PICTON REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10098, 6 April 1896, Page 6

PICTON REGATTA.

CHAMPIONSHIP MEETING.

[by telegraph.—press association.]

I'icton, Saturday. The first day's racing in connection with the annual championship regatta, under the auspices of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association was held to-day. A strong south-easterly wind, accompanied by drenching rain, blew during the morning, but it fell as the day wore on, and although heavy rain continued without intermission the water during the afternoon was all that could possibly be wished for, and the programme was carried out in its entirety. The Maiden Clinkers, four, produced a most exciting race, Picton winning by about two lengths, and Canterbury defeating Wellington for second place by two feet In two heats of the Junior Clinkers Pairs the Star beat Nelson and Wellington Four Stars. The Champion Pair-oared Raco of New Zealand fell to the Canterbury Club (J. J. Daly bow, F. J. Cowlishaw stroke), Wairewa second, Blenheim third, Wellington Four Stars fifth. The Junior Outrigged Fours resulted in Picton first, Star 6econd, Canterbury third. Won by half a length after a great race. Nelson and Wellington also competed. Picton, Sunday. During the night, the wind shifted round to the north, and tho rain cleared off, with the result that splendid weather was experienced to-day, and promises to continue so over to-morrow. The crews engaged in to-morrow's event hid a final spin to-day, the water being as smooth as could be desired. The disappointius exhibition given by Seymour Brothers, on the Champion Pairs, has had the effect of lowering the Blenheim crew in public estimation, and the Queen's Drive will start favourites. The Wangauui Unions have put in good work here, and the general impression in that they will again row well forward. Richardson, the coach 01" the Blenham crew, is confident of the ability of his men to pull off the event. The chances of Wellington and Stars are not seriously «onsidered in the event.

All the members of the winning crew being unable to go to Australia, it is thought the Selection Committee will have some difficulty in picking a crew. McGrath, who is the favourite for the Champion Sculls, would be able to go to Australia. Chapman and Reid (Wairewa) are expected to win the Champion Double Sculls, Queen Drive the Senior Clinker Fours, Wellington the Ladies' Plate, and Piuton the Junior Pair. The Championship Fours, will be rowed about twelve o'clock, just after the arrival of the excursion steamers from Wellington.

NEW ZEALAND AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION. Pictok, Sunday. A special meeting of the delegates to the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, which was held last evening, occupied nearly five hours. There was a large attendance, only a tew of the smaller clubs being unrepresented. Mr. John Duncan, of Picton, occupied the chair. he application ot the Port Chalmers Rowing Club for tho reclassification of T. Erridge as junior oarsman was agreed to. The proposals in regard to the inter-colonial four-oared and scullingcontests were discussed at great length. On the motion of Mr. Hiss (North Shore Rowing Club), it was unanimously resolved "That a crow and sculler representing the New Zealand Association Rowing Club be sent to Sydney to compete in the contests for the amateur four-oared and sculling championships of Australasia." Considerable difference of opinion existed as to the appointment of a delegate to represent the New Zealand Association at the conference of delegates from the various Australasion associations to be held in Sydney in May, and the appointment of the mauuger of the Mew Zealand crew. The matter of expense entered largely into the question, particularly as the hou. secretary informed the meeting that subscriptions were falling short of expectations, and the sum of £30 was still required to meet the expenses of the crew and sculler. Mr. Field moved "Ihat this Association approves of the proposal of the New South Wales Rowing Association to hold a conference, and appoints as its delegates Messrs. A. S. Hiss and E. D. Hoben." This was carried by a large majority on the understanding that if the funds did not warrant it Mr. Biss' expenses would not be paid by the Association. Mr. A. G. Johnson then moved, "That no manager be appointed, and that the money to he expended by the crew and sculler be handed by the secretary of the Rowing Association to the secretaries of the respective clubs, the latter to he responsible for disbursements by the club's representatives during the tour. This was agreed to.

The question of tho selection of the New Zealand representatives provoked keen discussion. It was eventually decided that the question of the selection of representative lours be left to a selection committee consisting of Messrs. J. Yeoman (Queen's Drive), G. 15. Richardson (Blenheim), M. Keegan (Wanganui Union), N. Galhraith (Star), and A. J. Bishop (Wellington). It was understood that this committee would meet immediately after the fours were rowed on Monday. The feeling of the meeting was that in the event of the race being fairly rowed and won, the winners should be selected. The question of the selection of a representative sculler was left to the same committee. With regard to the instructions to the delegates to the Conference, it was decided to practically leave them a free hand, hut recommendations were carried " urging them to refuse acceptance of any terms for future contests which would bar manual labour amateurs," and asking them to support the distance for future contests being fixed at three miles.

On the motion of the Napier Club the Council of the Association was instructed to draw up a schedule of measurements of convertible double sculler and pair oar clinker boats suitable for club work and for regattas. The new rules as proposed by the Rules Revision Committee were next considered and passed through with the following material alterations : — The proposal to make championship events open to crews of chilis affiliated to any recognised Australasian Amateur Rowing Association war struck out, the feeling being that championship events should be confined solely to New Zealand competitors. Definitions of junior oarsman and sculler, and of maiden oarsman and sculler, were separated to enable competitors to win sculling races without affecting his classification as oarsman or vice versa. The following colours were adopted for representatives in intercolonial contests White jersey with maroon facings and maroon fern leaf worked on left breast. A proposal to row maiden fours on fixed leats instead of sliding seats was thrown out. It was decided that the rules as carried tonight become the rules of the Association after their confirmation at the next annual general meeting of the Association. The meeting concluded shortly before midnight, having disposed of all tho business on the order paper.