ROWING

Evening Star, Issue 19522, 1 April 1927, Page 13

ROWING

[By Dark Blue.]

The last regatta of the season will take place at Queenstown on Easter Saturday, April 16. Crews from Dunedin, Fort Chalmers, Oamaru, and Southland will take part, and competition should bo very keen, ns oarsmen must have benefited from the experience in various regattas during the season.

It is a good thing for those in every sport that there are enthusiasts to control its running. The participation M so many crews in the regatta at l oit Chalmers on Anniversary Day, .the worst day wo had had for a long time, spoke volumes for the enthusiasm of the rowers; but perhaps more credit was due to those controlling the tegatta under such boisterous weather conditions. The gentleman who hnd the most unpleasant job of rII vas the starter, Mr E. V. Fairbnirn, who all afternoon was out in a launch in the rain and cold sending the crews away in the various races. The Otago Rowing Association decided the other night to withdraw from the annual contest for the Edmond Shield between crews representative of Otago and Southland. The chief reason for this decision is that the O.R.A. is not a wealthy financial body, and it does not think the biennia! outlay of from £2O to £25 entailed in sending a crew to Southland is warranted by any benefits which accrue from this race. Further, the Edmond Shield race is a clinker-boat race, and it seems hardly fair- that the crew which has been training in a best-and-hest boat for the senior fours race should have to row in a clinker in the other race. In this way the Edmond Shield contest has caused too much confusion in regatta programmes, it is anticipated that Southland will take the same view of the matter as Otago. . , There will lie no nterprovincial eight-oar races this season (says the ‘Dominion’), as it is becoming tm late. Next year the events will be held probably in Auckland, as ihe donor of a gold cup for competition, Mr Ualiburton Johnson, of Auckland, desires the first of the races to be Md there, so that ho may present the cup personally. Canterbury asked ihat tno events be held ;n that province, probably at Corcair Bay; but. the New Zealand Association has received similar requests from Auckland and Wanganui. When the venue is decided upon consideration will have to be given <0 the request of the donor of the gold The Otago four further added to their laurels by again annexing the championship. . As well as giving an attractive exhibition of rowing, they put up a splendid performance and fully deserved their win (says the ‘ Dominion’). There were many who confidently expected they would retain their title, while there were others who gave Waitemata a chance. Waitemata had been training in the Sounds for a fortnight prior to the regatta, and, hi fact, at one time during the race their chances of success appeared particularly bright. The general opinion seemed to be that Wendoureo and Waitemata would have to fight it out for second place. Wendoureo, however, never really gave any serious opposition in the struggle for first place, and, although they were in fourth position 1 at the finish, they were a good distance behind Union in third place. The Otago crew gave a fine record and one which oarsmen throughout the dominion are proud of. Following is the description of the Wellington ‘ Post’s ’ representative of the champion fours race won by Otago:—“By the time the men had settled down to the long two-mile pull Otago were leading slightly, with Wcndoureo and Waitemata on even terms. This position was maintained for about a quarter of a mile, when Union began to come through from the rear of the field. Meanwhile, Hamilton, who were right, on the outside, and were left at the start, had moved up. The twoWairau crews and Picton were not in the samo class as the others, and soon began to fall behind. At Mabel Island Waitemata, who had started well, were keeping up to the front, and were then about a length behind Otago, who were leading. Union were half a length betiind Waitemata, Hamilton coming next on even terms with Wendouree. Picton and Wnirau were well behind. One mile from home Otago and Waitemata had drawn well ahead of the “ field,” and it was seen that the race would be strenuously fought between those crows. It was doubtful then if Otawo hold a lead at all, Wendouree and'Hnmilton wore about three lengths behind the lenders, with Wairau No. 1 next. Half a mile from the finishing post Union quickened, and drew up to within a length of Waitemata. Otago moved up a little, and the race became exciting, when it looked very much as though Waitemata were going to pass Otago. Entering into the last 200yds stretch Otago and Waitemata were level, and the other crews followed in the following order:—Union, Wondouree, Hamilton, Wairau, and Picton. Waitemata started to overtake the men, when the latter quickened” with a burst of speed that astonished the spectators and crossed the lino half a length to spare. Waitemata made a groat effqrfc to lessen the distance. Wanganui Union put in a determined finish, and just beat their old rivals, Wendouree, who wore fourth. Hamilton finished fifth, the Mairau crews coining next, followed by Picton. Time, llmin 40sec.” . The description in the Marlborough ‘Express’ reads After, considerable delay eight crows were sent away to a most uneven start in the champion folirs. Otago hopped out at forty to the minute, followed by Waitemata and Wendouree. At Mabel . Island Otago had improved their position, and Union (.Wanganui) had come into the picture. The first mile was cut nut in nniin 45scc, all crews having settled to their work and rowing a much steadier stroke of thirty-two-thirty-four. Oil Shelly Beach Waitemata appeared to have headed Otago. Union wore closing up, while W’endoureo appeared to be” sagging. Interest* became keen .as the crews approached the swimming baths. Otago brightened up their stroke, which gave thorn the lead a o-ain, while Waitemata hung on eamolv. In the final sprint for homo Union” threw out a good challenge, which Waitemata and Otago accepted, the result being Otago first by a length from Waitemata, and Union a good third, one and a-half lengths away. Wendouree rowed into fourth place. The time, 11.40, all things considered, was very good.” It is clear from the above accounts that Otago’s win was a moro meritorious one than the Press Association account stated. By the association Otago’s win was said to bo by a canvas, and the crew’s style was adversely criticised. Neither of these statements is borne out by the reports in three or four newspapers whose own representatives were at the Picton regatta. The New Zealand championship regatta, which was held at Picton on Saturday, must rank as one of the most successful regattas yet held under the auspices of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association , (says the rowing writer of the Wellington ‘Post’). Not only‘from the point of view of entries was the fixture such a success, but the standard of rowing shown was of the highest. Competition was keen, and nearly. every x’ace was fought to a close finish. Crews representative of clubs from Auckland to Dunedin competed, and in point of view of the quality of the material in the boats the 1927 championships have much to mark them, as being noteworthy.

