Rowing Notes.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 132, 10 January 1903, Page 22

Rowing Notes.

By Native.

The Marlborough Regatta took place at Picton on New Year's Day. The weather was very threatening in the morning, and this, no doubt, accounted for a smaller number than usual patronising the< excursion steamers The- Star Club got three- firsts and a second in four starts, winning the Maiden and Junior Fours and Maiden Pairs, and being placed second in the Junior Pairs, won by Blenheim. The Junior Fours provided a good race between thei tihiee boats- Stars winning by a little more than a length from Blenheim. I w as surprised at the absence of the Wellington Club from the regatta. In the past they have always been well represented at this fixture. The Maiden crew was surely worth a trial. The Petone Club nluckily sent crews for the Madden Races. Their representatives were sturdy specimens, and, with a little coaching, should be heard of later on. • • * There was. a big attendance at tlhe Lyttelton Regatta, which was also held on New Year's Day. All of the races were rowed in the local class 1 of stump outriggers. The entries were erood, seven crews competing in three of the events, and the racing was first-class. Christchurch Amateur was the most successful club, winnine the Senior Pairs Senior Double Sculls, and Senior Sculls. Avon, won the Maiden Pairs and Youtihs' Sculls, Petone the Junior Pairs, Union the Youths' Pairs, Junior Double Sculls 1 and Maiden Double Sculls, and Canterbury the Youths' Double Sculls. The Canterbury pair, Hardy-Johnston and Avers, were fancied for tlhe Senior Pairs, having won this race at Akaroa on the lbth ult., but Mahoney and Fry were chosen to represent the Christchurch Amateur Club m place of Crosbie and Samuels and succeeded in beating the Canterbury pair, after a fine race, by about two lengths. The same pair also won the Senior Double Sculls later in tShe day, defeating Goodwin and Woodill from the Akaroa Club. The Canterbury representativesi scratched. In reference to the question of the Akaroa and Lyttelton Regatta Oofmmittiees rowing the Maiden Races im other than Association boats, I believe that the Association is asking their local representative® for a report on the matter. • ♦ » The Nelson Rowing Association has been formed, with its headquarters at Westport. The Blenheim Club is also moving in the matter of forming the Marlborough Association. This only leaves the Hawke's Bay clubs to make a start, and, as I have previously nointed out, if they wish to compete at regattas under the rules of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association they must form their local association according to the rules which come into force at the beginning of this week. I have to congratulate the Petone Club on their initial regatta win in the Junior Pairs at Lyttelton, by the aid of Simpson and Keetly. • • • At the Kawhia Regatta, on the sth instant, the Sculling Race only brought one competitor, T. Spencer, from the Wellington Rowing Club, and he rowed over the course. It is to be regretted that the committee did not receive more encouragement after providing such liberal prize-money. George Towns pot a most enthusiastic reception at Sydney and Newcastle. All of the old-timers, including Beach, Trickett, Layoock, Rush, and Stansbur^ were present. Several members of the local clubs a,t Riverton had to stand down on Boxing Day, as it was found that they had unintentionally infringed their amateur status by competing against professionals in an obstacle race at a previous regatta. They have applied for reinstatement. The first meeting of the N Z.A R A representing local associations, will be held on the 20th March.