AQUATICS. THE RONA'S VICTORY.

Evening Post, Volume XLV, Issue 33, 9 February 1893, Page 3

AQUATICS. THE RONA'S VICTORY.

The starters in the first-class yacht race in Anckland on Saturday were the Wellington yacht Rona, 7 tons (A. H. Turnbull) ; Arawa, 9.22 tons (J. L. Bloomfield) ; Spray, 7 tons (A. J. S. Gibbs) ; Muritai. 11 tons (C. H. Lushingtou). The Maratca was also entered, but did not start. Tho Muritai from the windward position was tho first off at 9.45, followed by the Rona, Spray, and Arawa. On coming into view round tho North Head tho first time tho Rona and Spray had pressed the Muritai so hardly as to got tho lead. This the Rona kept all" the way up to tho Arawata, completing tho first round of tho course at lh 39m ; the Muritai was exactly a minute behind her ; tho Spray passed at lh 51m 455. The Arawa, which was last, was seven minutes behind tho Spray ; approaching tho mark-boat a man was sent aloft ; her mast broke short off, and sho had to be brought in chore. The Rona maintained hor position down tho harbour, but tho Muritai gained on her half a minute in time to the Orakei mark. Coming back the Muritai was first scon round the North Head with 9m 3s to the good. Thenco ensued a hard strncrglo. It was evident tho decision would rest with seconds. Tho Muritai improved her place, rounding tho Arawata at 4h 15m 30s, and the judge's mark boat at 4h 19m 50s. The Rona passed the Arawata at 4h 28m 40s, and the mark at 4h 33m 255. Tho Spray finished at 4h 48m 455. The Muiitai was sailed by Mr. T. Henderson, tho Rona by Mr. A Buchanan, tho Spray by Captain Gibbs, and the Arawa by Mr. J. L. E. Bloorafield. On hor timo allowance the Rona wins by about two minutes. A great deal of interest wa3 evinced by the membors of the Wellington Rowing Club last ovening in tho result of the final heat of tho Junior Doublo Sculling Kaco. The crows were— P. Ryan (bow), J. E. Gamble (stroke), and D. Plunkott (cox), and J. Patterson (bow), E. D. Barber (stroke), and C. Dix (cox). Gamble's crow went away with a lead, but when half the distanco had been traversed Barbor's began to lessen the gap, and at the finish both wero on level torms, the result being a dead heat. Tho raco was a splendid ono, and causod groat oxcitomont. Mr. S. Waters started tho race, and Mr.

G. S. Mouatt, Deputy Captain, acted as judge. Tho crews will probably meet again this e\ oiling. In eonseqiionco of tho Star Boating Club's 1 four-oared boat boing damaged, thoro will bo no racing amongst tho mombors until aftor tho Lake Forsyth regatta.