AUCKLAND ROWING CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8882, 19 May 1892, Page 5

AUCKLAND ROWING CLUB.

A SMOKE concert was held at the British Hotel last night for the purpose of presenting the medals won at tho lute Pine Island Regatta, and the presentation of the Now Zealand Amateur Rowing Association colours to Mr. M. Keefe, a member of the Auckland Rowing Club. Mr. John Marshall, the president of the club, occupied the chair, supported on his right by Mr. Thomas Henderson, the Captain of the club. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been duly proposed and responded to, Mr. Marshall said that he had a very pleasing duty to perform in presenting to Messrs. A. Dacre, H. Jones, St. J. Clarke, G. E. Howard, and J. Meek (coxswain) tho medals for members of tho Auckland Rowing ( lub under 21 years of age. In doing so, Mr. Marshall said that though probably tho best crew had not won the event, it showed what perseverance could do, as the winning crew had worked very hard to get the position which they had achieved. His reason for giving the medals to a junior crew was to endeavour to bring them on, and he was very well satisfied with the result of his experiment. He then presented the medals, accompanying them with a fow happy remarks to each recipient, which were greeted with cheers. The coxswain of the crew was not present to receive his trophy, and Mr. Mai shall made a few remarks anent this, saying that all idea had got abroad to the effect that the coxswain was not entitled to a medal. This was a mistake, for the coxswain always ranked with the rest of the crew, as 011 him depended to a large extent the success or otherwise of the competing crew. One of the principal parts of the programmein fact, the principal reason of the gathering being held—then took place—the presentation of the colours to Mr. M. Keefe, the Amateur Champion oarsman of New Zealand. In making tho presentation the chairman said that it was the first time since the competition for the Amateur Sculling Championship had been inaugurated that one of their number had been succe.-sful in winning the trophy, and he was sure that Mr. Keefe must have had a feeling of pride when he returned covered with the honours of victory. He trusted that, if Mr. Keefe wont in for professional competition, he would be successful, and that he would not forget the Club with which he had been so long connected. Mr. Keefe made a suitable reply, and was loudly cheered during the course of his remarks. Medals were also presented to Messrs. G. Barrett, A. N. (■ibhons, R. Broberg, C. F. Minnitt, A. H. Busby, A. Dacre, H. Cramond, and J. Graham. The " Health of the Successful Competitors," was proposed by Mr. Myers, in a neat sjK-ech, and was responded to by Messrs. Keefe, A.N. Gibbons, Busby, and Clarke. Mr. Thos. Henderson, t.he captain of tho Auckland Rowing Club, proposed the toast of " Rowing," and in doing so gave a resume cf his recollections of rowing since 18(i9, which were listened to with much interest, and greeted with rounds of hearty applause. Mr. F. W. Edwards responded to the toast, and gave some reminiscences of his association with rowing and Mr. Keefe, and hoped that the latter would yet compete for the championship of the world. Mr. Lowe, of Nelson, and Mr. J. B. Graham for Ponsonby, also responded ; as did Mr. Bankhart, of the St. George's Club, who hoped that tho general public would take more interest in rowing matters. Mr. Graham proposed tho toast of " The Press," which was responded to by the Herald representative. Mr. C. C. Dacre proposed " The Health of Mr. J. Marshall," the president of the club, as Auckland's foremost aquatic patron. Mr. Marshall, in responding, said that it gave him the greatest pleasure to preside on such an occasion as tho present, and ho proposed the health of Mr. Henderson, the captain of the club, who suitably responded. The health of Mr. John Gallagher, the host, closed the proceedings. During the evening songs and recitations were given by various gentlemen, which were much appreciated judging from the applause given at the end of each piece. The gathering was one of the most enjoyable that has taken place in aquatic circles for some time, there being nothing to disturb the feeling of harmony which existed during the evening.

The widow of a rag and bone dealer, who was supposed to bo very poor, was found dead at her shop in Wandsworth. Upon her room being searched over £1400 was discovered concealed in earthenware jars, milk-cans, and old stockings. An English gardener has invented a contrivance by which he is able to supply fruit trees and other crops wi'h copious supplies of water or liquid manure, which (1) prevents any waste of liquid manure ; (2) obviates the necessity of waiting for rain to moisten the top soil ; (3) which reaches the roots about 3 inches below the surface, filtering among the root-fibres direct; (4) the surface-ground is kept parched, and weeds cannot thrive ; (5) crops of fruit and vegetables are watered by the same contrivance ; (6) watering can take place during the full blaze of the sun at mid-day without any fear of blistering the crops ; (7) the crops never get soiled, and it is best for plants to be watered when the ground is very hot. It is most expe litious and effectual; deluges of clear water can be supplied underground, and as the parched surface does not imbibe it, weeds are most successfully kept under, and the crops, whatever they may be, are exceptionally fine and healthy. It is not an expensive contrivance. Respecting this underground watering of garden and orchard crops, the editor of the Gardeners' Chronicle states that the method is not new ; in fact, it has been practised in Paris for supplying the street trees with water. Some English gardeners also practise a variation of the method in watering vineborders, and in supplying diluted liquid manure to cucumbers, melons, etc,