AQUATICS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5438, 19 July 1879, Page 3

AQUATICS.

Sir, — Will you allow me to say a few words relative to boating in Napier. Having during the last 17 years (spent in Auckland and Christchurch) been the champion of the four-oars and sculling, and having made rowing my special study, I fancy I know a. little about it. • Some months ago 1 was kindly invited by the captain of the Napier Club (Mr Bogle) to be present at their opening day, and I must say I was pleased at their style, which was very fair, considering the boat they used, which is a splendid inrigger ; but in my opinion they are wrong in their choice of boats, which are both of the same sort, and more suited to the heavy, powerful working man, who has but little practice, and generally wins by sheer strength. The one best suited for gentlemen rowers is the outrigger, which requires skill raoro than strength, but which is only acquired by practice ; at any rate one of the sort they have would be quite sufficient for practice. Since the opening day I have been anxiously looking for some notice of a regatta, but in vain. Surely Napier is greatly behind other parts. Soaie say, "We have no course," but " where there's a will there's a way." Why, in Christchurch, on the* Avon, they race where they have scarcely room for two abreast. Then, as regards sailing — At Lyttelton, where I had the honor of taking a prominent part on board the pretty little yacht Secret, they are constantly having regattas. Why not at Napier as well aa at Lyttelton 1 Look around ; have we not the making of a fine shipping port and sailing ground 1 Let us give up that lagoon to the natives and their canoes, and have a harbor •of our own, where pleasure-seekers could enjoy themselves and money-makers add to their pile. — I am, &c, Thomas Bakron. Takapau, July 17, 1879.