THE CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12480, 17 April 1906, Page 10

THE CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA.

BLENHEIM WINS THE FOURS

(PHF-SU ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM.)

PICTON, April 16

The annual Championship Regatta, under tho auspices of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, took place today in glorious weather. There wa.s an immense attendance of spectator*-, and the local railway facilities provedto bo totally inadequate to cope with tho passenger traffic. Had it not been for the foresight of the district manager, Mr Euwaidi?, in stopping all gooiis traffic, and utilising trucks, hundreds ot people would have been lea- at the wa.veide stations. The Union Co. s Mararoa brought upward, of ti ft etui hundred excursionists from Wellington. The racing in most of the events was keen and exciting. The Blenheim crew's win in the Champion Fours d.d not come at- a surprise alter their snowing at. the Wairau Regatta on Saturday. The following are the results:— Champion Fours; two miles—Blenheim 1, Waiiirniiiii 2. Canterbury 3. Auckland. Union i.Wanj-anui'. Invercargil.. und fetar (.'Wellington'. a')-o started. From fin excellent start Canterbury. Star, and Blenheim were the first, to show in front, and when half a mile had been covered Blenheim had three lengths' lead, the Star crew havinjr fallen back last. At the half distance Blenheim •=.till led followed by Canterbury and Auckland, with the others up in a bunch. Blenheim h<-ld their advantage to the fini-di. witinunr by two lengths. Canterbury's chance wui spoiled by erratic ste.'rinjr. Tune. Umin 7sec. Maiden Four?: one mile—Star (We'linj*ton) 1. Avon (Christchurch) '_. Canlerbury. I'ctone aul Blenheim, also .started. The Stars |_r>'. we!l away, and soon established a short lead, which they held to the finish. Canterbury gave place, to Avon in the last half mile. The Stars won by a length. Time. Gmin.

Junior Pairs—Union (Christchurch) 1, Star (Wellingt-on) 2. Picton and Petone also competed. A snlendi.l race. Won by half a length in the last few strokes. Time, (imin -lltsrc.

Champion Sculls: one and a half.miles — Webb (Wiingamii Union) 1. Welch (Akaroj) 2. MrGrath (Otaco) 3. The- other starters were—Lumsden (Petone). Richards (Wn-te-matin, Fell and Dcnda.ll (Stars'. Welch fell back soon nft?r the start, Jiendal! a::d Webb taking up the lead. With a mile gone, Welch again assumed the lead. Ber.da'l rowing next. One hundred yards from home Webb got into smooth water close to the shore, and bewail to overhaul Welch, who ceased rowing when leading by a length, allowing Webb to win easily. Welch, however, went on again, and secured second place, McGrath finishing two lengths behind him. Time, Italia SSseo.

Youths' Fours; one' mile—-Union (Wang.inui) 1. Stir (Wellington) 2. Canterbury. Wellington and Petone also competed. Time. Siniu Css'>c.

Championship P-.virs: one mile ar.d a half— Dunedin Amateur 1. Star (Wellington) 2, Wellington Rowing- Club .1. Immediately after tho start a foul occurred between Cnr.terbury and I'ioton. which spoiled the chance.* of lx>t-h crews. Tin- Stars led from t.he start, followed by Dunodin. At the half distance tho southern p-.iir were in front, and although stceniisr an erratic octirse. maintained the lead to the finish. H:i!f a mile from h-ou.-e the Wellington «r.d Star men made a strong bid for victory, but failed to get level with ]>unedin, w-ho won by a- length. Wellington tbreo Icncths away. Time. Darin 27sec

Junior Fours; o::o mile and a half—Kelson 1 Star (Wellington) 2. Pict-on 3. Invercargill also started. _fais.~,u steered, the Ix-st course, and won by three, lengths. Time, Bniin 4,"isec.

Champion Don;b'.i> Sculls; one mile and a half—Union (Wanganui) 1. Wellington, 2. Canterbury. Otago nnd Stars also cotupetc-. Otago ahead from the start, but were s.">on overhauled by Union and Wellington. Otaro then fouled tho Union boat and Wellington pushed on. but the Union men soon ■rot going again, and assuming the lead, were not afterwards troubled, ■winrjinjr by two lengths. Time', 9min ".sec.

Ladies' Plate; one liuio and a half—Union. (Wanganui) 1. Aii.klsnd 2. Tho only starters. Won. by a length. Time. Bmiu 28sec.