SMOKE CONCERTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11555, 16 April 1898, Page 6

SMOKE CONCERTS.

UNION ROWING CLUB. The annual smoke concert and presentation of prizes of the Union Rowing Club was held in the club-rooms last evening, Mr A. Loughrey (senior vice-president) in .the chair. There was a large attendance, and a capital programme of musical items was gone through, interspersed with the usual toasts, which combined to make the evening a most enjoyable one. The prizes, all of which were very handsome, , were distributed as follow : A. Nicholls—Opening Day Fours, ■ President’s Cup, Senior Pairs (Little River Regatta), Scratcli Double Sculls (Sumner Regatta) aud special prize Single Sculls (Kaiapoi Regatta); George Lee—Senior Pairs (Little River Regatta); L. P. Ebert —Junior Pairs (Akaroa Regatta) and Scratch Double Sculls (Sumner Regatta); J. Juriss —Junior Pairs (Akaroa Regatta); W. Duggan Youths’ Double Sculls (Kaiapoi Regatta and Christchurch Regatta) and Scratch Double Sculls, No. 1 and No. 2 (Sumner Regatta); J. C. Sibbald —Youths’ Double Sculls (Kaiapoi and Christchurch Regattas); R. Cowan — Opening Day Fours and President’s Cup, in conjunction with H. Hobbs and L. Hardie; F, C. Hoole and F, Otley—Trial Pairs ; W. E. Simes, N. M’Rohie and H. C. Manning —Trial Fours; P. Mansfield—Trial Fours and Trial Single Sculls. Each of the coxswains was presented with a suitable prize in recognition of his services through the season. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs A. Allan, W. Hall, G. H. Mason and F. M. Collins; recitations by Messrs D. Ryan and T. G. Ashman, a humorous sketch by Mr W. Hall, instrumental selections by Messrs Painter, Laurie and Nashelski, and a duet by Messrs A. Allan and F. Collins. The customary toasts were duly honoured, and the gathering broke up with “ Auld Lang Syne.” Mr J. M. Morrison acted ss accompanist.

CANTERBURY ROWING CLUB.

The annual smoke concert and distribution of prizes in connection with the Canterbury Rowing Club took place at tbe boat-house yesterday evening. Mr R. D. Thomas, a vice-president of the club, was in the chair, and was supported on his right by Mr. C. E. Bourne, head-master of Christ’s College, and on his left by Mr A. L. Smith, club captain. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs A. F. N. Blakiston and A. E. G. Rhodes, vicepresidents. -The Chairman presented the prizes won during the season as follow: — Maiden Double Sculls, Akaroa regatta —A. S. Hardy-Johnston and H, Ayers; Senior Pairs, Lyttelton regatta—E. I. Cowlishaw and J. Y. Daly; Maiden Double Sculls, Lyttelton regatta—A. S. Hardy-Johnston and H. Ayers; Ladies’ Plate, Christchurch regatta —F. E. t De Yeaux, N. L, Macbeth, F. V/. Hobbs and F. E. Wright; Maiden Double Sculls, Christchurch regatta—A. S. Hardy-Johnston and H. Ayers; Ladies’ Plate, Dunedin championship regatta—A. S. Hardy-Johnston, T. L, Cowlishaw, H. Ayers and F. E. Wright. Opening day— Sculls, A. S. Hardy-Johnston; Fours, S. O . Styche. President’s Cup—L. W. Appleby, F. E. Wright, H. J. M. Thomson and S. O. Styche; Trial Pairs—H. Appleby and A, Cracroft Wilson; Trial Sculls—S. O. Styche and F. E. Hardy-Johnston; Trial Fours—O. D. M’llraith, S. G. Styche, F. W. Foster and E. Buckeridge; Scratch Fours A. S. Hardy-Johnston, S. G. Styche, D. M’Bean Stewart and J. F. Poulton; Scratch Sculls —N. L. Macbeth and C. F. Brown. Prizes were also awarded to coxswains Winstone, Herbert and Darkie, the various recipients being heartily cheered. In proposing the toast of the Canterbury, Rowing Club, the Chairman regretted that their President, Mr E. J. S, Harman, was not there to preside over the meeting. In the very early days of the province of Canterbury, Mr E. J. S. Harman' decided to import into this country some of the Old Country racing boats, * and did so practically at his own expense. The old Isis four was the first boat landed hero, then came two stumps and the Avon pairoar. The good example thus set was soon followed. Some of. the Christchurch tradesmen started what was known as the Trades Rowing Club, when the Avon and others followed suit. He was convinced that there existed in the wide world no healthier or more-manly exercise than that of rowing. It kept young fellows out of mischief, and taught them not only how to win, but how to take a beating. In. conclusion, he predicted that before long the swing of the pendulum would bring rowing once more to the fore in England, and when that happened it would spread through all the colonies. He wished the Canterbury Club even more prosperity in the future than it had enjoyed in the past, (Applause.) Mr A. L. Smith suitably responded. _ The other

toasts were:—“The Winners,” proposed by Mr P. W. Hobbs, and responded to by Messrs F. I. Cowlishaw and Hardy-Johnston; “ The Losers,” proposed by Mr J. R. Evans, and responded to by Mr Wray; “The Ladies,”proposed by Mr A. L. Styche, and responded to by Mr A yers; “ Kindred Clubs and Sports,” proposed by Mr N. L. Macbeth ; “ The Press,” proposed by Mr C. F. Turner; and “John Puller—coach,” proposed by Mr W ray and drunk with musical honours. Capital songs were sung by Messrs C. Edgar, W. Hartland, P. W. Hobbs and C. March. Mr Tombs contributed two violin solos, and Mr N, L. Smith gave a recitation from Rudyard Kipling.