In the Boats

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 90, 13 October 1923, Page 16

In the Boats

A START MADE

REDDING SHIELD CONTEST

MATTERS OF MANAGEMENT.

COMING. EVENTS.

To-day—Opening at Pelone. X7tb October—Petone R.C., Trial Fours.

Memorial Fours. 18th October—Wellington K.C., Bert Shaw Memorial Fours. 20th October—Star 8.C., tidies' Foure,

Novice Pairs, mh October—Star 8.C., Whaleboat Memorial Race.

(By "Strom.")

Contrary to expectations, the fine weather that had been enjoyed during the week broke, and the Wellington 1923-24 rowing season was opened last Saturday in weather that was distinctly wintry. Despite this, howerer, enthusiasm was not damped, and, taking everything into consideration, the attendance at the Star Boating Club, where the opening ceremony took place, may be considered as very satisfactory. The season was opened by the association's president (Sir Francis Bell). Though cold and misty, the light southerly did not prevent the holding of the R*dding Shield contest, and in this, the Wellington Club easily secured first place. As is the custom, the races were decided over a short course, from the inner tee oi the Queen's Wharf to the end of the Taranaki Street Wharf, and though the opportunities of witnessing them -were not very favourable, a large percentage of visitors and thejr friends braved the elements and saw the programme to its conclusion. There was nothing of outstanding importance to mark the day as far as the rowing was concerned, but the events were all closely contested, and in some instances provided exciting finishes. The programme included six events, the first being an open four-oared race, which drew entries from practically oarsmen of senior class only. Wellington and Petone entered two crews in this event, and Star one. The crews got away well. and. Wellington No. 1 crew and Star had a tussle for first place, Wellington -ultimately securing the verdict by a short canvas. The two crews were :—Wellington : Symonds (etr), Johnsen (3), Bright (2), Wilson (bow). StarM'Gowan (str), Oborn (3), Herd (2), Wiakelin (bow). Pet-one lowed into third place. In toe Youths' Fours, Wellington was again represented with two crews. The race resulted in a win ior Petone—M'Lauoblan (str), Warden (3), Gardiner (2), Maud (bow)—with Wellington No. 2 crew—Ottaway (str), Robins (3), Morris (2), Collins (bow), second. Welungton No. 1 crew secured third place; r£ u race waf! w °n by a length. Three entries were received from Wellington for the Double Sculls, but the No. 2 crew (Symonds and- Wilson) did not compete. The race was won with a length to spare by Sta.-—Davis (str) iuams (bow)—from. Wellington Nc 1 crew-Bright. (Btr), Johnsen (bow)-with Wellington No. 2 craw third. The nest event, the Maiden Tours, provided the best race of the day, with the most exciting finish. Six crewe started, three from Wellington, two from Petone, and one from Star. The crews made a good start, and early in the race ii, was seen that the remits would be closely contested Wellington No. 2 crew, went to win by the margin of four feet from Star, with Petone No. 1 crew third. The two placed crews were :—Wellington : Mawson (str), West (3), Clark (2), Van W (b°w)- Star: Diehl (str), Hereford (3), Steward (2), Blundell (bow). _ Uniy two crews were entered for the Veterans' Fours, Star being unable to produce a combination. Sharon (str) Drumond (3), White (2), Wileon (bow were Petone'a representatives, and WelW" I™*? rsPww>*ed by Hinchcliffe W- T Udm 3» R- Crawford (2), M kinky (bow). The Petone men rowed a neater stroke, and won comfortably by a length. For the purpose of compiling the positions of the clufcs, 5 isomts were, awarded for first first place, and 2 for second Wellington secured 3 firsts and 3 seconds; Petone 2 firsts and 1 second; and Star 1 first and 2 seconds. Wellington accordingly took the Redding Shield with tl points; Petone, , second, • with 12 points; and Star, third, with 9 point* Une of the pleasing features of the day was the duplicating of crews, which not only, meant keener competition, but made the race a beter one from the specw"s fP°i nt J of View" Taken aM-wSd, last Saturday's events were well Mipported especially the Maiden Fours, in which six crews started, and which was

