PONSONBY REGATTA CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6667, 31 March 1883, Page 5

PONSONBY REGATTA CLUB.

Tut: decision of the umpire of the Ponsonby Regat-a Club does not appear to have given satisfaction to tie North Shore Rowing Club, if v.-.: ar- to judge from the annexed letter, which Wl': received by tlie Secretary of the K-gatta Club yesterday. It is very much to be regretted tbat any ill-feeling should aris-' over t >e pulling of the rowing races on Monday last, and we think the North Shore Rowing Club would do well if they were to ho content w.th the ruling of the umpire, whos- dee sn.-n, they we'd know, 13 final and v. iti out : pp'-al. We do not believe for a mom-at tbat Mr. Stodart would act in any other way than equally fair to both the North .Shore and Ponsonby Rowing Clubs for he is a gentleman in whom we have always tound implicit confidence has been placed ; but in the present matter of dispute liotween the North Shore and Ponsonby Rowing Clubs, kuowing tho facts of the case as we no*' do, we cannot see how Mr. Stodart could have arrived at any other decision ttian the one lie did, for nothing could spe:ik more plainly of the "foul" between the two boats than the boat itself in which the Ponsonby crew pulled. It bears t:>e marks of the collision plainly, and con j e<jueiitly allows very accurately tho position the two bcaa must have been in when t>".ey eamc together. It is a pity the North Shore Club hare gone furtli-r in this matter than to demur to the umpire's ruling, and that they should attempt to drag the newly formed Kowing Association in'O the dispute; but we believe that the association will leadily recognise the n. cessity «.£ upholding tho ruling of the umpire, tor if they do not do so it will give one of the ino3t disastrous blows that could be, stru :k, and would open wido the door to dishonest practices in connection with rowing for the future. We are inclined to think that had the coxswain of the Ponsonby boat on Monday last, been a person of mature years, iustead of a young lad, the protest of the North Shore Club would never have been thought of, but the sore point is evidently in the fact tbat the clever little coxswain of the Ponsonby boat was one too many for his elder rival at the rudder lines. The following is tho letter we have referred to:—"North Shore Rowing Club. M.rch 29. The Hon. Secretary Ponsonby Regatta Club.—Dear Sir,—As your umpire has given a decision in race No. G, which is advertised as being rowed under the rules of the Auckland Kowing Association, and as a great number of people seem to think contrary to said rules, 1 have to inform you that as both clubs belong to the association, and have agreed to bind themselves to itsdtcision \lllen joining the association, 1 think it only right that before paying over the pi izes the P.egatta Club should obtaiu information as to whether the umpire has a copy of the rales of the association and w- ether the association will take his ruling as a precedent or not. The committee of the a-sociation meet on Tut sday evening, the 3rd instant, when the matter will be considered.—l am, William Sibbin, Hon. Secretary."

The di!?- rent rowing races of the I'onsoilby Regatta, postponed from Monday last, and also the model yacht race will tnke place this af eru xMi. "in the rowing races the fonum tee have decided that all the raccs shall he pulled "straight away/' the finishing poi'.'t b-.ing oil .Shelly Beach. In tne evening, at eight o'clock, the prizc3 will be paid liver to the uill'erent winners at the i'oosonby Club Hotel.