BOAT RACE THRILL FOR N.Z. COUPLE : RADIO-TELEVISION

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22917, 8 April 1949, Page 4

BOAT RACE THRILL FOR N.Z. COUPLE : RADIO-TELEVISION

Former travellers to the United Kingdom who have memories of witnessing a fractional part of the annual boatrace between Oxford and Cambridge University crews on the Thames—one of the major attractions of the early London season in each year—will regard with envy the experience of young New Zealanders who not only saw the crews flash past their vantage-points in this year’s close tussle, but also were able to follow the progress of the race by means of radio and television.

Writing from London on March 28, Mr. J. H. Robb, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Robb, Foveran, Manutuke, describes his own and other New Zealanders’ experiences.

He and his wife and infant son found a good spot about 200yds. from the Hammersmith Bridge, on the Mortlake side and took up their position there at 10.15 a.m„ more than an hour before the start of the race. This position was about half-way along the course, and when the crews passed Oxford was holding a slight lead with Cambridge gaining slowly. Excitement Ran High

The crowd was a huge one, but with the advantage of a sloping bank everyone in the vicinity had a good view. Excitement was such that when Mr. Robb’s son, held up to see the boats, pounded the bald pate of another spectator the victim was not even aware of it.

A portable radio set close by enabled the soectators there to hear a running description of the race from its start to its terrific finish, and the former Gisborne man felt that he had had a good day on the riverside when it was all over.

On the way home, however, he and his wife called at a friend’s home, and there met two other New Zealanders who had been even more fortunately placed. These visitors 'had been to another London home, near Hammersmith, and had watched the early, portion of the race on a television set. Then at the appropriate moment they had rushed down the lawn of the dwelling and witnessed the passing of the crews. Back again to the house, they saw the race to its finish by television.