CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8726, 23 February 1894, Page 6

CHRISTCHURCH REGATTA.

President—Mr A. K. Q. Rhode*; Vice-Presi-denu—Mtsars H. l>. Buchanan, T. Gapes Mayor of Chrisrchurch. R. Heacou Khodes; Judges— Meesn R. Ueacon Rhodes. H. i>. buchaoan, 3. C Kesteven; Umpires— Messrs J. O. Jones, A. IC. Craddock; Timekeepers—Messrs C K. Oalcutt. A. I* Smith; Boat Yard Committed—Mcsira J. H. JCrans. G. H. Mason, H. L. Bowlkor, F. D. Kesteven; »f-arcer—Mr Fred Fuller; lion. Treasurer—Mr F. W. HooUe; Geuer*l Committee-Mesara W. G. Ai.ci. JS. M. Boulton, if. Bowiker, F. VV\ Dunnage, J. H. Kvane. J. v. Joaee, F. l>. Kesceven, H. F. Nicoll. S. Li. Paruiuge; Hau. secretary, Mr H. R. Homan.

The Christen urch Regatt* Committee were yesterday once more unfortunate, the heavy nor'-easter making Lake iforsyth so rough as to prevent the programme being cu-ried out. A- bright and promising day turned out very windy and the water was about as uninviting for sculling boats as could be imagined. 'The attendance was smaller than ou previous occasions, not even as many people as hitherto availing themselves of the excursion to Little River.. The first race on the programme was got off under most disheartening conditions, and afterwards the Committee of the Club met to decide upon the best course to adopt. After some discussion it was decided to take the races, the boats in which would hare the best chance of living in the comparatively high seas that were rolling over the Lake. It was agreed to send out the Maiden Double and Juvenile Double Sculls. The former race was finished, but could scarcely be considered satisfactory. Two crews of the Juvenile Double Sculls reached the starting point, where they baled out the water they had shipped pulling against the head wind; but the third crew, the Avou, only succeeded in going about 200 yards, when their boat went down no3e foremost, and crew and boat had to he assisted ashore. The accident led to another Committee meeting, at which, at 2.30 p.m., an adjournment was agreed upon until 4 p.m. When that hour came round, however, wind and waves

were in no way diminished. Racing was scarcely possible, aud at 5.15 p.m., when the first train departed for Christchurch, competitors and officials remained behind in the hope of getting off some of the events. Conditions continued just as bad, and eventually the other races were postponed to be rowed ou the Estuary this afternoon. Spectators and crews are requested to leave town by the 2 p.m. tram. The uncontested events are the Senior Fours, Maiden Fours, Juvenile Plate, Senior Pairs, Ladies' Plate, Senior Double Sculls and Single Sculls. Appended are the results of the two coniuleted races:—

Maiden Double Sculls (with coxa wain) ; first priiie £6 and trophy presented by S. Nutt, at present held by Wairewa Boating Club; second prize £2. One mile.

Avon Rowing Club—F. Wheeler, bow; J. MoKendry, stroke ; F. Smith, cox 1 Wairewa Boating Club— J. Jones, bow ; VV. Reea, stroke ; E. Nutt, cox ... 2 Canterbury Bowing Club—C. S. Bell, bow ; L. Appleby, stroke; A. Taylor, cox ... ... ... ... 3 Tiinaru Rowing Club— J. Parr, bow ; L. Bourn, stroke ; R. Parr, cox ... 0 Star Boating Club—T. B. Herd, bow ; G. C. Fache, stroke; T. W. Browu, cor ... ... ... ... 0 Avon got away a little to the good, and pulling into slightly smoother water than their opponents, improved their advantage. Wairewa followed closely, and the other three boats also endeavoured to make under the lee of ttie shore. Timaru and Star lost so much in the attempt that they gave in. Canterbury continued their course, but was unable to reduce the fifty yards which separated them from Wairewa, and the local representative failed to overtake the Avon, in which order they passed the winning post.

Juvjekile Double Sculls (with coxswain), for youthe under twenty-one yeara; first prize £6 and trophy presented by B. Petersen and Co., at present held by Wairewa Boating Club; second prize £2. Timaru Rowing.Club—W. F. Johnaton, bow; J. Parr, stroke; R. Parr, cox... 1 Union Rowing' Club—VV. Smith, bow ;•',.- G. Minifie, stroke ; F. Trenchard, cox 2 Wairewa Boating Club—P. Johlin, bow ;' - W: Reed, stroke ; J. Beecroft, cox ... J) The Union were away first, but all were slow in taking the water. Timaru settled down the soonest to work and quickly put on a lead of four lengths. Ttiis was considerably reduced before the race was completed,, but the Blue and White could not overtake' the Southern crew. Wairewa did not finish. 'The placed crews found it more convenient to carry their boats to the boat yard, thau row them back against the wind from the finishing point, a distance of about half a mile or more.