CLUB FIXTURES. f,;"* i te. scon's programme on It ih% cr > when the first heats of the Bert Shaw Memorial Fours will L 6 T^- After the °Peni"S at Petone to-day the club's officers will get I>W with the various club fixtures, and an. eye m kept . oufc for who shows promise. The club's pro¥HT? e\? hich is 3 fairly lengthy one. the Bert Bh»w Memorial Fours. •Kempthorno Fours, Wareham Fours, fC" • Junior Fours > President's £our 6 Senior and Junior Pairs, Club Double Sail s , Bannatyne and Hunter ■Uouble Sculls, Senior and Junior Sculls, and Ladder Sculls. For all these events i f ub Possesses trophies, which are keenly contested. The committee is making an early start with the races, in view of the number of more important fixtures that are coming off later m the season.

pI hz *ml Club Fours is Pane's first club fixture this season, and this is set aown for early next week. It has been the custom of the club to pick the crews shortly after nominations have been called ior, and to commence the heats for tne race within the course of the following day or two. Though this method of getting off club fixtures is noi the orthodox way, allowing no time for training tot- cnat particular event, it has been lound m practice to be the best method o- rowing off a large number of ciub events m a comparatively short space o» time, thus leaving greater opportunities for special work in connection with *v r?' a\ mn S o-i regatta crews. After "ho Fours, the other club fixtures will be the Mothes Pairs, Collett Fours, narlen Fours (junior class), Drummond f a!r? (junior class), Jcnness Pairs (novices), and Senior Fours. Tiie club's plant has recently been supplemented two new e ij wttß ; wej(l jj ,;„£)„ flo ,,|?in S .boaUi. XUfi* jkifis, jyhich iwa Qi.ihs

latest design, are credited with being very fast and adaptable boats. Their try-out will be looked for with interest. The call for nominations for the junioivand senior fours has not met with much success at the Star Club, and the committee has been compelled to postpone the race, which is usually the nrat of the season, to a later date, and in the meantime to row off the novice pairs, a.fter which the novices will be eligible for entry in the junior fours. It is regrettable that the call for en•tt £." the iunior °lass did not meet with better response, the race committee being able to select two crews only, ihe following crews have been picked for the ladies' fours (half-mile), first heat to be rowed on the 20th October : S?^°, r, a JstT). Fenton (3), Anyon (2>, Mitchell (bow) ; Johns (str), Marris 3) *J Kinjey (2), Hill (bow); Carroll (str Walcehn (3 , Gordon (2), Lute (bow) r,a^ {BYJ' ,Blundell (3>- B«n««y ird ray£ y W\L Herd <■«*■)> Stew vefJvl' 5? sk"lg $>, Barraclough (bow), reserve, Hmge. The first heats of the the fotr rn\T als° to be. rowed event h Crews f« that event . have been picked as follows • M°I k e 6 a n aDS d h-G- V4 C66 T»*ei and Kadcliffe h F VD V ""* Hams and jjaacune, &. Vance and Woorlrwk de UTour au h "Kffi vile^retTeXS^ 168 ' J "*"

ALTERATIONS TO RDLEs. been received from the WaS Association); the allocation of interprovincial fours race, which this M gC? t0 F the South'island! and clause AM fi°'?- Ugh Associa«on: "That resdndeii d^ wtl? n of « amateur,' be t,,1l • An amateur oar™™ or competed for a stake or money prize S bf. or declared wager, VTny t£-° atliletic sport.'" ti , .^"Samn Association is to move the following addition to rule 1, rules for amateur regattas: "The association hold" year m, f^ m Plonsh jP regatta, in each thl * ■ i ISSUe and circ«late to clubs to thTwf P f °*f amme one month P»or to the date of the regatta." The following addition to rule 17 j s tL "T^ *l y the- Cant«b«y Associa- „""; Th£ championship regatta shall 5 cadi 1L" rl" r *- 31St JanU"

