AQUATIC.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCV, Issue 10924, 6 April 1896, Page 5

AQUATIC.

CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA. [Per Press Association.] PICTON, April 4. When tho morning broke the prospects of the success of the first day’s racing in connection with the Annual Championship Regatta, held, under the auspices of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, wore tho reverse of cheerful. The wind was blowing hard from the south-east, accompanied by drenching rain, and grave doubts wore entertained as to whether racing boats would bo able to face the heavy sea which was running off Mabel Island. Towards noon, however, the wind lulled considerably, and the thick rain beat down what little sea remained. The committee then mot and decided to carry out the programme as arranged. The bad weather interfered considerably with tho attendance of tho public, and the excursion train from Blenheim was very poorly patronised. Unless fine weather is experienced on Monday, the finances of the local Regatta Committee will be severely strained to meet all liabilities. The race for the Maiden Pours was a treat to witness. The Canterbury men were, if anything, favourites, but the weight and strength of the Picton crew told in the last half-mile, and they got home rather comfortably at the finish by two lengths. Canterbury and Wellington made a ding-dong go of it all the way. Wellington were leading when the gun was fired for first boat past the post, but Canterbury got the last stroke in and secured the verdict by two feet. The Junior Pairs showed only ordinary racing. Cowlishaw and Daly wore strong favourites for the Champion Pairs, and they won as they liked, the others forming a very long procession. Canterbury steered magnificently, and had a lot in them at tho finish, which probably accounts for the large difference in the time as compared with last year’s event. Chapman and Reed rowed a game race, but the Seymour Brothers were apparently short of practice in the boat. The Junior Pours brought out fiJc crews, but, contrary to expectation, the struggle at the finish was confined to two boats. Mr E. C. Batkin acted as starter, and in every instance his efforts were eminently successful. Messrs M. J. Kilgour and H. P. Logan carried out the duties of judges and gave every satisfaction, as also did Mr A. G. Johnson as umpire. The Torea acted as umpire’s steamer, and showed far more pace than she did in a similar capacity last year, when she was useless as a medium by which to view the various contests. The following are detailed results of the day’s racing:— MAIDEN CLINKER FOURS.—Prizes £6 and £2. One mile and a half. Picton Bowing Club—H. Western, bow; A.

western, a; aa, oaiuii, 05 v/. x/^uciiv-Ao, stroke; Bartlett, cor 1 Canterbury Bowing Club 2 Wellington Bowing Club 3 This was a magnificent; race. Shortly after the start Picton dropped astern, and in half a mile were fully three lengths behind the other two boats, which were on even terms. When three-quarters of a mile had been covered .Picton began to, draw up, and a furlong from home the three boats were leveL Picton had the best of the struggle and won by two lengths, Canterbury and Wellington fighting out a desperate finish, which resulted in favour of the southerners by two feet. All crows were enthusiastically cheered for their fine racing. Time—llmin 4<ssec. JUNIOR CLINKER PAIRS (rowed in heats of two crews each). —Prizes £6 and £2. One mile. Piest Round. ' First heat. Star Boating Club {Wellington)—F. Hume, bow; E. B. Trimnell, stroke; W. Brown, cox ••• 1 Nelson Rowing Club—C. Eedworth, bow; W. Tomlinson, stroke; Gully, cox... ... m2 Won easily. Second heat. Wellington Rowing Club—W. Perry, bow; E. P. Coady, stroke ; Tingey, cox 1 Star Boating Club (Wellington)—F. Hume, bow; G. C. Crawford, stroke; Warren, cox ... 2 Won rather easily, after a much faster raee than the first heat. The Wellington Club’s representatives (A. M’Laren bow and A. Hill stroke) were drawn for the third heat against Picton (A. Smith bow, C. Frederick stroke), but in face of the gruelling they had received in the Maiden Fours, the former allowed the heat to go by default. Nelson Eowing Club (F. Washbourne bow and E. E. Law stroke) drew the bye in the second round, which will be rowed early on Monday. Trimnell (Star) meets Low (Nelson), and Coady ■ (Wellington) rows Fredericks (Picton). CHAMPION PAlßS.—Prizes £l3 and £2. One mile and a half. Canterbury Eowing Club—J. Y. Daly, bow; F, I. Cowlisbaw, stroke ... ...' 1 Wairewa Eowing Club —W. Reed, bow ; C. Chapman, stroke 2 Blenheim Eowing Club—F. Seymour, how; G. Seymour, stroke 3 Wellington Rowing Club—J, M’Kee, bow; A. Sargeaut, stroke ... 4 Star Boating Club (Wellington)—W. E, Bendall, bow ; A. W. Newton, stroke 5 This event was rowed in the face of a drenching and bitterly cold rain, but the water was perfect. Blenheim were quickest off the mark, but in fifty yards Canterbury took the lead, and, steering a splendid course, kept in the van to the finish, winning by two lengths. Blenheim held second position for about half-a-mile, when Chapman and Eeed displaced them and went in chase of the leaders, but Canterbury were plainly rowing well within themselves. In the last quarter-mile Eeed caught a bad crab, but the mishap had no effect on the result. Blenheim finished about eight lengths behind Wairewa. There was fully a dozen lengths between Blenheim and Wellington, and even a greater distance between Wellington and Star. Blenheim, Wellington and Star steered most erratically, the two firstnamed being the chief offenders. The time was lOmin 4Csec, which is Imin Wsec slower than the time of Crosbio; and Samuels in the same event last year. JUNIOR OUTRIGGER FOURS.—Prizes £l2 and £3. One mile and a half.

