INTEFROVINCIAL BOAT RACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 6947, 22 February 1884, Page 5

INTEFROVINCIAL BOAT RACE.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —FRHSS ASSOCIATION. 1 Christchubch, Thursday. The interprovincial boat race, Wellington against Christcharcb, was. rowed on the estuary: this/afternoon. .. Wellington crew,: Batkin, 9s t .Slbs I ;Smith.,, list ; Roberts;, list - lOlbs ;. is took; lOatSlbs : total,.. 42at 121ba. . Chris tchurch. crew : J. Fuller, lOafc ; Shand, ,10st. 21bs ; Styche, lOat lllbs; F. Fuller,. lOst 13lbs : total, .41st. 21ba, The Wellington . men used the comet and steered- without a cox; thus saving . about: five stone. The Christchnrch men . rowed in 1 the Union boat built by Swaddle and Winship, of Newcastle-on-Tyne. It was con«idereda. very even matoh.\ Mr; Thomson acted as judge ; Mr. J. H. Monck; referee; Mr. Stock (Wellington) and: Mr: Kesteven (Christchurch) were umpires. Mr. L. M. Ollivier was starter. The weather was beautiful, but the water.,was a little rough. The 'Union: took, the lead shortly - after the: start, and. was two lengths ahead in less than: 200. yards, then the Wellington men drew up .and held their opponents for a short distance,, .only to fall back again. At the tirat corner, three-quarters of a mile from the start, the Union were leading by four lengths, but the Wellington wentoatside the flag, thereby gaining a lead of two lengths. Fuller stuck to his work; and with a turn in his favonr. at .fisherman'shuts; regained, a half-length of. what, he had lost. Wellington was now leading a clear length. About 200. yards: further Batkin lost exactly two lengths, by wild steering, nearly taking, him on to a: sandbank before.diacovenng the mistake. When about a quarter. ot=a mile from home; Fuller quickly.perceived his adversary's position; and called on his men, who went to the front with a rush; just' clearing Wellington when they got the boat straight. Thero was a slashing race for the rem».inder:of the distance, both boats pulling, all they knew, the Union being three-quarters of a length in front. About a hundred yards from the winning-post there was a sharp turn, which being, in. favour.of Wellington; let them up level with the local crew. Fuller stopped one/instant; mistaking the winning-post, but before , the way on the boat stopped he sent on tho work again, and a few powerful strokes took him past the post, a- winner by three feet. Time, llmins. 22secs.