OPENING OF THE ROWING SEASON.

Evening Star, Issue 11701, 6 October 1902, Page 3

OPENING OF THE ROWING SEASON.

The opening of the Otago Rowing \s*o- . ciahon s season on Saturday was favored with weather suitable in every way to the occasion. It was warm, bright, and calm, and consequently those in charge of the arrangements were able to"'work ont their programme without a hitch. .The various vessels m port courteously.ran.up-strings of bunting m honor of the occasion, and" this lent to the scene a festive air that made, the spectator fed that it was a time of genuine holiday enjoyment The public turned out in goodly, numbers, and altogether, we think, this season's opening was a thoroughly successful one. The Momington Brass Band helped things along with suitable selections. The procession started fiom near the Otago Rowing Club's sheds, wound round the steamers' basin, along by the Victoria wharf to the North End Club's shed, and back again. The marshal's launch, which led off, wAs occupied bv His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. A. Park),' Messrs John White (president of the Rowing Association), John Mill (vice-president of the Rowing Association'and president of the Port Chalmers Rowing Club). S. Solomon (president of the Dunedin Amateur Boating Club), A. Gascoigne {vico-president of the Otago Row big Association), W. J. Wilson (captain of,the Queen's Drive Boating Club), and others. A second launch, containing other representative persons, followed. Next came two Dunedin Xaval Brigade pinnaces, and one Tort Chalmers Naval Brigade pinnace ; then The D.A.B.C. and X.E.B.C. eight-oared bouts, and others of various descriptions from the. various clubs, according to the programme already published. The arrangement of colors made a pleasing effect. 'Hue "Dnrktown Brigade." composed of the usual boatloads of masquerading noodles, had a place in the procession, to the amuseJi.out of the young folks; and we mnst not forger, that veteran oarsmen Mr Provo, "ho 'culled about with an air of juvenility that must, have made, even some of tho "youngsters" envious. After the procession had " processed,'' the boats surrounded the marshal's launch in the centre of the basin, when The Mayer was called upon to fornvillv op-ii the season. His Worship said th.>t it afforded him great pleasure to be present to declare otticmlly the opening of the rowing season, and he could assure them it. was gratifying to know that they had made arrangements fcr such a perfect day.— (Laughter.) Those who had witnessed'the procession must have enjoyed the. sight verv much. 'ln the 'Glasgow Herald' of August he noticed that Or Campebll had given the Use of his steam yacht as the commodore yacht, and he ith? mayor) hoped the time would come when a similar thing might be possible here. At the Dumbarton regatta ex-Provost Habtie had acted as commodore, and tile judges had been Judge Henderson and Mr Robert hang, and it. was pleasing to see thai- nearly ten entries for the events were from amateurs. They were endeavoring to get rid of the professional clement, which lie (the mayor; understood had been completely accomplished here, and made for proper racing. They would therefore see that at Home the civic bodies were taking an interest iu aquatics, as they to do, and he (Mr Park) had associated with him twelve councillors who were enthusiastic in supporting sport-, recreation, and athletics. While they occupied the position they did he was satisfied that they would assist in ever/ possible way in advancing athletics, and so help the rising treneration. He had nothing further to add except to declare, the season 1902-03 open, and he trusted that they might experience and enjoy such weather as they had had that day, both for practice and for their .rowing events. He called upon them to give three cheers for the King. After a round of cheering, Mr John Mill also spoke. He expressed Ins personal interest- in rowing matters, and gave oarsmen some wholesome advice about training, and eulogised the stamp of men Jioduced by Otago. More cheers followed, and then Mr John White, president of the Assueiation, spoke of the debt of gratitude to the I nion Steam Ship Company for having lent them their steam launches," and to Cap" tain Strang for being present in person. Mr Mills had desired him (Mr White) to say that he very mach regretted he conld , not, be present at the opening, and Mr Holdsworth desired the same to be said regarding himself. If they could have been with them they would. Mr White then dismissed the crews to their various parties, three cheers being given at the conclusion . of his lemarks.

Captain Strang spoke, expressing the Tvilhngncss of the Union Company to assist on snch occasions.

The various clubs entertained their friends at afternoon tea when the procession was over. The Otago Rowing Glub had obtained from 11,0 Harbor Board the use of their floods shed on the Jetty street wharf, and •there they were able to entertaiu a- large number of guests. We are asked to state thai, on Saturday the North End Boating <-lub hoisted their new flag- for the first lime, and after the procession of boats cn--I.i rained at afternoon tea about 200 friends .'Hid member.-;. Mr De Lautours orchestra was m attendance"; and plaved several selections in good style. A couple of scratch ieeos brought, a successful afternoon to a close.

The D.A.B.s gave .a concert in their shed, w.d gave t h e j r friends a. jolly time. Here .His Worship the Mayor announced that he would be pleased to present, the club with a trophy of the value of £2 2s for a pairoared race, to be contested in February. He would like the contest to take place in the early hours of the morning, as that was the only time he had to spare to witness the race—(Applause.) Mr Solomon (president of the club) returned thanks to His Worship on behalf of the club for the tropin-, and remarked that if the mayor would intimate the hour of the morning he would be on his road home—daughter)—the race would be rowed accordingly.—(Laughter i'.ml applause.) In the evening a social and dunce was held.

DtNEDIN AMATEUR BOATING CLUB. The.following crews have been picked to row in the President's Fours (for four gold medals presented by Mr 8. Solomon) : /S. Abrim (stroke), C. Smith, C. Allen, E. llollison. T. Bond (stroke). J. M'Lachlan, F. Anderson, George Jackson. J. Brown (stroke), J. Ifooney, F. Tickerv, JL Colgan. R. L. Caldow (stroke), W. Robertson. W(f Spray, J,. Forrester. T. J. Kdwsrds (stroke). P. Williams, A. J. Ecgar. F. A. Fothergill.' D. J Fraser (stroke), P. Scarfe, D. Gain, G. Lochhead. C. Harding (stroke). M. Brettell, W. F. Ljon, S. B. Poopelwell. B. Marshall (stroke), E. Mee, J. Morrison, J. Dowland. •). Mitchell (stroke), A. Hardman, Georjre Merlon, A. Russell. W. M'Donald (stroke), G. Budge, George Crawford, P. Carter. ° <;. Osborn (stroke), 11. Paton, W, Napulah, L. .Schuleuburg. i). Paterson (stroke), L. Edwards, V. Burtoi:. J. Crawford. A. Rodie (stroke), B. Brown, W. D. Wilson, J. >". Brown. •). A. Stables (stroke). J." Wilson, P. J Israel. J. L. Boyd. A. Sutherla id"(stroke), 11. J. Stephens, W. Anderson. U. Blackie. W. \Vi!h,-lmsou (stroke), J. Broadfoot, A. *-'. hie. rl. Naylor. W- TT Va i. 23 <st ™ l ™)> A. Hoare, W. J. Beesen. H. Cowcll. As there is a larger programme than usual, only three weeks are allowed to tram. sc> that crews will have to start training light away.