In the Boats

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 82, 5 April 1924, Page 18

In the Boats

EVENTS AHEAD

THE OLYMPIC TEST

ITEMS OF INTEREST.

COMING EVENTS.

■April 21—Interprovineial Fours, Picton Harbour.

(By " Stboze.")

Although the 1923-1924 rowing season has virtually come to a conclusion, the most important race of the year—in fact, perhaps the most important race ever to be rowed in the history of rowing in New Zealand—the inter-provincial fours, is yet to take place. "The result of this" race will decido who are to be New Zealand's representatives at the Olympic Games, and the two nominated crews, Wanganui Union and Blenheim, will meet on Queen Charlotte Sound on Easter Monday, to decide the issue. They will not only be representing their clubs,, but will also bo carrying the coiours_ of their respective provinces, Blenheim beiqg the crew chosen to represent Marlborough. Besides the two combinations mentioned, Wellington, and probably Canterbury and Auckland, will add to the field, and with at least three "crack" crews there can be little doubt that the race will be by a long way the best seen for many a long day. Canterbury have proved their right to the title of the best provincial crew in New Zealand, and their meeting with Blenheim,' this^ season's champions, .md the famous Wanganui Union' crew stroked by Healey, will be awaited with the greatest interest. The Wellington Association has selected a crew to represent the province, and the combination has been getting down to hard training under the expert coaching of Mr. "Bobr Crawford, es-chamx)ioh oar. ' The intei--provincial fours race will be supported by a regatta programme, and everything points to a successful day's sport. Should offer many supporters of rowing and others interested in kindred sports, who find themselves unable to make the trip, would doubtless welcome the opportunity of^seeing the crews who pass through Wellington, either iiefore or after the regatta, in action. The question of arranging a meeting of the champion crews here might be considered by the Wellington Association. The probability is, that the Wanganui and Auckland crews will be a day in Wellington on the return journey, and they, with the Wellington representatives, might make a field -which would be sure to prove an attraction. -

A RACE ON THE WAIROA RIVER,

\ iJy the Maheno, from Auckland, came VVm. M'Devitt, the result of whose races with J> P. Haiman on the upper-waters, of Waitemata Harbour havo been-re-corded, the first meeting being declared "uo race," whilst Haunan won on the second occasion (states the "Referee"). M'Devitt is of the opinion that he wou at the first attempt. After describing the cottrse and incidents of the .races, lie stated that it was desired tho claim for an Australasian title bo put on a sound basis. "It is realised, he said, "that such title is not recognised in Australia, and' it is hoped that the Jjeague of New South Wales Scullers will join _ hands with the New Zealand authorities to ■ bring' into existence a title recognised in both Commonwealth and Dominion." M'Devitt reported that he is shortly returning to Auckland to participate in a race over a three' miles course on the Wairoa River under the patronage of the Mayor and leading citizens' of Dargaville Northern Wairoa It is' stipulated that it is open to all-comers from Australia and New Zealand.: The iJargaville sportsmen are to subscribe to a purse, which is to., be cut up into three or more prizes. And it is hoped something in the way of an Australasian title; could be included. M'Devitt reports the course on the Wairoa as a very line one, and somewhat similar to that at Ulmarra on the Clarence."

ONCE AND FOR ALL.

Mr. E, B. Hornblow, Mayor of Dargaville, has informed an Aucl&and Star reporter that a satisfactory settlement has been arrived at in connection with the establishment of the Australasian sculling championship., In reply to a request forwarded by 'him to the. New South Wales Sculling League, tli.it the first race for the title should be rowed on the Northern1 Wavroa' River, Darga•V}'s> he. has received a cablo from W. MDevitt, of Sydney,, stating that the league has decided to recognise and cooperate with Mr. Hornblow, and to do all m their power to promote the initial raco at Dargaville. The league has asked the Executive Committee of the proposed sculling championship to tho race, ,to be decided on a date to get to work and make arrangements for suit the promoters. The league will recogniso the winner as the champion sculler of Australasia, one of the conditions being, that anyone must 'be ali lowed to row in the first race, which! must bo open to all competitors. Following the first race, the winner must accept a challenge. This once and for all disposes of the claim put forward by Hannan that he won the title of. Australasian champion' I wnen he so t the verdict over Alf Fenton (says tho Wanganui "Herald"). Such ti claim was untenable. It was absurd io suppose that any two scullers could arrange a match and declare it was for a championship title, which had never previously been recognised-as such. Such c V?i Ce iTras that Proposed by the New South Wales League is a different matter, anil is the only method by which such a title could be established, as any sculler m Australasia can compete in the event.. _It i s safe to say that if the event is arranged, and all the leading scullers of Australia and New Zealand compete there will be some fine racing before the title is finally won. It would be a fine thing if Paddon (and there is no reason why he should be barred), V?. StY V'-A sharPo, Goodsell, Hadfield, M Pevitt, Hannan. Arnst, Short. and Uip^ey were to compete: If W. Webb could only spare tho time to be a competitor it would add greatly to the interest, and it is fairly safe to say that w W *TUld to"day Vrove ablo to beat all tho -New Zealanders named, and prove i addons most dangerous rival. It is saw that a number of Australian scull's, champions and ex-champions, have intimated their intention of coming to I i\ew Zealand to take part in the first nice, winch it is proposed lo hold about the cue of May. It is also .said that H»dhold will be a competitor.

