AQUATIC NOTES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10613, 23 March 1895, Page 6

AQUATIC NOTES.

[BY JASON IN “ CANTERBURY TIMES.”]

The Picton Club has received its convertible double-scull and pair-oar shell from Norton, who reports that ha is building a similar boat for tho Auckland Club. The Blenheim crew, I understand, took up their abode at Picton this week, their intention being to have a month's training over the Championship course. The men seem very earnest, and as I know three of them to he excellent oarsmen, they should have a good chance of winning the fours. The Wairewa Boating Club, Little Eiver, will sand representatives to the championship regatta to he rowed at Picton on Easter Monday. S. Nutt (bow), J. Jones, W. Eeed and 0. Chapman will compete in the Championship Fours, while Eesd and Chapman will row in the Champion Doable Sculls and Pairs, and Chapman in the Champion Sculls. The Champion Fours this season will bring together a splendid lot of crews. Eowing has gone ahead very rapidly this last three or four seasons, the competitors are mainly men of grand physique, incessant coaching baa produced lasting results, and the training is carried out on a better system than formerly. When I give a mental look at the men I saw competing last season, and know the great desire of some to achieve success this year, I recognise the difficulty of winning and what an honour it is to capture the blue ribbon of the aquatic world in Maoriland. I believe that only two clubs wrote to the Picton Regatta Committee with reference to tho entrance fees. The silence of other intending competing clubs on this matter must not be taken as an intimation that the fees met with their approval, but is a strong pointer to the small amount of interest shown by clubs in affairs outside their immediate circle. I doubt not that seven-eighths of the clubs which intend being represented at the regatta, regarded the original fees as decidedly high, but seemingly it did not occur to them to point this out. Under tho circumstances the committee acted in n most generous spirit in listening to the plea of tho two clubs referred to, and the general body of tho clubs have got a concession they did not deserve for the apathy they displayed over the matter.

I take the following from the Marlborough Weekly Neivs :—lf tho Seymour crew does not win the big event at the Championship Regatta it will not be for want of faith in their powers on the part of the local aquatic circle. Thrilling descriptions are given as to how the three brothers and cheir colleague Barton can nearly lift the boat out of'the water, break tho back of their coxswain by the concussion of their pace, etc. The manner in which Barton, who is comparatively a tyro ia matters aquatic, ia coached is very original and rather funny, albeit there ia a strain about it of grim earnestness which proves the firm determination of the crew to win the race if possible. Tho crew just now reside inland, some distance away from any means of water practice. A structure supposed to represent a boat has been rigged up and placed ever a pool of water ; and seated in this Barton plies his oar, in dummy fashion, regularly, every day.

Prom all accounts the field for the Champion Fours is likely to be a best on record. According to report, the following clubs will be represented:—Auckland, St George (Auckland), Wanganui Union, Wellington (two crews), Star, Nelson, Blenheim, Picton, Lyttelton, Wairewa, Canterbury, Christchurch Union and Queen’s Drive (Dunedin), This totals fourteen, but I do not expect that number will start, though the entry from ail the above may be recoivad. The starter will have all his work cat out to get such a field away in respectable order; indeed, I do not think

ono man capable of starting it on even terms, therefore it will be necessary to appoint an assistant. Last year, I remember, when only eight craws went to the post, that Mr Batkin's voice was almost inaudible on the Duco, which held a position in the rear of and between the fifth and sixth boate. Tho Picfcon Eegatta Committee has arranged the championship programme aa follows: 1. Junior Batswing Fours. First prize, £8; second prize, £2. Entrance, 10s. Course, one mile and a half. To start at 10.30 a.m. 2. Champion Fours. —First prize, £SO; second prize, £10; third prize, £5. Entrance, £3 ss. Course, two miles. To start at 11.30 a.m. 3. Maiden Fours. —First prize, £8; second prize, £2. Entrance, 10s. Course, one mile and a half. To start at 12.15 p.m. 4. Champion Pairs, —First prize, £l2; second prize, £2. Entrance, 15s. Course, one mile and a half. To start at 1 p.m. 5. Junior Outrigged Fours. —First prize, £l2; second prize, £3. Entrance, 16s. Course, one mile and a half. To start at 1.45 p.m. 6. Champion Sculls. —First prize, £10; second prize, £2. Entrance, 12s 6d. Course, one mile and ' a half. To start at 2.30 p.m. 7. Senior Batswing Fours.—First prize, £ls; second prize, £4. Entrance, 20s. Course, two miles. To start at 3.15 p.m. 8. Champion Double Sculls. —First prize, £l2; second prize, £2. Entrance, 15s. Course, one mile and a half. To start at 4 p.m. 9. Senior Clinker Fours.—First prize, £10; second prize, £2. Entrance, 12s. Course, two miles. To start at 4.45 x>.m.

It will be noticed that the last*, four events are open to seniors, and of these two are Championships. As Auckland, Picton and Blenheim will moat likely desire to compete in the Batewing Races as well as the Champion Double Sculls, they will have to sacrifice one of the events. I shall be curious to see which it will be, for I notice that the three clubs mentioned asked to have the Batswing Eacea retained on the programme. Of course, if the events are got off punctually, it will be possible to row in the two races, but the risk of strain on a man’s constitution is not worth such an action.

The annual race between representatives of Oxford and Cambridge is set down for March 80.

A meeting of gentlemen interested in the promotion of a sculling handicap, with a view to reviving interest in professional sculling, was held in Sydney on March 2, when the following resolution was carried unanimously: " That a rowing contest in beat and best boats, to be called the Clyde River Sculling Handicap, be rowed at Nelligan, upon a date in May next, to be fixed by the. editor of the Sydney Referee , distance two and a half miles j first prize £25, second .£lO, third £5, entrance fee five per cent on first money.” If funds warrant it a Consolation Race for beaten men will be added. It is understood that Neilson, Staubury, Blair, Wray (2), and an unknown from New Zealand are certain contestants. I wonder who the New Zealander can be?.-