AUCKLAND ROWING ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6692, 30 April 1883, Page 6

AUCKLAND ROWING ASSOCIATION.

Patron : Hl« Worship the Mayor of Auckland ; VicePatron l The Chairman of the Auckland HaTbour Board- President : Mr. E. Mitchelson. M.H.B, ; Vice-President : Mr. T. T. Masefield, Committee: Elected Members—Mr. M. NiccoL. Mr. W. Bachimin, Mr. C. C. Dicro, Captain .T. McKenzie, Mr. BJ. Bennett, Mr. E. O. Gibbons, jun: Ropresentatlre Members —Auckland Bowing Club, ilr. D. Ox ley, Mr H W. Henderson ; North Shore Rowing Club, Mr E. W. Burgess, Mr. James Sims; Ponsonby KoWtag Club, Mr. J.' B. Morpeth. Mr D. Miller. Hon. Treasurer : Mr- T. Henderson, jun., Hon. Secretary : Mr. W. Slbbin. Starter : Coptiln J. jlcKenzio. tTmche : Mr. J. Bennett. Judge .

Mr. M. Nlccol. The first regatta under the auspices of the above association came off on Saturday last, I and proved a most unqualified success. The j day overhead was all that could be desired, and the S.W. wind that prevailed did not materially interfere with the progress of the races. The course laid down for the different events was from the Torea mooring to the eastward end of _ the Railway Wharf (this was for the one mile events); for the one and a quarter mile events the start was made from off the eastern bluff off Judges Bay. The s.s. Wellington, which had been kindly placed at the disposal of the association by the Northern Steamship Company, wan well patronised, and she followed the different races, bo affording her passengers an excellent view of the events. The different officers of the club all worked hard to make the regatta a success; especially may this be said of the hon. sec., Mr. W. SibbiD, who had charge of affairs on board the Wellington. Captain J. McKenzie acted as starter, and it is almost to say that he fulfilled his onerous duties with perfect satisfaction, getting his crews away to excellent starts. As will be noticed, the North Shore Rowing Club were successful in pulling off four out of the six events; and they may well be proud of their success, which in this instance is well deserved, their crews having gone in for a heavy course of training. The other two events fell equally to the Auckland and Ponsonby Clubs. The j following are the particulars of the races

MAIDEN AMATEURS. North Shore Rowing Club—l, F. Innes, lOst 51bs ; 2, A. Buchanan, lOat 2lbs ; 3, C. Sims, lOst 31bs; stroke, J. Webster, list; A. Bailey, cox. ... ••• 1 Auckland Rowing Club—l, S. Hunter, 9st 101b; 2, R. Biggs, list; 3, J. Baker, list 61bs; stroke, R. Mackey, list 81ba ; J. Ansenne, cox -

The Auckland crew were slightly the favourites at the start, although the North Shoreites had some friends who were confident of sucoeß3. A good start was made, North Shore's having the inshore position. For the first 200 yards the boats kept close together and the stroke of each was very even. When half the distance had been got over, the blues had taken the lead and were rapidly drawing away from their opponents who were beginning to show signs of distress, their pulling beooming uneven and catching. From this out the Worth Shore crew had the race in band, and despite a determined spurt of the Aucklond lads they came in winners by about five lengths. 1 ime, Smin. 44secs. Distance, 1 mile. SENIOR BONA FIDE AMATEURS. Auckland Rowing Club.—l, C. R. Bradley, list 41bs ; 2, U. N. Pearce, 12at 3lbs ; 3, T. Henderson, list Gibs ; stroke, H. W. Henderson, 12st 71bs ; J. Ansenne, cox. 1 North Shore Rowing Club—l, A. Burgess, lOst; 2, C. H. Burgess, list; 3, S. McGechie, 13st 71bs; stroke, E. W. Burgess, 13st lib ; A. Bailey, cox. ... 0

There were only these two entries for this event,and tha Auckland crew (despite the fact that Mr. C. C. Dacro could not pull, owing to ill-health, and that Mr. G. N. Pearce h*d been placed on his seat), were the favourites. This race was for 1 mile and a quarter, and both boats got away, taking the water together. The long, swinging stroke of the Auckland was much admired, and the time kept was excellent. Both crews at once settled down to woik, the Auckland pulling an average stroke of 33 to the minute, whilst the North Shore Club were doing a stroke of 4 per minute quicker. The North Shore crew obtained a slight lead, which they had increased to about a length when half the distance had been travelled. The Auckland boat bow put on a spurt, and were gradually decreasing the lead of their opponents when suddenly the sliding seat of No. 3 of the North Shore boat got adrift, and with the mishap the_ latter lost their chance of winning. This was much to be regretted as the race promised to be a most exciting one, it being evident the two crews were most evenly matched. The time occupied was 9m. 32secs.

