OPENING OF THE ROWING SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 13004, 23 October 1905, Page 6

OPENING OF THE ROWING SEASON.

PROCESSION IN THE HARBOUR. Tux -olßeial- opening of the rowing season in Auckland took place in the harbour on Saturday afternoori, when there was a procision of boats from the-various rowing-

•lubs. • The weather was fine, but the wind being sprnt-what strong froro the westward made the water a bit lumpy for the gigs.

Tliera was, however,

a large muster of boats

, , . '» - for the occasion. . North Shore Rowing Club was not represented, their boats not jot being in readiness, and owing to an un- " fortunate mistake as to seniority in the allocating of positions Waitemata Boating Club declined to take part in the proceedings. Mr. H. A. Marriner, president of the Auckland Rowing Association, ' was the marshal of the day, assisted by Messrs. John Clark, D. Donlop, F. E. N. Crorabie and members of the executive of the association. The oil yacht Waitiri had been kindly placed at the disposal of the association by Mr. H. H. Kayr, \ and * with the officials on. boardlleftt t the Queen-street Wharf shortly before three p.m. and proceeded down as fai as Judge'* Bay to hasten St. George's crews up to the (starting point for ithe procession. A call wi- then made off Waitemata's boatfaouse, and from the inquiries made by the crews as to what were the positions to be taken up, it appeared that th* club thought the had • pievance as to the question of seniority I according to the programme laid down, would not participate in the proceedings, Th* Waitiri then proceeded up to the Railway Wharf, by wbiok time the crews from th» dubs had put' in an appearance. The Water being smooth to the eastward of the wharf, Mr. Marriner gave the order for the Mart, St.* George's Rowing Club being the fas* to be sent away, the crows comprising one ,-whakboat and. four gigs. ' West End :■' followed with one whaleboat, seven gigs and eneiiair-oar boat. Auckland had one whaleboat, three gigs and two sculling boats. Proceeding up the harbour in single file «*ry good order was maintained, there beins an . absence of racing, for which the craws are to be complimented. On the 2ueen-Btreet Wharf and the Tyser liner Interna, berthed at the eastern t»e of the ' wharf, a large crowd had assembled to wit*em the procession. ..The boats went up to the westward of Hdbson-street Wharf, and rounding the hulk' Senator proceeded down H» harbour, ; each club being in line abreast, witfjThe" wteteboftts on "the outside, and as really good order was maintained throughout the boats made a fine appearance. After : . «>ing down to the eastward of the Railway Wharf all the boats participating in the ': proceedings returned to the inside of the •astern tee of the Queen-street Wharf, and Mustered around the Waitiri, when Mr. Marriner declared the season opened, the erews of, the boats responding with three Hearty cheers, 1 which were followed by three i lusty cheers for t Mr. Marriner and the Auckland, Rowing Association. The boats i then dispersed,' the crews making for their . boathousee in very quick time. ' '