•A.HARD VICTORY

Murray Bridge are to be congratulated on coming throughi the Olympic test race at Adelaide (states an Adelaide writer).,. Ihoir rivuls proved eminently

fitting in every way, and . the victory I was of great merit. In a way it was a ' pity that the Olympic test race had to \ be postponed on Saturday afternoon, but there is always that risk where the Port River is concerned. Just before the time of starting the Wind veered, the sea began to get choppy, and very soon a race on it was ou£ of the question. The committee of management consulted the crews, and it was resolved that the contest take place on Sunday morning. A largo crowd assembled, in spite of the fact that there were no trains or trams. Murray Bridge once more demonstrated their superiority over all comers, and further justified their claim to be considered the champions of Australia. Though Murray Bridge led for about 100 yards, the Perth crew soon headed them and led for practically a mile. Then the long, steady swing oE the champions began to tell, and they steadily drew on to the "Gropers." The Victorians were, hard by. Two hundred yards from home the race was in the safe keeping of the "Cods," but they had to keep .going to ; the bitter end, and had but a canvas to spare from W.A. when the judge was reached. Victoria were not quite half a length off third, and Tasmania close up next. Murray Bridge will improve'with practice on this performance, which went to prove that the champions- can sprint and stay. The time, 6min 9£sec, was fair. The actual distance traversed was one mile and 430 yards.

MURRAY BRIDGE RECORD. '/

The, individual records of the' Murray Bridge crew which is to represent Australia at the Olympic Games are somewhat unusual. Starting from bow; to stroke they are as' follow (remarks an Australian paper): E. A. Gra«tz, 52 starts, Won 46 races,. including three intor-Stato and three champion eights, two champion fours, and three Yarra stewards' challenge cups. E. D. Thomas started in 36 races, won 31, and four1 inter-State and five champion eights and one champion four. .W. E. H. Jarvis started in 48 races; -won 44^-three in-ter-State and four champion eights, two champion fours, and two Yarra challenge cups. A. V. Scott started in 68 races; won 62—four inter-State and five champion eights, five champion fours, four Yarra challenge cups. A. C. Taueber started in 15 races, won 13—two interState and two champion eights. W- P. Pleiffer started in 80 races; won 73— four inter-State eights out of six, stroked 63 winning <jrews out of 67, won four champion eights, 'six champion ■ fours, and three Yarra challenge cups. F. M. Cummings, 29 starts; won 25—two in-. ter-State and three champion eights, two champion fours, one Yarra stewards' challenge cup. W. M. Sladden, started in 39 races; won 34—four inter-State and five champion eights, one champion iouv, and two stewards' challenge cups. And the coxswain, not to be outdone, has steered four inter-State eights for three wins, and four champion eights, • and, to cap it all, has won his senior status as ,an oarsman! The Murray Bridge Club was established in .1911, and since that date has 'been premier of South Australia for the years 1911-12-13-14 and 1915 (break owing to the war), 1919-20----21-22-23, Should they win the Olympic race, I tbink they will, from a performance point of yiow, stand alone in the world. It is an unprecedented thing for y, club to win the premiership in their first year and hold it for seven years. The name of their secretary has, perhaps, something to do with it—his name is Will Wynne. Satisfactory progress is being made with tho effort in South Australia to raise £2500 to finance the crew to Olympia,. At the latest £180Q-has been subscribed, and those ;n control are so certain that the'total will be forthcoming that they are now making £3000 their objective to provide a fow other necessaries for the crew. One of tho chief subscribers has been Sir Sidney Kidman, who began with a donation of £150, and then gave a bullock, which was sold on the bugler system and realised another £245.. It is intended to give the crew a public send-off a few days before they sail on Bth May.

NOT ANTICIPATED,

/As if nothing in the way of entertain/ment could x possibly be omitted, the crowd on the Phyllis Court side were suddenly electrified, at the finish of the last race of the day, by loud shouts all1 along the wall, where three agile pickpockets were leading a large field and racing for safety to the nearest trees (writes a spectator at Henley Regatta). Even more ear-piercing' had been the melodious greeting given a few • nights before to M. Boudin, the famous French oarsman, who lost . his heats to the Thames RiC. in the Grand and Stewards of 1893. I' believe it was his brother .who described the race for the pairs, (won by Kerrison and Lewis) in the immortal phrases: "I am exhaust, I row uo "more." M.' Boudin had .been made a member of Leander, and showed very fine form in his old club after dinner on the Thursday, when the welkin rang «*with ,French and English choruses in_ every key. Even more interesting to' every old lover of the regatta was the presence of that great oar and famous umpire, Mr. Frank Willun, whose son and grandson were..with him on the towpath to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of his first race' at Henley in an Eton crew. That same day he rowed over the course in a .scratch Leander eight. On the Monday before the regatta, Charles Ridley Carr, the oldest president of the 0.U.8.C now living, was out in a punt watching the practice with ono of his old pupils. Such veterans are an example to the age.

ROWING ELSEWHERE.

A very, interesting afternoon's sport was witnessed by a large gathering when Wendouree defeated Melbourne for the Victorian Champion Eights title and J. Barton won the championship sculls. The latter was a remarkable race. First a foul resulted soon after the start, when Cambridge, a former clubmate of the champion, M'Gorm, collided with .the latter. The race was again commenced, but Cambridge again fouled,' this time Barton. Cambridge was disqualified, and the race was recommenced from the fouling point-Further on M'Gorm raised his hand in appeal as Barton's oars came perilously close to him. But Barton drew slightly away, and M'Gorm ceased rowing. Barton eventually won by two lengths from Pettiser. Barton was Victorian champion for 1919-20, 1920-21, and 1921-22. Unusual interest was taken in the Senior Eights, chiefly amongst the two rival crews themselves, Wendouree and Melbourne. Wendouree won all the way. They look tho lead early, and maintained it to the entrance to the Canal, when Melbourne drew level with a very .line spurt, but Wendouree just as promptly shot ahead again. • Mercantile was third. Wendouree has a fine record this season, having won three Stats championships—the fours, pairs, and eights.