Mr V/. Duggan, ivho rowed for the Union Club at the Akaroa regatta this reason, is celebrating big fiftieth birth-

day. That a rower of this ago should still be inclined to take an active oar is probably a record for. the dominion. Akaroa was doubtless his last appearance in tho Union four-oar crew. Ihfl club will join with him in celebrating his birthdav at the closing of tho club s season. Mr Duggan has been a member of the Union Club tor a great number of years. Ho has rowed m various classes of races, and has. repicsented his club at championship and other outside regattas. One of Ins outstanding wins was the pair-oar championship of New Zealand, and on tuo occasions he came second in the tomoar championship event. In this ho was associated with Messrs J- 1 O’Brien, and H. R. Mansfield, lor many years Mr Duggan has given his services to The Union Club Committee and the Christchurch Regatta Club and the Canterbury-Rowing Association. Ho has, rowing for Union, sons and relatives who have P L M et | prominent part in the success of tlio club’s crews for two or three seaso -• Tho Wright Memorial double semis of the Otago Rowing Club were derided last Saturday, with tho following results :—First heat: J. U. Browno (str), H. Lawless beat A. A. Perry 1 (str), 1. .Maclean. Second boat: E. -G. Cooper (str). C. V. Bcuzoni wore beaten by J. Merges (str), E. W. Pickford Tmrd heat: S. J. Anderson (str), A. R. Jobnstono beat J. Joyce (str), B. D. Allai . Semi-finals: J. H. Browne (str), H. Lawless beat J. Werges (str), 15 \V. Pickfonl. Won by half a longtlT. A very close race. S. J. Anderson (str), A. R. Johnstone, a bye. I'inal: J. HBrowno (str). 11. Lawless beat S.-l. Anderson (str), A. R. Johnstone. Mon by two lengths. ' Joe Browno, as the above results show, must be . back to form. He started three times anil won on each occasion. Joe’s success was a popular To-morrow the Ladies’ Challenge Cup four-oared race of the Otago Club will bo held. This cup is much sought after each year. It is a very handsome one, which was presented to tho club many years ago by the lady supporters, who organised a big bazaar in aid of tao club funds. Tlio committee hopes to see a bi,g muster of members at tho shed for this event. On Saturday, April 9, the Otago Club will row tho Wilson Cup four-oared race. Four miniature cups are given to the crew which wins this race, the lato Mr Leslie Wilson, a president and old member, having arranged, that after Ins death these cups would still be given to the winning crew in his memory. The race is for regatta crews, and those at present in training for tlio Queenstown regatta' will take part. The race is a sealed handicap, over a two-raile course, and the start will be made from Johnston’S.

The Otago Rowing Club will be represented at the Queenstown regatta on Easter Saturday by the following crews: —Maiden fours: H. Lawless (str), A. A. Perry, R. Allan, E. W. Pickford. Maiden double sculls: J. Joyce (str), H. Brown. Maiden double pairs: id. Lawless (str), - -E, w. Pickford. Junior iciurs: A. R. Johnstone (str), 13. G. Cooper, J. Henderson, C. Semple. Junior double sculls: A. A. Perry (flUt),

A. R. Johnstone. Junior pairs: A. R. Johnstone (str), E. G. Cooper. Youths fours: P. I. Maclean (str), C. V. Benzom, K. J. Barclay, W. M. Beveridge. Youths’ double sculls: R._ Allan (str), W. M. Beveridge. Youths pairs: P. I. Maclean tstr), C. V, Benzoni. . Otago Club will be represented in every race at Queenstown except tne senior fours and the senior pairs. It is a matter for regret that the club" s champion four is not taking part, but it has nad a very strenuous season. The stroke (F. Brough) will be at Queenstown and will represent the club in the senior Vouble sculls with the veteran sculler Jack M‘Grath. About four years ago M'Grath and M. H. Priest, two veterans, won the senior double sculls at Queenstown.^ Accommodation has been secured for TTTe Otago Club representatives at Queenstown at the Mountaineer Hotel, Eureka House, and Palmyra House, Hie crews for Queenstown are at present training regularly and should give a good account of themselves.