ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 296, 14 December 1936, Page 13

ROWING.

WEST END CLUB. •' PATRON'S DAY AT HOME. COX'WAY WINS FOURS. Splondiil conditions prevailed on Saturday for the patron's day at home thai marked l the official opening of the West End Rowing Club's season. Despite the many counter attractions there was an attendance of supporters and friends that fully taxed all available space in the big boathouse at St. Mary's 15ay. Among tiie life members present were Messrs. A. Herbert .Tones (a foundation member), J. MacKenzie, .T. 11. Bigelow, A. Wilson, X. C. Cossey and W. 11. Conxvay. The Auckland Rowing Association and sister clubs were each represented. Afternoon tea was dispensed by Mrs. Wardell and a ladies' committee. In the absence of the patron, Mr. A. M. Paterson. through illness, the president, Mr. A. C. Norden, welcomed the visitors. "To-day," he said, "marks tlie tlfty-third birthday of the West End Club and our patron regrets that he is unable to be present, but he trusts you will all have a very enjoyable afternoon. This season opfins full of bright possibilities. The club lms an increased membership, and a largo and up-to-date plant of boats. Included in the plant are two 15. and I!, and one eight-oar boat. It is very gratifying to know that a race for eights for the first time in New Zealand will be included in the national championships to he held at Aknron, Canterbury, la February next, when West End hopes to be represented." Mr. Norden added that he was pleased to see amongst (lie guests representatives from the Mount Albert Grnmmar School, who had taken up rowing and had a crew in training at the club. During (he afternoon a set of trial fours was rowed for trophies donated by the patron. Eight crews took part in the racing over the short course from the reclamation to the boathouse. The crews of E. F. Rnper, M. D. H. Conway and J. T. Lambie met in the final. It was an even go to the half-distance, where Conway took a lend that was increased for ills crew to cross the lino a bare length ahead of Raper, with Lambie a similar distance away, third. Tile winners were : M. H. D. Conway, J!. G. Tupp, T. D. Brydon, R. Lawson, J. Knock (cox). To perpetuate the memory of the late Mrs. Mortimer Fairs, who was a staunch supporter of the ladies' committee for over 40 years, the club has introduced a trophy, lo be known as the Mrs. Mortimer Fairs Memorial Shield for Eights. On 'Saturday the first race was rowed, the two competing crews being: E. A. Craies, R. W. Allum, J. L. Jones, T. Langham, E. J. G. Hotham, W. G. Smith, R. C. Bigelow, S. Bigelow ; E. F. Raper, L. T. Lambie, B. G. Tupp, .T. G. Howe, H. Dobbie, R. Gray, I. J. Mitchell, N. Bellamy. The crews got away in splendid style and raced on even terms to tlie half-way mark. ' Swinging together nicely, liaper's crew then forged slightly ahead. It was a great go lo the wharf, where the crews drew level. On the run to the line both spurted again. Raper took the lead, but in the last few strokes Craies forged ahead and got the verdict by a canvas. PAST V. PRESENT. The annual eight-oar race between past ami present members aroused a lot of interest. The crews were:—Past: ,T. R. Skinner, V. McFarlane, G. Conway, A. Fraser, L. Culpan, F. Gintry, J. Davi'es, H. Beamish. Present: W. C. Parnell, L. T. Lambie, E. F. Raper, B. G. Tripp, T. 1,. Langham, M. Taylor, ,T. L. Jones, J. H. Barton. The crews went off to a splendid start and remained oil even terms to the quarter distance mark. "Past" then took the lend, but Hearing the wharf "Present" challenged, and off the wharf the crews were level. "Present" forgetl ahead and looked like winners, hut in the last half-dozen strokes "Past" made a great spurt and, amidst excitement. forged ahead to win by a bare lialf-canvas. During the afternoon Mr. ,T. Mackenzie, on behalf of the club, presented Mr. A. C. Norden with a life membership badge. Mr. Mackenzie referred to Mr. Norden's activities in Auckland and elsewhere in New Zealand. WAITEMATA CLUB. The annual contest for the W. G. Lane trophies attracted five crews in the W'aiteinata Boating Club's trial fours race. There was a strong . north-easterly breeze, which made conditions unfavourable on the Tamaki Drive course, and the races wore rowed in Ilobson Bay. Close finishes were not the rule, but some good racing was witnessed, the water beinig good. The starter and judge was Mr. W. Ghent. Results :— First ITeat.