AQUATICS.

Press, Volume XVII, Issue 2316, 26 September 1870, Page 2

AQUATICS.

OrENING OF THB lIOATINQ SEASON. Tho arrangements of tho committees for opening the boating season of the presont year in Canterbury were certainly niado with great care and skill, judging from the success which attended that event on the Biver Avon on Saturday. The committee, not content with relying for support upon tho boating clubs of Chrii'ichurch and its itnmoliato vicinity, had sent invitations to their aquatic brethren in Lyttelton and Kainpoi to attend and take part in the inauguration, and right hearty was the response. Tho boating clubs represented were as follows :—Canterbury Rowing Club, Union Rowing Club, Avon Rowing Club, Heathcote Rowing Club, Lvttelton Rowing Club, Kaiapoi Rowing Club, —the representatives numbering in all upwards of 100 oarsmen. So perfect had been the arrangements that there was no delay. Not a hitch occurred during the whole of the proceedings save the upsetting of one boat, the occupants of which, after " walking the waters like things of life," were soon in their former seats, apparently none tho worse for their temporary immersion. The weather was, on tho whole, favorable. The sun shone out brilliantly, but a bitter easterly wind which cut almost to the bone rendered the day anything but agreeable for those who had come to be spectators of tho festival. Notwithstanding this, large crowds of spectators lined not only both banks of the river, but also gathered on Stanmore bridge. Each of the boathouses sported the colors of their respective clubs ; the white ensign was hoisted at Ward's brewery, which is directly opposite the starting place. Flags were also displayed at various points along the banks of the river. A small battery of cannon, nine-pounders, which had been kindly lent for the occasion by Mr Hesketh, of the Railway department, who himself superintended tho firing, had been placed in position on tho right hand of the river, surmounted by the Union Jack. Half-past two o'clock was the hour announced for commencing the proceedings —but long beforeothat time the preparations were in active progress, and Boon the Bcene became most animated. As previously stated the banks were crowded with spectators, amongst whom were many ladies, but now the river itself was dotted not only with the boats of those who were to take part in tho procession, but also with numerous private boats. The boats belonging to each club flow their distinguishing burgees at the bow, and marshal's boat the Clutha —was conspicuous from the blue ensign floating from its stern. The crews wore the uniforms of their several Clubs, and as tho boats skimmed the surface of tho water preparatory to taking up their position, the whole formed a scono worthy the pencil of an artist. In the immediate foreground lay the river usually so calm and placid but now instinct with life ; immediately beyond were several villa residences nestling amongst trees already covered with spring verdure ; whilst the Port hills in tho distance formed an appropriate background to a charming picture The splendid band of the Yeomany Cavalry, under the leadership of Herr Bunz, was stationed stationed near tho buttery, and during the afternoon played the following pieces:—" Grand Festival March," (Baker), "Shells of Ocean," (Richardson), "The Heavens are Telling," (Haydn), "Life's a Bumper," (Bishop), " Mynheer Van Dunok" (Bishop), " Grand Valse," (Weber), "Selections from Grand Duchess," (Offenbach). It had been arranged that the launch of a new boat, belonging to the Union Club, should be the first part of the proceedings. This boat, which is a pair-oared praotioe boat, was built by Mr Harrison, of Lyttelton, after the lines of tbe Cygnet and Swan; she is built of cedar, her timbers being of English oak, and is to all appearance as smart and pretty a craft of its kind as ever sat upon the water. ' The launch was to be followed by a presentation of engraved pewters to the winning crew of the Boys' race between the Canterbury and Avon Clubs, on the Bth January last. THE LAUNCH. Precisely at half-past two a gun from tho battery announced that all was. in readiness, and Mrs Rolleston, who had kindly consented to perform the christening ceremony, accompanied by several ladios, and attended by his Honor the Superintendent and Mr John Ollivier, entered tho Boat-house from which the launch was to take place, where they were received by Mr Crosbie and aomo of the officers of the club. As the boat glided into the water, MM Rollebton threw over the bows a goblet of champagne, giving it at tho same time the name of the "Elfin" and adding "I hope it will win a great many cups." . Mr Ollivier, in proposing the health oi Mrs Rolleston, said that they all thanked her most heartily for her kindness in coming there in order to christen the boat, and he felt m™ that they all endorsed that lady's wishes tor its BUCcesß. The toast was drank amidst enthusiastic cheering. THE PBEBEJ.TATION OF CCT3. Mrs Rolleston then presented the cups to the winners before alluded to, who bel°iW*» to the Canterbury Club, and who pulled in the Lurline against the Avon Club, in ™ a Greyhound. The names of the -winners are— W E Webb, 1; A Stedman, 2; A S Mc-far-lane, 3 ; James Callender, stroke; W Calender, coxswain. , _~ The cups were then filled with champagnj and the winners, after giving throe ohwntot their unsuccessful opponents, d ranK , JL health*, and wished them every success for uw U Mr Bonn (Lyttelton) proposed the health of his Honor the Superintendent, remarking that his Honor had always given every en couragement to boating clnbs. The toast was duly honoured. , Mr Rolleston said he was much oo»g e to them for their kindness. Aa a mem-W of an old university boating club, he naturally took a keen interest in boating afluirs* THE PROCESSION. By the time the above initiatory ceremonies

