OPENING OF THE BOATING SEASON.

Evening Post, Volume LXII, Issue 79, 30 September 1901, Page 2

OPENING OF THE BOATING SEASON.

The opening ceremony in connection with tho rowing soason was performed by Lord Ranfurly on Saturday afternoon., There was a large attendance of members and their friends at the clubhouses of the Star Boating Club, the Wellington Rowin« Club, and the Wellington N avals, bof siaos the usual crowd on the Jervoiuquay staging. Though tho weather was dull and threatening, and inclined to drizzle at times, there was little or no wind} and in consequence a smooth shedt of water. The chief feature of the afternoon was the procession of boats past the Governor (who was on the Star Club's bnlcony) and down the harbour towards Oriental Bay. The Ellon Ballance headed the line, and was followed by the boats of tho Torpedo Corps, the Wellington Navuls, and the Submarine Miners. A Parliamentary crow consisting of Messrs. Monk (s>troke), J. Allon, H. Rhodes, W. H. Herriea, W. J. Napier, with Mr. J. Fairchildi at the steer-oar, came next, and after it the official boats of the Stojr Club with the captain (Mr. G. H. Bdthune) and of the Wellington Rowing Club (Mr. R. F. Smith, captain). Tho remainder of the procession consisted of seven boats of the Wellington Club and .eight of the Star Club, and a crow from the Petone Club. A representative of the Horowhanua Club, Levin, was also present, and a cutter from the Petone Navals afterwards sailed across from Petono afid joinod in. Mr. G. F. C. Campbell was marshal. After tho return of the boats, L<Jvd Ranfurly, at the request of Mr. H. 'D. 8011, Preaident of the Star Club, formally declared the soason open. It was, he said, the fifth timo ba had hnd tho plonsuio of performing the ceremony, and he hnd to congratulate tho boating mon on having a better day thun on, any of the four previous occasions. Thrft, however, did not say a great deal for Wellington weather. He hoped they would uave a good summer. Three cheers were thon given. Two races followed— one between the Star and Wellington Club, and tho other between two crews of the Wellington Navals. Tho first race resultoa as follows :— Wellington R.C. (A. Galbraith stroke, M'Alpine, O. P. Jones aiid C. R. Furniss), 1; Wellington R.C JJ. R. Crawford stroke, H. M'Kinloy, G. Player, F. J. Ellison), 2 ; Wellington R.C. (T. Spencer stroke, W. Shilling, J. Hand. J. James), and Star B.C. (R. Pownall stroko, D. W. Duff, A. V. Johnston, J. D. Scott), dead heat. In the ' Naval Race, P. 0. Francis's crow just defeated a crew in charge of O. P. O. Rube. The guests of the different oluljs were entertained nt nfteruoon tea in the boathouses, and at tho conclusion of the proceedings dancing was indulged ot tho Nftvals shod. Two bands wero in attendance — the Garrison at tho , Navals' shed, ii nd Juppn on the sltids of the Star and Wellington Clubs' boathouses. Mr. W. C. Nntion, representing the Horowhenua Club (Levin), afterwards presented photographs of the Luke to tho two clubs. The Wellington! and Star Clubs had each presented a .boat to tho Horowhenua Club when it was first formed, and the pictures were ' intended as a token of good fellowship and of the country club's remembrance of their kindnesi. Mr. Nation hoped that his club would be ablo in. a short timo to send a crew to a Wellington regatta. The Submarine Mining Corps- desires to thank the captain of the s.s. Maori for the loan of the boat in which they were present^