AQUATICS.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10632, 17 April 1900, Page 6

AQUATICS.

AMATEUR ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS. (PRESS ASSOCIATION- TELE-HAM.) • PICTON, April 16. The New Zealand Amateur/ Rowing Association Championship Meeting took place to-day. Just before li a.m. drizzling rain set in, and this militated somewhat against the attendance, though fully 2500 were present, 500 of whom came from Wellington. The wind and rain varied in a most annoying manner, decreasing in the interval before and after the races, but increasing while the races -were in progress. Tbe Maiden Fours event "was rowed in none too good water, but the scullers had fairly smooth water. The delay in thisev-nt ran the chief event into somewhat dirty water, and for a time it was doubtful -whether the -last mentioned race would be rowed. From th© umpire's boat two crews could be seen ashoEe, and half an hour of valuable time was wasted, for what purpo_e could not be ascertained until the starter'- boat came up, and the starter informed the umpire that both the Aramoho and Canterbury crews declined to row in the present state of tbe water. The officials dbcidsd that the water was none too rough, and the shore crews being informed, of this decision and still declining to como out, the race started without them. As the Picton and Stars crews left the post, they'were on even terms, but it was nolf long before the Stars were in difficulty, and Pioton rowed over the course alone. After this event the weather became decidedly worse. "White horses" were in view over th. whole course, while steady rain fell. However the Junior Fours—viz., Wellington, Wanganui, Stars, Canterbury, and Picton—mad© the attempt to get down to the starting post. When the Wellington Rowing Club crew were half way down to the starting post, the boat swamped, and the other boats went ashore to prevent a similar casualty. The Wellington crew were rescued by the umpire's boat, but their outrigger is damaged beyond repairing, having parted in the middle.

As there was no improvement in the weather, the Ckrannittee met to decide as to the advisability of continuing the events, and also to discuss the race for the Senior Fours. The Picton crew, in the most magnanimous spirit, offered to forego their honour and the prize money, but Jdtr Batkin (the starter) and Mr Johnson" (toe umpire) declined to retire from the position, they had taken up. Therefore, the Picton crew retains the Championship. Here, it may be said, that the question as to whether the watsr 19 suitable- or not, is left to the umpire, starter, and chairman of the local Regatta Committee, but the latter, being interested as coach of the Picton crew, decided, to take no part in the decision. The result come to. by the other two officials wa_;un_j_i_-OUsly upheld.

Drenchdhg rain fell all tbe afternoon, and the excursionista-saw very little of the regatta* The Mana stays as the umpire's boat-, the Committee, subsidising her. Both Aramoho and (-ante-bury are sadd to be rowing in boats which are too light for the crews, and this may explain why they dedined to compete in the Championship event, .which the rules "declare must be rowed in ___ooth water. Results: —

: - Maiden Fours, in clinkers; prizes £10. and __; one mile and a half—Star Boating Club, Wellington, 1; Arainoho Boating Club, Wanganui, 2; Picton Rowing Club, 3; Nelson Rowing Club, 4. Won by three or four lengths. Time, 7min 56 3-sth sec.