ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 57, 8 March 1932, Page 13

ROWING.

PROVINCIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

HAMILTON BIGGEST WINNERS. J GOOD STANDARD OF ROWING. t j The provincial championship honours } for the season were decided under ideal t conditions lust Saturday, and for various 5 reasons the regatta will long be rememJ bered by the oarsmen of the province, as , well as the spectators. The wisdom of . holding the gala on the harbour course > alongside the Tamaki Drive had been ques- ' tioned by many; (1) fear of weather con--1 ditions; (2) lack of a gate. The first • objection was well brushed aside; the \ weather proved delightfully fine and the ' sea smootli. To an extent the second | reason did not matter so much, despite : the fact that the Rowing Association was not overloaded financially. The great ; chance of holding a rowing regatta so : close and within such easy access to the , city could not be missed. The public did not turn up in numbers' the event,deserved . —'there were so many other attractions — but the attendance was a most gratifying 1 one. The spectators clung to the railings till the finish, while hundreds watched : the racing, journeying up and down the roadway in cars. The best idea of the crowd was from the water, and the cheering supporters were good to watch. The regatta was a good one for the management to not only test the public's fancies, but also its own organisation. Jt cannot be claimed, especially when local and visiting oarsmen's views were expressed, that the working was altogether successful. In the first place the racing started late, and this' caused considerable comment. If three officials were not enough to get the crews afloat, then other members of the executive who did not seem to have any special duties allotted them should have been called upon. A result board would have been appreciated by the spectators. It would have saved the judges answering many inquiries— although these officials readily met all inquiries sought. There should not have been the argument about the course; that had already been laid off twelve months ago by the Auckland Harbour Board's officers. Why the eternal questions of the angle at the fiuishing line? Who should have known that but the judges? Most discontent arose over the starting. It was alleged by both oarsmen and spectators that in two races in particular one club got a flying start. Some of the visitors were most pronounced in their views. The advisability of using the course was fully demonstrated, but to secure a continuance and improvement in support of rowing the management must make a change in some of' its working arrangements. A pleasing feature of the regatta was the appearance of the Whangarei, Tauranga, and Hamilton crews. All clubs overcame many difficulties, and men travelled at considerable inconvenience. Hamilton has some splendid supporters, and the action of Messrs. E. G. Watkins, C. Brown, and J. Mercer in placing their cars at the club's disposal made it possible for many members to journey to town. The appearance of the champion senior four was due to this, and Auckland enthusiasts appreciated seeing the crack crew ill action. It was most unfair that the launches were permitted to travel.across the course and give the crews so much wash. Again, the launches ran level with the leading crews, and this added discomfort to the crews behind. Too many, boats were on the course, and upon such an occasion should have been kept off. Barring the incident in the heavy maiden fours, there can be no disputing the merits of any of the winners. When North Shore captured the light-weight maiden fours at Hamilton it was the surprise of the day. The crew has, however, since justified its claims by winning at Mercer and again on Saturday.* The provincial honours were thoroughly deserved. After about a third of the journey was covered Shore took the lead, and, once in front, the result was never in doubt. The crew had a fine swing, in contrast to the work of Hamilton, Waitemata, and St. George's, who finished in that order. Both Auckland and West End were too late to start, and their appearance "would have been welcomed. It was unfortunate that Merger, after the splendid showing the previous week, were unable to make the trip. OnlJ- Hamilton, and Tauranga faced the starter in the maiden double sculls. Hamilton carried too many guns all the way, ■but, nevertheless, Tauranga rowed a very . game race to go under .by two lengths. It is many a long day since six crews j appeared on the starter's line for a senior . •fours in Auckland. Up to a short time before the 'boats were afloat the claims of 1 four crews had many admirers. Then came a surprise, as welcome as it was ; sudden, to find Hamilton represented by , its champion four. Stocks fell suddenly ( and the Waikato crew went out firm . favourites. From Orakei wharf—-with I Hamilton leading, followed by West End ' and Shore —to the line the race developed into two sections, the other three crews being outpaced. Hamilton were kept moving throughout the journey, and won by two lengths. West End was the sur- , .prise, rowing a race that upset all calcula- ( tions. They had a hard go with Shore, going under for second place by half a ] length, a defeat due to the steering over | the last stretch. i

The lieavy maiden fours drew the big field of nine crews, and as a result of the start Waitemata secured a lot of argument and discussion arose. Waitemata led until displaced by West End off the gap. West End entered the last stretch with a lead, ibut Waitemata came fast approximately 100 yards from the finishing line. The collision between the crews then took .place, and a thrilling iinish was lost. It resulted in the umpire disqualifying West End. It is understood that the West Enders do not intend to let the matter rest at that.

When the handicaps for fche single sculls appeared it was regarded as a go between J. Stewart (Auckland) 4s, and 11. Smith (Waitemata) scr. Smith earned the back mark by winning the New Zealand title over a mile and a half,- and many questioned his ability to concede Stewart 4s over the mile. It was, however, realised that with such good water conditions and ■both men thorough triers, the handicapper's ideas would be thoroughly tested. Everyone was satisfied that Stewart, making full use of the start, never looked like defeat from the first stroke. Smith chased the leader throughout and got the second gun just about four seconds after Stewart. The difference in the races each had to row can easily be recognised, and the next 'handicapping will 'be interesting to watch.

There can ibe no disputing which is the best junior crew in clinker boats after Saturday's race. Auckland took the'lead from the start to steadily open a gap from St. George's, and repeat the performance put up at Mercer a week previous.

The North Shore youths again demonstrated their claims, and by three lengths recorded another win. It was the best rowing crew of the five, and their work off the stretchers was a lesson to many other crews.

The Hamilton Rowing Club is losing the services of 0. D. Molesworth, who leaves shortly to take up an appointment in Matamata. During his connections with the club he lias not only ibecn a most loyal member, but a solid, hard worker in the sport. lie has occupied various executive positions, coached crews and represented the club in various crews all over the Dominion. His record of wins makes a formidable list, and includes three New Zealand championships gained with I. W. St. Clair in the double sculls at the Bluff in 1922-23, and Picton 1923-24, 1920-27 seasons. During approximately fifteen years he has only missed one Hamilton regatta. At the last New Zealand championship regatta held at Hamilton, A. M. Hale, the well-known Marlborough authority on rowing, referred to "Moley" as he is known to all oarsmen, "as one of the ibest in the sport," and promised a full page him when lie writes his .book on New Zealand rowing.

Oarsmen throughout the Dominion will wish C. D. Molesworth every success in his new position, and may lie live long to enjoy it. The North Shore Club's trial fours next Saturday are for trophies donated by Mr. W. J. Hampton-Reynolds. One condition by the donor is that at least four crews compete. Waitemata will row trial fours on Saturday for. Mr. D. C. Hadfield's trophies.

The Mercer light-weight maiden fours which pushed North Shore so hard at the Mercer regatta will, it is reported, compete at t/lie Ngaruawahia regatta on March 19.

Several visits have recently been made to the West End clubhouse by Mr. H. Gentles, a foundation member of the club. Veteran oarsmen will remember him as a member of West End's unbeaten senior four during the seasons ISB4-90.