ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 25, 31 January 1933, Page 11

ROWING.

HAMILTON REGATTA. INTERESTING RACING. THE WINS WELL DIVIDED. The annual rowing regatta at Hamilton on Anniversary Day proved a most successful carnival. The big programme was carried out without a hitch, and the racing completed almost on time. The entries, 64 crews, constituted a record, all the clubs of the Auckland Province (with one exception) and the Star Boating Club, Wellington, being represented. The racing throughout was very interesting, and some splendid rowing witnessed. The big fields taxed the starter, but he handled tliem well, especially in the light and heavy maiden fours, when ten crews started in each event. The ladies' race in pair-oars proved a popular item, the contestants giving a good exhibition. A broadcast of the events kept the big crowd on each bank of the river well interested. The winning donations were well distributed, seven out of the ten competing clubs sharing as follows:—Hamilton £32, Auckland £16, St. George's £12, West End £11, Tauranga £7, Waitemata £6, Mercer £2. The clubs failing to take donations were North Shore, Ngaruawahia and Star (Wellington). It is interesting to note the positions from which the winning crews started in each race:—Tauranga. No. 4, maiden doubles; Auckland, No. 2, junior fours; Hamilton, No. 6. youths' fours; Waitemata, No. 6, single sculls; West End, No. 10, heavy maiden fours; Hamilton, No. 6, senior fours; St. George's, No. 1, light maiden fours. The racing resulted;— Maiden Double Sculls, one mile.—Taurniigu 1, St. George's 2. North Shore 3. Won by throe lengths, with a canvas between second and third. Time 7.12. Tauranga led throughout. Shore headed St. George's when opposite the Cenotaph, but in a hard spurt St. George's forged ahead again, to gain second place.

Junior Fours, best and best boats, one mile and a half.—Auckland 1, Hamilton 2, West End 3. Won by one length. Time, 10.12 3-5. Auckland and West End jumped away and raced almost level for the first quarter mile. At the half mile the jiositions were Auckland, West End, Hamilton. Hamilton came hard to oust West End for second place when passing under the railway bridge. Auckland increased its lead to nearly three lengths until near the cenotaph. Hamilton then came with a great spurt, reducing the gap. amidst excitement, but Auckland held Its advantage to win by one length from Hamilton. West End were several lengths away. .. , Youths' Fours, one mile.—Hamilton (No. 1) 1, Tauranga 2, Hamilton (No. 2) 3. Won by three lengths, with one length between second and third. Time, 7.5. Tauranga got away at the start, but below the bridge Hamilton No. 1 took charge and, giving a splendid display, outclassed the other crews, to win by four lengths, with one length between second and third. 'Ihe remainder of the field were well bunched. Single Sculls Handicap, one mile.—Waitemata (It. Smith), scr, 1; St. Georges (I. C. Horton), 15s, 2; Hamilton (D. Hare), 20s, 3. Won by two lengths, with one land a half lengths between second and 1 third. Smith got to work and caught liis field early, and, sculling strongly along the Claudclands bank, had the race well In hand below the Cenotaph. Horton came I through at a great pace over the last stretch and displaced Hare. The rest of the field was well stretched out. Maiden Fours,' open weights, one mile (winner also received the Tul Cup). West End 1, Hamilton (No. 1) 2, Hamilton (No. 2) 3. Won by one and a half lengths, with half a length between second and third. Time, 7.4 2-0. Ten crews started and were sent off to a splendid start. West End soon took the lead, holding it throughout. The two Hamilton crews finished at a great pace, but the leaders maintained tlieir advantage. Seniors Fours, best and best boats, two miles.—Hamilton 1, Auckland 2, West End 3. Won bv eight lengths, with one and a half lengths between the other placed crews. Time, 13.20. Hamilton led throughout. St. George's and Auckland were about level at the quarter mile, with West End and Waitemata a shade astern. With three-quarters of a mile covered West End displaced Auckland. then followed St. George's nnd Waitemata. Auckland spurted and, going to the Claudelands bank, passed West End. From the bridge to the line Auckland improved its position, although West End tried hard to close up. St. George's and Waitemata continued to drop back, nnd finished in that order. Ladies' Pair Oar. half a mile.—Three crews from the Auckland Ladies' Rowing Club met in this race. The contest aroused a lot of interest, nnd in the last stages Misses F. Jackson and G. Waters forged ahead to win by half a length from Misses V. Brant and I. Waters, with Misses B. Steel and P. McLean a length away third. Maiden Fours, 10 stone and under, one mile.—St. George's 1, Mercer 2, West End 3. Won by two lengths with half a length between second and third. Time, 7.31 4-5. This was another spectacular , race, ten crews facing the starter. Increased Interest was lent by the appearance of the Star Boating Club's crew (Wellington). St. George's jumped away and led throughout. The fight, for second place was very exciting. . Auckland finished fourth, Hamilton fifth, while the others were tailed off.

Eight-oar Challenge Shield, two miles.— Hamilton 1, West End 2. A close race for the first three-quarters of a mile, then Hamilton forged ahead and took command. Maiden Pair Oar, one mile.—Hamilton 1, Waitemata 2, Tauranga 3. Won by three lengths, with three-quapters of a length between the other placed crews. ' Time, 8.44.