JUNIOR BONA FIDE AMATECTBS, Ponßonby Rowing Club—l, A. W. Farquhar, 99t; 2, S. N. Yon Sturmer, 10st; 3, J. E. Cook, Hat 41bs; stroke, A. H. Jones, lOat lOlbs; C. Farquhar, cox. 1 Auckland Rowing Club—X, A. S. Hunter, 9st lOlbs; 2, R. Biggs, list; 3, J. Baker, list 61bs ; stroke, R. Mackay, list 81bs ; J. Ansenne, cos 2

For this race three crews were entered but owing to one of the crew of the North Shore Club being unable to row they were forced to stand out. This was a pity as this race had been looked forward to for some dayß in the anticipation of a moat exciting contest, the crews being thought so evenly matched. The race which was for one mile, proved as expected a most interesting one. From the start the Ponsonby Club secured a lead, and they gradually drew away from their opponents, getting a clear length's lead by the time the time half the journey waa over. Despite Auckland's game spurts Ponsonby still retained the leading position, eventually winning by about three lengths. Auckland pulled a grand stroke and it is to be regretted that Mackay was not better backed up. Time, 7min. SOaecs.

SENIOR AMATEURS. North Shore Rowing Club —1, W. Greenwood, list 41bs; 2, G. Wynyard, Hat lOlbs; 3, T. O'Connor, 13at 81bs; stroke, E. W. Burgess, 13st lib ; A. Bailey, cox. Auckland Rowing Club—l, C. R. Brad-

ley, llst4lbs; 2, G. N. Pearce, list; 3, T. Henderson, jun., Hat 61bs; stroke, H. W. Henderson, 12at 71b; J. Anserine, cox. ... 2 For this event Ponsonby was not represented. The same competitors as represented Auckland in the Senior Bona Fide Amateura pulled in this race, whilst the North Shore crew were, with the exception of the stroke, all new hands. Captain McKenzie got the boats away to a capital start, both crews taking the water almost simultaneously. For the first portion of the race both crews were pulliDg 40 strokes to the minute. The North Shore crew, which were the heaviest, after about 100- yards had been pulled gradually commenced to draw • away from their opponents, who were pulling puckily. When about three-quarters of. a mile had been done, both crews increased their stroke, the North Shore doing 45 to the minute and the Auckland 43 to the minute. Despite several game efforts on the part of the scarlet and black they were unable to again get upon terms with the blues, who won a pretty race by about four lengths. The time was 7mins. 58secs. AMATEUR SCULLERS. North Shore Rowing Club.—E. Bailey, lOst ... ~ 1 Ponsonby Rowing Club.—T. J. Farquhar, Bat 161bs ... ... 2 North Shore Rowing Club. — Robert Logan, 9st 71bs 3

Only three of the four entered faced the starter, A. H. Jones being the absentee. Farquhar was the favourite for the race, which was for one mile, whilst Bailey had a number of friends. At the word " off " the three all went away at a rattling pace, but before any distance had been traversed Logan gave in, and the contest in consequence was narrowed down to a trial between Farquhar and Bailey. Both scullers kept together for more than half the distance had been got over, when it was noticed that Farquhar was not pulling with any heart. Bailey from this point took the lead, and came in an easy winner by some five or six lengths. The complete break down of Farquhar in this race was a great surprise to

all; . but. the. young .scalier, explained . his defeat with a manliness that waa pleasing to see. "My opponent has more wind,' he said, and he stated that he felt somewhat unwell soon after starting, and which mmde him giddy by the time half the raca was over. The time occupied was Bmin. lsec.

JTTNIOB AMATBtTBS. North Shore Rowing Club—J. James, 9st 101b; F. Innes, lOst 51bs ;C. Sims, 10st31bs; 6. Wynyard, stroke, list

101b; A. Bailey, cox Ponsonby Rowing Club—R. Gault, list 4lbs; T. Kmery, 12st41bs ; J. E. Cook, list 41bs; D. Watson,' stroke, 10at. lOlbs; C. Farquhar, cox.

This race (1 mile) was a complete boil over, the Ponsonby men being sanguine of success, and from the manner in which the race was being rowed for the first half-mile it was shown that tbat confidence was justified, bat yvhen it caine to the spurt for the last quarter of tbe mile the Ponsonby crew could not answer to the call, the North Shore winning easily by some three lengths. The Worth. Shore lads pulled a stroke of 40 to the minute, whilst Ponsonby pulled a stroke of 36. Time, 7m. 595.

'lhis concluded : the regatta, and the 3.3. Wellington at one proceeded to the Queenstreet Wharf, where she landed her excursionists, who testified their pleasure at the atternoon's sport by giving three hearty cheers for the Rowing Association, the obliging Secretary, and for Capt. Farquhar.