AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8825, 14 March 1892, Page 6

AQUATICS.

The yacht club picntp rf v The annual picnic of the AuckKnrf v Club was held on Saturday afternoon ' proved a thorough success, some £ more yachts mustering at th» Ly or As the wind was blowing fr!\^ ther 'nj. nor'ard, the Commodore M 1 \v° m th put a veto on Lake Tukaimni lfie,r '*n, vous, and ordered the fleet to P r oce d ren ' J ezharbour, and to bring to a li? H Up the above Kauri Point. The spot chose, „ e Way haps rather uninviting, but as ail per " ot aquatic sports had been arr-,, ? ra, " m « could be best viewed from the f ], u w , cil various boats, but few had ocean! of the The steam yacht Nautilus, own Vy M d * ieatherstone, accompanied the picni, I Ir ' crowded with excursionists, whilst "hi i 15 steamer Britannia, was also well Ll! 7 The first item on the ,'rojra „ »" trom "*£ yachts dingy race, and there were l,^ 6 fifteen starters in this event Th * soon resolved itself into a i 1 race the Spray and the Malanoff f after an exciting contest was won by V? J. Gibbs, the representative of the Z. ' The next event, a "Water Tournament caused much amusement, the aim r f 1 V competitor being to dislodge his opponent from a board on the stern of the di , V i v means of a long pole with a mop a , S 7 Mr. J. B. Graham, the Rita's iquesentativ'!" was responsible for the immersion of several' of his opponents. The Swimming Race which there were nine entries, was won 1* Scott, with J. Morton a good second Th fourth event on the programme was a 'Din,'! Race for paid hands, and was won by Nelson the representative of the Nautilus The W event was, perhaps, the most interesting one being a dingy race for ladies, six ladies came to the starting post, and Mrs. Feath«rstone representing the Nautilus, pulled oil' the event, the win being a most popular one Some amusement was caused by the antics of yachtsmen who were made up in feminine attire and started in the race. Shortly before dual- the yachts started to return, and were favoured with a, nice res breeze, the moonlight sail being particularly enjoyable. On the Nautilus returning tc the Queen-street wharf, His Worship the Mayor (Mr. Crowther), who had accompanied the picnic, thanked Mr. and Mrs" Featherstone on behalf of the Yacht Club for their hospitality and kindness in placing their tine steam yacht at the disposal of the club, and called for three cheers, which were heartily given, the band playing "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow."

WAITEMATA BOATING CLUB. This club were to have held their trial four* on Saturday last, but on account of numerous other attractions and a rough sea, man v of the members did not turn up. It was then decided among those present to have the trial fives for the medals presented by Mr. Buck of Gleeson's Hotel. The following crewi were picked No. 1 : I). Dysart (stroke), <;. Tuck, J. Endean, F. Devin, and H. McHale! No. 2 : H. Gold water (stroke), J. Collins, C. Shaw, J. Lemme, and T. Evans. No.' 3' ,] Waymouth (stroke), R. Moore, W. Williamson, H. Parker, and R. Endean. No, 1 crew drew a bye. No. 2 and 3 rowed off, the former crew winning easily. Alter a short snell No. 2 crew met No. I crew, and beat them easily, thus winning' the medals Mr. H. Keesing acted as judge. Mr. F. Finlay was appointed starter, but got upset on his way to the starting pest, and the crews started by mutual consent.

WEST END ROWING CLUB. CONTESTS FOR THE CAPTAIN S MEDALS. St. Mary's Bay presented quite a brilliant appearance on Saturday afternoon last, on the occasion otthe competition between six crews of the West End Rowing Club for the medals generously presented by the captain of the club, Mr. Maclean. There was a large crowd of spectators on the beach, and about 50 or 00 lady-friends ot the members of the club assembled in the shed, which was gaily decorated with flags, flowers, and evergreens. During the afternoon tea, coffee, and light refreshments were handed round, and all appeared to be enjoying themselves exceedingly well. The only circumstance adverse to the complete success of the gathering was the heavy sea which prevailed, oil which account the races were delayed until four o'clock. In the first heat the crews stroked by Bell, Atkinson, and Driver, competed, the last mentioned winning rather easily. The crews stroked by Lowry. Sneddon, and Gentles started in the next heat. This contest was not a keen one, Lowry s crew winning as they liked. The course was from the Hobson street wharf to the club's shed. As it was too late in the evening to row for the final event, it was decided to postpone the same until this evening at live o'clock.