AQUATICS.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 75, 26 September 1898, Page 2

AQUATICS.

OPENING OP THE BOWING SEASON. There was beautiful weather on Saturday for the formal opening of the rowing season in Wellington, a light southerly breeze enabling the programme to be carried out in a most successful manner. The Government launch Ellen Ballance was to have led the procession, but as she was not available one of tho Wellington Naval cutters, under Lieutenant Biss, took her place. The whole of the boats belonging to the Star, Wellington, and Horomoana Clubs^were out on the water, and the spectacle was vv'ftll worth witnessing. The procession, J which was carried out in accordance with a programme arranged by Mr. G. F. C. Campbell, was formed near the Queen's Wharf and went past the Star, Wellington, and Naval sheds, in which were crowds of spectators, up to the Te Aro Baths, returning in the same order to the Star skids, where the Governor and Lady Kaufurly, and the .members of their family and suite, were assembled. The various crews saluted His Excellency by tossing their oars. When (he boats returned to the Star shed Mr. E. Poarce apologised for the absence of Mr. H. 1). Bell, President of the Star ! Boating Club, and explained that he had t been asked to represent that gentleman, on whose behalf he offered His Excellency a very sincere and respectful welcome. The rowing people were very gratified that His Excellency had accopted their invitation, because his presence lent lustre to the ceremony. He (Mr. Pearco) trusted that the beautiful weather which prevailed for the opening of the season was an omen that boating men were to have a successful summer. He would ask the Governor to declare the season open. His Excellency said he could assure those present that it always gave him the greatest pleasure to take part in any affair relating to boating. He trusted that they might lake the fine weather that afternoon as an augury that the 'people of Wellington were to have jolly good boating weather this summer. He also hoped that the clubs now taking part in the opening ceremony might continue in their friendship and also in their antagonism, and might have good records at the end of the season. He had pleasure in declaring the season opened. At the suggestion of Mr. G. H. Bethune, Captain of the Star Club, the rowing men gave three ringing cheers for the Governor, and a similar compliment was paid to Lady Ranfurly. Later on His Excellency acted as judge of a four-oared gig race, in which the Star Club and the Wellington Club was each represented b} r four cretvs. A capital struggle took place, the winning crew consisting of W. C. F. Spargo (bow), A. Hill (2), A. M'Laren (3), and T. Spencer (stroke), S. Scott (cox), l-epresenting the Wellington Club, which beat W. Home (bow), Duignaii (2), A. H. Barnett (3), and W. Bendall (stroke), belonging to the Star Club, by about half a length. The course was from FitzGerald's Point to the Star shed. The race was started by Lieut. Biss of the Wellington Navals. When the result was known the Captain of the Wellington Rowing Club (Mi\ G. Read) was presented to His Excellency, who complimented him on the victory. The other Star crews were third, fourth, and fifth. During the early part of the afternoon Jupp's Band played on the Star skids, and later on it performed on the Wellington Club's lawn, while the Boys' Institute Band played at intervals in the Naval Boatshed. Afternoon tea was served in the Star Clubhouse by Mr. Mawson, and in the Wellington Clubshed and the Naval Shed by Mr. S. Scott. A crew from the Horowhenua Boating Club took part in the procession in one of the Star Club's whalers. Mr. E. Crauford was Secretary of Ijhe Committee which arranged " the opening ceremony. _ __ __ i The annual cutter races of the Wellington Navals are to take place on sth November. The following crews have been selected : — P.O. Rabe's erew — Dawson, Shaw, Green, Campbell, Bradley, Browne, Smith, Putley, Williamson, Greathead, and Stewart. Lead-ing-Gunner Prance's erew — Naylor, Kay, Peterson, M'Williams, Macfarlane, M'Leod, Burns, Janson, Jones, Cruickshanks', and Marsh. Leading-Gunner Broomhall's crew — Powell, Francis, Hutchins, Anton, G. Bowater, Jaffray, C. Nelson, Syrnonds, A. Baker, Peder, and Clark. Gunner Sparke's erew — Caluan, F. Baker, Wilson, Bulford, Arnold, Evans, Sloane, Turner, Stott, E. Nelson, and Cooke. Broomhall's and France's crews will commence training tomorrow night at 7.30. There was no prize in connection with the gig race held at the conclusion of the opening of the boating season on Saturday. It is a pity that trophies were not offered. It is several years since a rowing regatta was held here, and sifter Saturday's exhibition little difficulty should be found in collecting miflioient" funds to ensure one being held this season. The crew which won the rowing championship of the Wellington Navals last year tried conclusions on Saturday with a crew under P.O. Rabe, and succeeded in winning by about two lengthy. The coxswain of the winning crew was L.G. Prance, and Gunner Dawson was stroke.