Rowing.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 122, 21 November 1908, Page 14

Rowing.

{By "Scull.")

The Auckland Rowing Association's programme of events to be decided at the championship regatta on 13th February, 1909, is conspicuous for the omission of one very important event — the "youths' fours." This is to be regretted, seeing that the feeling usually entertained sporting bodies is for tho encouragement of youthful talent — the mainstay of every division of sport. But Auckland may yet be persuaded to include in its programme a race for boys, that is, if ,tho Wellington Association's recommendation to the New Zoaland Rowing Association be considered in a sportsmanlike manner. If we are to stimulate a livelier interest amongst our youthful oarsmen, we must see that the contest set apart for juniors under twenty-one is not allowed to lapse. Apart from ths absence of the youths' fours, the Auckland Association has drawn up a list of races, indicating a judicious choice, and it will be found that few rowers will resist tho temptation of competing in races at a place which, besides the regatta, provides so many attractions. During last week the water has been se«n at its best, and it was not surprising that there should have been attracted a fair percentage of oarsmen from both local sheds. There were from the Star Boating Club nine senior and eleven junior crews practising for the four-oar raoes to be rowed next week, whilst the Wellington Rowing Club had in training five senior and five junior fourcrews preparing for races to be rowed on 6th December. The final of t-he Wellington Rowing Club's fours brought out two crews to try conclusions. Both having figured very prominently in piior heat*, an interesting duel was anticipated, but H. M'Kinley's crew carried too many guns for Hulbert's, and the latter, though striving hard to turn the tables, suffered defeat in the end by a length. The winners rowed with splendid "uniformity," and, individually, stroke and Dovey were powerful factors in carrying tho crew to the front, whilst for the losers, Hulbert, Perry, and Dean gave a fine exhibition of aggressive blade-work. The following crews have been selected to represent the club at the first regatta races : — Senior Double Sculls : H. M'Kinley and W. J. Gaudin ; Junior Fours :W. i Chirnside (stroke), A. Jackson (3), D. Crombie (2), and A. Trevor (bow); Maiden Fours : S. Standen (stroke), E. Perry (3), E. Charman (2), and W. Hulbert (bow) ; Youths' Fours : S. Shilling (stroke), P. Davey (3), G. Cairns (2), and T>. Stewart (bow) ; Maiden Double Sculls : C. Gray and C. J. Green. Reviewing the men chosen, it is at once apparent that in a good many cases the selectors have drawn upon new material, who, it is certain, in the hands _of coaches, should add lustre- to the rowing power of their club. Mr. Bishop, an old campaigner, is, I am informed, taking the Maiden crew in hand. During inclement weather, when the ruffled water is a constant source of grumbling, active rowers of the Star I Boating Club should spare their wrath, and avail themselves of the opportunity to participate in the benefits derivable from the rowing machine placed at their disposal. A stroke oarsman, or a coach, has no better method of driving home to ih& novice the secrets of -accuracy, ease, and stylo of rowing, this, when he has his men placed in tho practising nw ihiiio. PETONE ROWING CLUB. I Rowing in its many phases is exciting keener interest at the Petone shed, and if things keep moving ahead as at presI ent, there is bound to be even a greater display of enthusiasm. In the "trial fours," Bonner (stroke), M'Farlane (3), Inglis (2), and Gallaher (bow) beat 1 Sharon (stroke), Croft (3), Burridge (2), and Williams (bow) to the tune of on© length, but it was a meritorious display lby both crews, who never rowed a I sterner race. The junior fours is to be decided today, when the following crews will meet : —Fitzgerald (stroke), Parr (3), Brunnett (2), and Cunliffe (bow) ; Canty (stroke), Pearoe, Newell, and Glenme; M'Farlane (stroke), Nuttall, Wallis, ' Bland; D. Gallagher (stroke), Burridge, May, Staples; C. Lusty (stroke), Arrowsmith, T. Fitzgerald, J. Staples; A. May (stroke), Linkani, Noble, Drummond. Practice (night and morning) for this event was" undertaken, so crews will have no excuse to offer should they exhibit bad form. Mr. J. Lumsden has volunteered his services as coach for the club. This is distinctly pleasing news for the followers of the sport, because encouragement is a big item when greater progress is the outstanding object to be achieved.

The Mariborough Express records the capture of a monster eel in the Pelorus river. The eel weighed 321b, and when it was opened it was found to have swallowed ait sel 16m long and two fine trout, each wei&binjr, about 21b.