ROWING TITLES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23015, 18 April 1938, Page 16

ROWING TITLES

NEW ZEALAND EVENTS RACES HELD AT WANQANUI POSTPONEMENT OF CONTESTS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WANGANUI, Sunday The New Zealand rowing championships, which were postponed yesterday with only one championship event decided, were not able to be held to-day owing to the unsatisfactory condition of the river. An effort will be made to decide the events to-morrow. The champion fours were actually started this afternoon, but after a little over a mile had been covered the race was called off by the umpire. Union No. 2 crew and Clifton were then about four lengths in- the lead. Three of the other crews were troubled by driftwood in the river. Results of events decided yesterday were as follows: — Light Maiden Fours. —Waitemata (J. Sweeney, P. Vokes, W. Clapham, A. Carbines), 1; "Union (Wanganui). 2; Aramoho, 3. One length; three lengths. Champion Single Sculls, lVi miles; first prize . £l2, second £2.— R. B. Smith (Auckland), 1; C. Campbell (Aramoho), 2; A. Morey (Auckland), 3. Also started: A. K. G Jackson (Wanganui Union), W. McLcod (Poverty Bay), J. Luke (Wellington), T. Hegglun (Wairau). Three lengths; two lengths. From a good start Smith moved into the lead, and held it throughout. Jackson, who was expected to be a strong contender for the title after his recent visit to Australia with the Empire Games crew, found the pace too fast, and could not go with the leaders. Maiden Fours, Open.—Napier (E. Poyntsr, 1,. Dugleby, W. Tucker, G. Silvorwood), I; L'icton, 2; Waitemata, 3. Two feet each way. Maiden Single Sculls. —J. Purcell (Wanganui Union), 1; H. O'Donnell (Wellington), •_>; K. E. May (Star), 3. Four lengths; two lengths. Junior Fours, Welter-weight.—Waitemata (J. Sweeney, P. Vokes, W. Clapham, A. Carbines), 1;' Aramoho, 2; New Plymouth, 3 Length; half a length Maiden Double Sculls.—'Union (1. Mclntyre, D. 13. Purcell), 1; Tauranga, 2; Wellington, 3. Won easily. SUCCESS OF SMITH TWO WINS TO WAITEMATA DRIFTWOOD DAMAGES SKIFFS [by TELEGRAPH OWN correspondent] WANGANUI, Sunday For the third year in succession R. B. Smith, of Auckland, won. the Dominion single sculls title. Heavy rain made the river swollen and much driftwood came down, menacing the lightly-built skiffs and racing craft. This necessitated the postponement of four of the remaining championships. Smith's display was impressive. He won with ease from C. Campbell, of the Aramoho Club, who caused a surprise by filling second position. A. K. G. Jackson, who first won the title ten years ago, was never in the hunt, and was last all the way. The Waitemata Club brought off g. popular double victory in winning ooth the maiden fours and the junior welter-weight fours. The club's representatives were roundly applauded by the crowd for their stout showing. In the open maiden fours Waitemata gained third place. The Tauranga Club was superior in the maiden pairs event and won convincingly by four lengths from Waitemata. The Mercer Club made a great effort in the junior fours, in which 12 crews competed, and was just headed to the pest by half a length. Fourteen crows, the largest field of the day, faced the starter in this open maiden fours. It was a great race all the way and the finish was thrilling and spectacular, Napier winning by a foot from Picton, with Waitemata three feet away, third. In spite of heavy rain all the afternoon, hundreds of < cars were parked along the course, and had it been fine a record crowd would have witnessed the rowing carnival. From 8 o'clock this morning crowds or people, estimated at between 4000 and 5000, waited patiently till noon, when it was announced that an effort would be made to row the championship fours in the afternoon. Another large gathering lined the banks and at 4 o'clock the seven crews, Wanganui Union No. 1 and No. 2, Petone, Star, Wairau, Aramoho and Clifton, faced the starter. All moved away to a good start and when the best part of a mile was covered Union No. 2 was leading with Clifton lying handy. Just above Aramoho Bridge the leading crews struck driftwood and the race w'as called off. Petone was well back when the race was halted. The Star Club's boat was considerably damaged, having struck submerged timber, while the Wanganui Union No. 1 crew lost' a linn off its sk\ff. The races to be decided to-morrow are the champion fours, pairs, double sculls, championship eights and inter-provincial eights. No rain fell today and it is hoped the river will be cleared of driftwood by tomorrow.