Pictoa Bowing Club—C. Orilil), bow; A, Western, 2; C. Western, 3; G. Kenny, stroke ; A. Card, cox 1 Star Bowing Club (Wellington) 2 Canterbury Bowing Club 3 Nelson Bowing Club 4 Wellington Bowing Club 5 Nelson and Wellington were outpaced after about half a mile had been covered, and Canterbury were also dropping astern, leaving Stars and Pieton to fight out the finish. Another ding-dong race was witnessed, hut the Pieton men had better staying powers, and won by half a length. Crawford rowed a fine race, and stuck gamely to his work throughout. Canterbury were about three lengths away third, and Nelson were several lengths behind Canterbury ; Wellington slowed down as they neared the wharf. The Star crew were very late in leaving the skids, and had to go down to the start-ing-post at a good pace, which must have taken a lot out of the men. The Pieton crow showed vastly improved form since their appearance at the New Year’s Day regatta, and their win was naturally very popular. Time—lOmin 42sec, as compared with ifimin 42sec last year. April 5.

During the night the wind shifted round to the north, and the rain cleared off, with the result that splendid weather was experienced to day and promises to continue so over to-morrow. The crews engaged in to-morrow’s events had a final spin to-day, the water being as smooth as could be desired. The disappointing exhibition given by Seymour Brothers in the Champion Pairs has had the effect of lowering the Blenheim crew in public estimation, and Queen’s Drive will start favourites. Wanganui Union have put in good work here, and the general impression is that they will again row well forward. Kichardson, coach of the Blenheim crew, is confident of the ability of Ms men to pull oft’ the event. The chances of Wellington and Star are not seriously

considered. In the event of ail the members of the winning crew being unable to go to Australia it is thought that tme selection committee will have some dimculty in picking a crew. M’Grath, who xs favourite for the Champion Sculls, would be able to go to Australia. Chapman and Reid (Wairewa) are expected to win the Champion Double Sculls, Queens Drive the Senior 1 Clinker Pours, Well in gton the Ladies’ Plate and Picton tha Junior Pair - . The Championship Pours will be rowed about twelve o’clock just after the arrival of tho excursion steamers from Wellington.

AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION. PICTON, August 5. The special meeting of delegates to the Now Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, which was held last evening, occupied nearly five hours. There was a large attendance, only a few of the smaller clubs being unrepresented. Mr John Duncan, of Picton, occupied the chair. The proposals in regard to the intercolonial four-oared and sculling contests were discussed at great length. On the motion of Mr Biss (North Shore Rowing Club), seconded by Mr Connolly (Blenheim), it was unanimously resolved —■ “That a crew and sculler representing the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association be sent to Sydney to compete in the contests for the amateur fonr-oar and sculling championships of Australasia.” Considerable difference of opinion existed as to the appointment of a delegate to represent the New Zealand Association at the conference of delegates from the various Australasian Associations, to be held at Sydney in May, and the appointment of a manager of the New Zealand crew. The matter of expense entered largely into the question, particularly as the honorary Secretary informed the meeting that subscriptions were falling short of expectations, and the sujn of .£3O was still required to meet the expenses .of the crew and a sculler. Mr Field (Star Boating Club) moved—“ That this Association approves of the proposal of the New South Wales Rowing Association to hold a conference of delegates from the various Australasian Rowing Associations, and appoints as its delegates Messrs A. S. Biss and E. D. Hoben” After a long discussion, the motion was carried by a large majority, on the understanding that if funds did not warrant it Mr Biss’s expenses would not be paid by the Association.

Mr A. G. Johnson (Timaru Eowing Club) moved—“ That no manager be appointed, and that the money to be expended by the crew and sculler be handed by the secretary of the Eowing Association to the secretary of the respective clubs, the latter to be responsible for disbursements by the club’s representatives during the tour.” This was agreed to almost unanimously. The question of the selection of the New Zealandrepresentatives provoked akeen discussion. With regard to the Blenheim. Eowing Club’s motion, “That the winner of the Championship Fours on Easter Mour day be sent to represent the colony,” it was pointed out that if this were carried no provision was made in the case of a crew securing a win by accident to other boats, when, perhaps, one of the weakest crews in the race would have to be sent, as the motion gave the Association no other choice. Proposals to have combination four’s and admit challenges found very little favour, the general opinion being that the crews competing on Monday would be the strongest combinationsobtainabl&nnder present circumstances and surroundings. Eventually Mr Pell (Picton Eowing Club) and Mr Field (Star) moved as an amend-* ment to the Blenheim Club’s motion — “That the question of the selection of representative fours be left to a Select Committee, consisting of Messrs J. Yoeman (Queen’s Drive Club', G. B. Eichardson (Blenheim), M. Kogan (Wanganui Union), N. Galbraith (Star) and jL J. Bidhop (Wellington). It was understood that this committee would meet immediately after the Fours were rowed on Monday, The feeling of the meeting was that, in the event of the raee being fairly rowed and won, the winners should be selected to represent the colony. On a division, the amendment was carried by 37 votesMo

18. The question of the selection of a representative sculler was left to the same committee. „ A motion by the Napier Eowing Club that interprovincial fours should be instituted at future championship regattas and that the winning crew should be sent to Australia to compete in the intercolonial fours lapsed for want of a seconder. With regard to instructions to delegates at the conference it was decided practically to leave them a free hand, but recommendations were carried, (1) urging them to refuse to accept any terms for future contests which would bar manual labour amateurs and (2) asking them to support the distance for future contests being fixed at three miles. . On the motion of the Napier Club the Council of the Association was instructed to draw up a schedule of measurements of a convertible double sculler and pair oar clinker boat suitable for club work or for regattas. Mr Wilson (Queen’s Drive), spoke very strongly in favour of the reinstatement of Palamountain, the southern sculler, as an amateur, but as the application did not appear on the order paper, the Chairman ruled it could not be considered without the unanimous consent of the meeting, and this the meeting would not give. The new rules, as proposed by the Eules Eevision Committee, were nest considered, and passed through, with the following material alterations The proposal to make championship events open to crews of clubs affiliated to any recognised Australasian Amateur Eowing Association was struck out, the feeling being that championship events should bo confined solely to New Zealand competitors ; the definitions of junior oarsman and sculler and of maiden oarsman and sculler were separated, to enable a competitor to win a sculling race without aiiecting his classification as an oarsman, or vice versa. The following colours were adopted for the representatives in intercolonial contests White jersey with maroon facings, and maroon fern leaf worked on left breast. A proposal to row maiden fours on fired seats instead of sliding seats was thrown oat. ' It was decided that the rules as earned should become the rules of the Association after their confirmation at the next g.finnn.l general meeting of the Association.