THE PICTON REGATTA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10100, 8 April 1896, Page 5

THE PICTON REGATTA.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION,] Picton, Tuesday. The Selection Committee appointed by the Rowing Association met last night, and after a brief discussion, decided that the Queen's Drive crew and Chapman bo sent to Sydney to represent New Zealand in the Intercolonial fours and sculls next month. Since Saturday night's meeting members of the Queen's Drive Crew have been ablo _ to arrange tor the necessary leave, and Mr. Yeoman announced last night they could all make the trip, Mr. Chapman gave a similar undertaking. The committee felt that both races had been fairly won by the best men, and in reply to questions Mr. Yeoman stated that the Queen's Drive had plenty left in them at the finish. All they wanted was to keep the lead, and this they were able to do without bringing their whole strength into play. As to Chapman tho Committee recognised he hail gamely and cunningly worn down both McGrath and McCormick, and that in the NVairewa man the colony had a most promising sculler. Chapman's victory is all the more creditable from the fact that he rowed a very heavy boat, which is generally considered to have been a length slower than any other boat in tho race. He proposes to semi an order to Australia immediately for a firstclass boat to be built in readiness for him on his arrival in Sydney. Chapman states he thought he would be ablo this year to give McGrath all he wanted, and for that reason saved himself in the double sculls, leaving all tho hard work to Reed. He says he is in tip-top form, and confident of being able to give a good account of himself on the other side. Senior Clinker Fours. Two miles. Prizes, £11) and £2. Wellington Rowing Club ((J. Poll bow, J, Bourko 2, F. Wolff 3, J. R.Crawford stroke, Tingoy cox) 1 Queen's Drive Boating Club (same crew as champion fours)_ 2 Unions, Wauganui 3 Star, 4. Blenheim and Wellington Club No. 2 crew did not start. The Wellington crew, with one exception, was the same as won the Ladies' Plate yesterday, Poll taking Spencer's place as bow, and eflected a tremendous surprise by their win in this event. The champions, who started warm favourites, went off with the lead, which they kept for half-a mile, when Crawford went up, and, establishing over a length's lead, won rather easily by three or four lengths. A similar distance separated Queen's Drive and Unions. The water was very lumpy all along the course, and the Star, starting with the bow half full, were a long way in the rear over the whole distance. The Wellington _ men were rowing wonderfully well at the finish. Queen's Drive were very ragged, and without tlioir customary combination. Nothing but admiration is expressed for the form shown by the five crews in the champion fours yesterday, and it is admitted on all sides that any ono of them would bo worthy to represent New Zealand in the intercolonial contest. The Queen's _ Drive won rather more easily than they did last year, but it was the same desperate struggle for the other places.