HENLEY REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8354, 6 September 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

HENLEY REGATTA.

From the London Daily Telegraph of Friday, July 11, we take the following respecting tho concluding day of the Henley Regatta The last day at Henley was as near perfection as it is possible to conceive. It was warm And sunny, yet by no means sultry, the sun's rays being tempered by cool breezes, and the sky being at times covered with light, fleecy clouds. There was enough sunshine to afford apology for the use of sunshades, which, in bright red and delicate blue and green tints, considerably enhanced the ellect of summer toilettes, and made more beautiful and bewitching the moving panorama of skiffs and punts which stretched from tho bridge to Temple Island. Tho Henley fresh water carnival was at its height; the company was far more numerous than on the previous days, and for the first timo ladies assumed their daintiest and prettiest attire. It was impossible to pull vigorously in the midst of such a crowd, even if one were possessed of a consuming desire to distinguish oneself in tho aquatic line as a paddler or sculler. The only thing to be done was to float slowly and lazily to and fro on the water, assisted by something in the form of a wooden propuller ; to admire the beautiful forms and faces which passed and repassed, drink in the fresh balmy air, and when the bell rang and the signal gun roared, to slink behind the wooden piles which marked the course and uwait the cheers which accompanied each contending crew. The first race of the day was between Brasenose and London for the Grand Challenge Cup. London led the way, ~nd were three-quarters of a length ahea r at the top of tho island, retaining the same lead to Fawley. Brasenose then made a spurt, and at the Bell were clear, rowing easily to the finish, winning the race by a length and three-quarters. One of the most interesting and exciting contests was between Kennedy and Nickalls for the Diamond Jhallenge Sculls. Kennedy led to the Farm, and they were nearly level at the Rectory, after which Nickalls went ahead, and at the three-quarter mile Kennedy was a clear length behind. Nickalls won by a good half - length, the race - jupying Bmin .37J*ec. The contest for tho silver goblets, in which Nickalls again took part and was again successful, was of a most exciting character. Francklyn and Muttlebury rowed in the Cambridge boat, and Lord Ampthill assisted Guy Nickalls in the Oxford boat. Muttlebury led at the start, but succeeded in fouling Nickalls at the quarter-mile post. They were level at the Farm, and at Fawley Nickalls was half a length ahead. There was a splendid race home, but it was clear from the swaying to and fro of Muttlebury, who steered, that he was quite knocked up, and his companion was not in much better condition. The race was won by the Oxford boat by one length and three-quarters in Smin ,!tUsec. The last race was for the Visitors' Challenge Cup, the contest lying between Pembroke and Brasenose. The boats were level at the top of the island. Pembroke then took the lead, but they were level again at tho Rectory. Brasenose was just ahead at the Farm, and continued to take the lead, winning by a good length. As soon as the racing was over, the victorious crews made their way to the lawn adjoining the grand stand, where Lady Camoys gracefully distributed the prizes. The uudienco was considerable,, extending right across the river, where the skiffs stood side by side in serried ranks. In a boat next to the shore were Sir Charles and Lady Uilke, accompanied by a little girl. The crews on receiving their prizes were loudly cheered, the greatest ovation being reserved for Nickalls. Mr. F. Willan, one of the umpires, incidentally remarked that this was the twelfth time the London Rowing Club had won the Grand Challenge Cup, observing that whether they had a good crew or a bad crew they always came, and always did their best. For the third time Balliol won the Ladies' Plate. The Thames, said the umpire, had not won the Thames Cup until yesterday since 1874, while Brasenose, who were loudly cheered, had beaten the record by a second, and on this occasion carried off two prizes. It was the eleventh or twelfth time that Kingston had won the Wyfold prize. In presenting Nickalls with his second prize special reference was made to the generous way in which he had overlooked the foul before referred to. The still more noble conduct of Psotta (the American) — who after Kennedy had fallen out of his boat allowed the race, contrary to the rules of sport, to be rowed over again, when he was defeated by his English opponent—was the subject of much commendation, • and a warmly eulogistic address, numerously signed, was read, in which the thanks of the signatories, reflecting, it said, not only the feeling of all rowing men, but of all true sportsmen in the country, were tendered to Mr. Psotta. A vote of thanks was passed to Lord Camoys, and this pleasant little interlude in the day's proceeding was brought to a close by the band playing the National Anthem, at which the multitude of spectators on land and water bared their heads.