J«tf T" g? socla«on t° move an additional rule for amatour regattas: That where a weight limit is concerned (such as light weight maiden fours 10 stone and under, members of a crew must be weighed prior, to a race, the regatta committee to supply the necessary weighing machine." Tho alteration to the definition of an amateur could be supported, as clause a oi that definition is a covering one, and states—"has never derived any pecuniary profit, directly or indirectly, from rowing or sculling, or from the t ii ?{■ sor any clllb in any branch of athletic sport." " The remit that will be sure to receive the whole-hearted support of delegates will be the addition to rale 17, regarding the date of the championship regatta.-----lo guard against a repetition of the state of affairs that existed at the last championship regatta, held at Bluff on the Ist January, has evidently been the motive that actuated the Canterbury Association in bringing forward this remit. It is obvious that, a championship regatta held in the early part of the season is entirely unsuited, primarily because erew E by that time have not reached the standard of efficiency they would otherwise attain later. The deciding of championship honours then, results in judging the standard of oarsmanship after.half /season's activities only. Again, it may be pointed out that after the championship fixture (which usually is held towards the close of the season) interest is considerably lacking as far as the season's rowing is concerned, and a regatta held about March is an incentive for oarsmen to keep themselves in training with a sufficient object. ;n view throughout the entire season. The remit no doubt will be strongly supported.

LIABILITIES NIL.

There are not many rowing clubs in New Zealand that can show as healthy a balance-sheet as that submitted at the annual meeting of the Union Plowing Club (Christchurch). Though the club has only slightly over an active membership list of 100, it is in the happy position of having no liabilities, and assets that total £6546. Included in the latter is property consisting of the boathouse at . Christchurch (£3500); boathouse at New Brighton (£350); and boats and plant (£2150). It is certainly an envious position.

By the Niagara Harry Pearce, who retired some ten years back as undefeated champion of Australia, reached Sydney recently after a visit to "Vancouver. During his brief stay he had the good fortune to meet Mr. R. P. Woodward, president of tho Vancouver 8.C., and a great rowing enthusiast. He also had a row with the North Pacific Coast amateur champion sculler, G. Kingsley, who is big and strong, and the makings of a great sculler. It is considered possible that Mr. Woodward will make Pearce an offer to go to VanCDUver to act as coach to the scullers and oarsmen of that cifcy. The Vancouver B.C. obtains all its racing boats from England. . ■ R. W. Phclps, of Pntr.ay, who recently wop the historic Doggeifs Coat and Badge rac3 on the Thames, belongs to a waterside i.wi'y whioS hss a remarkable record ra this event. His father's uncle was successful as far bad: rs 1860. In i 875 his uncle (Wuliam Phelpsi -*-?a the winner, hie Jjther won in 1884 kvs orother, T. E, Vhelps, in 1919, and soother brother-, T. J. Phelps, m 1922. Tliree younger brothers are* looking forward to the time when they can compete and uphold the family tradition, states "London Sporting Life." The fourth annual regatta to decide the destination for another year of the Cock o' the Harbour Challenge Shield was successfully carried out on the 24th Saptember. Three -ace 3 v/ere rowed over a three-quarter ~ ;ile course, and the holders (North Shore R.C.) were victorious again—they dead-heaisd with Mosir.an R.C. in the Junior Fours, and won both the maiden e%'er.ts.

Marseilles is excited by the discovery of precious stones inside fish. Recently a superb emerald was found in a dogfish. Later, a. fisherman netted a bass Tveisrhinst G"b. On culitng it open ha found an Oriental turquoise' of rare beauty and without fault, weighing 59 grammes.

Verscb o; posti-y ir<>. ofton ir-.-icno'sd on n*m*iti m»izM9 «!;, <,« tusks them more iUitwiiv*. '