AQUATIC.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2382, 21 November 1881, Page 3

AQUATIC.

CANTERBURY ROWING CLUB.

The opening races of the Canterbury Rowing Club took place on Saturday, before a fair number of spectators. These were the Senior Double Sculls and Maiden Pours, and, considering the limited time the crews had for practice, the rowing was better than might be expected. None of the finishes were close, but some very hard rowing took place in some of the heats, more particularly in the final for the Double Sculls, when the favorites, Ollivier and Boulton, after rowing clear away from their opponents. Hay and Grierson, were gradually caught up and fairly beaten by some lengths. The Double Sculls brought four crows to the post, two of whom were light and two heavy weights. The former had no show whatever in the heavy boats, being beaten in each case from the start. The Maiden Pours had three crews to start for the prizes, the members of whom, with the exception of the strokes, had never raced before. They all, however, pulled gamely, if not in good form, and some of them with teaching and practice will make fair oars. Lees’ crew, the favorites, after beating Lake’s in the first heat, suffered defeat from DeOastro and his men, who pulled a fine long stroke,, and appeared in good condition. The bow of Lees’ boat was evidently a very new chum at rowing, but he did his best, as did the other members of the crew, Mr Prank Pavitt officiated as starter and umpire in his usual efficient manner, and considering the number of heats, the races were got over in good time. The heats were rowed as follows : Senior Double Sculls. First Heat. Cygnet, North Bank. Swan, South Bank. J. O. Jones, stroke J, Hay, stroke J. R. Evans, bow J. Grierson J, Laurie, cox. Dunnage, jnnr., cox. The boats got away together, but the heavy weights at once went to the front, and keeping their position, easily won by three clear lengths. Second Heat. Cygnet, North Bank. Swan, South Bank. C. B. Dobson, stroke L. M. Ollivier, stroke B. MoDongall E. M. Bonlton J. Lanrie, cox. Dunnage, junr., cox. Ollivier at once went off with a lead, and in spite of the efforts of Dobson, well backed up by his cox, was never caught, and came in first by a length clear. Final Heat. Cygnet, North Bank. Swan, South Bank.J J. Hay, stroke L. M. Ollivier, stroke J. Grierson E. M. Bonlton J. Laurie, cox. Dunnage, junr,, cox. Ollivier, rowing a fast and powerful stroke, rushed to the front at the first fifty yards. At the bend above Butterfield’s he was four lengths to the good, but from there to the tannery Hay reduced the lead by a couple of lengths, and rowing steadily and strongly, got the bow of his boat level with the stern of Ollivier’s at the torn at Pratt’s. Coming up the reach from Pratt’s Hay gradually crept up, and when half way up he called on bis bow for a spurt, which placed them half a length ahead of Ollivier. At Oowlishaw’s Hay led by a clear length, and still further increased his lead coming up to the bridge. After passing the bridge Ollivier quickened up [and tried to catch bis opponent, but [in vain, as Hay maintained his advantage and won a good race by two clear lengths. Maiden Foars. Tyne, North Bank. Electric, South Bank. A. Lees, stroke O, Lake, stroke C. Inglis C. Edgar H. WogstafE R. Millton A. Monntfort R. Hart Lees was quickest away and got round Butterfield’s corner a length in advance. Increasing slowly his lead he was two lengths in front at Pratt’s corner, after rounding which Lake made a determined effort to get up to him, but Lees and his crew, rowing steadily, kept in front, and in spite of another effort of Lake’s at Oowlishaw’s, won by two clear lengths.

Final Heat. Tyne, North. Electric, South. W. DeCastro, stroke A. Lees, stroke H. Wansey C. Inglis F. W. Anderson H. Wagstaff J. P. Wright A. Mountfort Both boats got well away, and for the first hundred yards kept together. Da Castro then began to draw slowly ahead, and led at Butterfield’s by over half-a-length. Dees tried hard at the turn to get level, but failed, though his men worked well with him. From Butterfield's to Pratt’s De Castro drew clear, and, rowing a long steady stroke, gradually rowed away from Dees, winning easily by half-a-dozen lengths. The steering was very good during the day, but the river was very low, and weeds plentiful. The crews for the President’s Cup, to be rowed on the 10th December, were drawn for after the races, and are as follows:

First Heat. Ollivier Grierson Do Castro Hay McDoagall Smith Allison Jones Second Heat. Dobson Duncan Bonlton Lees Lake Edgar Evans Dnnsford

The club intends to take part in the Akaroa regatta on the 16th December, and will send crows for the pairs and double sculls. Members who wish to represent the club should therefore send in their names to the captain.