concluded, the marshal, Mr R. J. S. an had got his various boats into posi- ? ftrDl two gu ns fr° m fc he battery gave *'° D -' that the procession had started, snd s , ot,C boatf> swept gently down the river in luefollowing order:-------1 crrLLEBS-Dawson, Piper, Wood. r OI -B Oabs—Lurline, Tamesis, Isis, IHb, •_*• • Syren, Emu, Greyhound, Express. ?ATE OABS.— Stranger, Avon, Undine, . . r. vt ,net Swan, Phosphorus, Juliet, Black i^'ij Crest, Elfin. Pacing « nder Stnnmore bridge, the crows ■n puling g entl - v » the boats held their course A rounded a buoy moored in the bend of h river opposite Mr Cowlishaw's, and rece _ e d to the starting place in the same 'j l3 . The marshal then started the tots' in tne Bamo orc * cr * P ul ** n R quick time, A on their return the Lurline took the tre position at a line stretched across the c ?" ;rrmediately in front of the boat sheds. nver id>"" -«»*** j . i|. reg t 0 f the boats then closed in on each _c and locked, and at the command of the 61 «hal the crews simultaneously peaked oars Sh commendable precision. Three ringing w-s, followed by a salute of four gunß from th/'battery and the strains of military music, brought tbe inaugural ceremony to a close. SCBATCH FoTTR-OABED RACE. Mr Cohn, of Petersen and Co, having kindly offered a prize of five engraved pewters to be competed for, the captains of four of the eir?i_tchurcb Clubs met and arranged all preliminaries, when the following boats were allotted, tiz. — . Canterbury Rowing Club ...Emu Union Rowing Club Iris Avon Rowing Club Syren Heathcote Rowing Club ... Kiwi The course was from the cabbage tree to the Allows at the brewery. It being impossible to start the four boats abreast, it was decided that the race should be run in heats, which took place in the following order— Ist heat. g Tren —Andrews, 1 ; Reese, 2; Dawson, 3 ; D Reese, stroke ; Tully, cox. Kiwi—J Davis, 1; Stead, 2 ; MeAlpine, 3 ; Eer E A Lingard, stroke ; Webb, cox. This heat was closely contested for a considerable distance, but after rounding Cowli•liaw'a corner the Syren increased her lead, eventually winning by 22 seconds. SECOND HEAT. Emu— Murray, 1 ; T Grierson, 2 ; C Dudley, 3 ; F P flvitt » stroke j J Callender, coxIris—J Dudley, 1; Gain, 2 ; Jamieson, 3 ; Digby, stroke ; Anderson, coxswain. The Emu took the lead at starting and retaining it throughout, won by ten seconds. FINAL HEAT. The Syren and the Emu had now to try conclusions, and a most exciting race ensued, both boats and crew being very equally matched. The Emu, however, was quickest away and kept her advantage throughout, winning by about two lengths. - The sports of the day were now over, darkness was now setting in, and the band having played the National Anthem, those that had remained departed homewards.