—The crews were: C. Cairns, I F. Weaver. ,T. Harper, J. MeCowan. O. W I Denis-on, 'J'. Bell ringer, D. Ivenrick, F. Cairns; L. Ross. A. Harper, P. Connery, C. Molloy. The crows got away to an even start, .'inil when they had settled down Denteon held the advantage. Passing the bridge, Cairns challenged, and. drawing ; away, went on to win in an excellent finish by about half a length, with Ross about two lengths behind. Second Hca.t.—V. Haywood. .T. C'hilds, .T. •Tones. A. Godfrey; R. G. Barker, W. .T. I.owe, .1. Hooper. .1. O'llanlon. Jones stroked in Haywood's crew, and after as even start went to the front. lie was leading by the bridge, and went away to win easily by three lengths. Final.—Cairns held the lead from the start, and. rowing very strongly, won by two lengths. Cairns' crew was rowing well together, and gave a good exhibition.. ST. GEORGE'S CLUB. Members of St. George's Club, despite a strong northerly wind, which made water conditions bail, rowed a subscription fours contesit along the Tamaki Drive course. There was a good muster, and five crews took part. Owing to weather conditions, seamanship played a part, and well-bal-anced crews had the advantage. Results :— First Heat.—The crews were: J. R. 11. RJss, ,T. Wriiglitson, J. Edwards. E. Spoilding; 11. Tone, T. Kirk, P. MeXah. E. Montis: J. Coote. M. McLaughlin. 11. Macgregor Ilr.y. G. Maffey. Tong and Blss got the hotter of a fair start, and took the lend in the early stages. Coote was early caught by a wave, but recovered well, and put in a good race. Tong led to the second bridge by nearly half a length, but Blss spurted, and coming round the reef went into the lead. Two hundred yards from the line the three crews sprinted hard, but Biss held his advantage, and won with something in hand. Second Heat.—W. Hogg, .T llill, C. C. Hunt. D. A. Warner; A'. Sanders, T. Morris. C. Dick. R. Miller. Hogg had about half a length's advantage in the second heat over Sanders, whose crew was finding the conditions very bad. At the reef a sea broke over them, and Sanders swamped. Hogg paddled in to finish. AUCKLAND ROWING CLUB. Owing to bad weather conditions on the Tamaki Drive course the Auckland Club in company with Waitematn. held the contest for the Clark trophies in Ilobson Bay. N\ a tor conditions were good, and crews generally gave .good exhibitions. First Heat.—The crews were: .T. Dickson, 1). Simmonds-. S. Beart, K. King; R. B. Smith. I. Faulconbridge. 11. Mulviliill, L. Sullings: J. Guiniven. 1,. Winter, G. .Touson. B. B.iverstock. The crews got away to a good start, Dickson getting slightly the better of it. The field held well together until the first bridge, when Dicki son had a slight advantage. Smith came I up at this stage, and Guiniven quickened hi.? stroke. In a strong finish Guiniven I drew away to. win by a length. Smith was rowing strongly, but could not make up the leeway, being about half a length i behind Dickson. Second Heat.—C. Marceau, 11. .Tellie, D.! Moor, W. Boon: IT. Elwood. W. Boon. V. Walker, K. Rule; G. Oxspring. C. Chamberlain, T. Gallagher,' N. Crump. Marceau and Oxspring got the better of the start, and Marceau, swinging well, drew away shortly after the start and held his advantage to the line. Elwood was a length 1 away second, and Oxspring third. Final.—Drizzling rain fell during the final. Marceau again got away well. and. rowing strongly, led all the way. He had a clear four lengths to spare at the finish, , and won easing up. { I