a prominent Greymouth oarsman, wae an interested visitor at West End on Saturday. A trophy that aroused a-lot of interest at West End's shed was tbjSjßßssell Cup. The club's representatives ,%on it outright with seven wins -out of thirteen contests. St. George's whaleboat \arpused a lot .of interest on Saturday,; Tiie .last races in this class of'foat wereTSt-the Anniversary Regatta in a' howling north-east gale about 1896-97 H season." Then followed the inrigged gigs, which in turn gave way to the "present day'outriggers. Veteran "Val" Dunne 6eemed quite at home in a sculler last week-end. If many crews would adopt the Navy methods at the smarting- Hne-.less would be heard about "getting left." Rumoured that Davies and Dean with a maiden oafd will form,the Shore junior crew. , . '' ■ Generally considered, that - the junior fours open at Tauranga will be fought .out between Waitemata and Hamilton. Wright's crew-cut things fine in their race on Saturday and jiist-missed getting tangled up'in a.yacht's spinnaker. There was ample room-astern to pass in complete safety. • . . The Waitemata. Boating"-Club supplied the boats to Milne and Choyce and George Court's -. crews, ■ while North Shore's.'boat was, used by John Court's.