ROWING RAGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7562, 15 February 1886, Page 5

ROWING RAGES.

On Saturday afternoon two very interesting j rowing contests took place off Ponsonby between crews selected from the Ponsonby and West End Rowing Clubs. Mr. J. Knox officiated as starter, and Mr. Carollo as umpire, and their duties wove most satis* factorily performed. The events were both won by the Ponsonby Club. The following are the names of the competing crews : — Seniors : Ponsonby No. 1 crew (winners) : Miller (stroke), Smith (3), G. McKay (2), F. Leak, ham (1). No. 2 orew (second) : C. Graham (stroke), J. Dickson (3), JEdmonds (2), J. McKay (I). West tind iio. 1 crew : F. Edwards (stroke), F. Stewart (3), F. Cooper (2), J. Cook (1). No. 2 crew: A. ' Jones (stroke), J. Edwards (3), W. Farquhar (2), R. Jack (1). Juniors, Ponsonby No. 1 3rew (winners) J. Currie (stroke), J. Drummond (3), J. Reid (2), W. Scott (1). No. 2 orew second : J. Brennan (stroke), A. Finlayson (3), T. Wilson (2), T. Whetley (1). ' West End No. 1 crew : K. Wilson (stroke), J. N. Baxter (3), G. Chapman (2), A. Cooke (1). No. 2. crew :R. S. Gibson (stroke), J. Fisher (3), Swailes (2), A. Dow'den (1). In the evening the crews and several of the friends of the two clubs assembled at the Ponsonby Club Hotel and sat down to a oold collation, admirably laid out by Host Stanford. To enable the meeting to enjoy a pleasant evening the licensing committee of the district had granted permission to Mr. Stanford to keep his bar open for the use of those present up to eleven p.m., and the concession was highly appreciated. Mr. G. W. Owen, the chairman of the committee, personally delivered the permit, and he exexpressed the hope that the meeting would be an enjoyable one. After ample justice had been done to the good things provided, and the oloth removed, Mr. J. Knox took the chair, having Mr. H. Parker, captain of the Waitemata Boating Club, as vice-chairman. The toasts of "The Queen and Royal Family," and " His Excellency the Governor," and " Members of the General Assembly and House of Representatives," having been proposed and duly honoured, Mr. J. Cooke proposed " The health of the Successful Competitors." He referred to the the good that would accrue from the holding of such contests, which would go far towards breaking down the petty jealousies that had so long existed between the various clubs. Rowing was at a very low ebb, but he hoped that that day's work would do a great deal towards reviving it. He hoped to have the pleasure of seeing more clubs competing, and to be present at many future gatherings similar to the one now being held. Mr. D. Miller returned thanks, and hoped that the' members of the clubs would go in for a greater, amount of training. Mr. Morpeth proposed the toast of the " Unsuccessful Competitors," and hoped that future contests would be better patronised, especially by ladies, Mr. Edwards returned thanks. The Health of the Waitemata Boating Club" was also drunk with enthusiasm, and responded to by Mr, H. Parker. The toasts of The Umpire and Starter," "The Press," " The Host and Hostess," were also proposed and responded to. Messrs. Edwards J. Kuox, Carollo,' H. Parker, Miller, W. Farquhar, and others, contributed songs at intervals, which added materially to the evening's amusement, which was brought to a close at eleven p.m.