AQUATICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 764, 22 October 1886, Page 14

AQUATICS.

/ , ' -■ , *• . (REUTEB’S telegrams)

London, October 14.

William Beach, the Australian sculler, sailed by the Lusitania to-day. He received an ovation from the crowd which had assembled to witness the departure of the vessel.

(SPECIAL TO UNITED PRE33 ASSOCIATION.) London, October 36. $ The Sportsman states that Beach has resolved to retire from aquatic contests, either at Home or abroad. October 18. Hanlan lays claim to the championship ou the strength of Beach’s refusal to meet him in England, and offers to row anyone on the Thames for £SOO---side.

The following is a list of the Star Boating Club’s races for the coming season ;—Fouroared race for novices : distance, three-quar-ters of a mile ; first heat to be rowed November 6th. Junior pairs ; one' mile ; first beat, November 13. Club fours ; one. mile and a half ; December 4. Senior pairs ; one mile ; January 29. Junior sculls ; three-quarters of a mile ; January 29. Senior sculls ; one mile ; February 12. Junior double sculls ; one mile ; February 12. Senior double sculls y one mile; March 26. Club fours (McLean trophy and medals), one mile and a half, and challenge sculls, one mile and a half, date not fixed.

The annual meeting of the Tainui Canoe Club was held on Thursday, 14th October, the captain (Mr Fitz Gerald; in the chair. The annual report gave_a detailed account of the racing events, and the crulse3 of last season. The number of members now on the books is 24, of whom 8 were elected during the year, the number of canoes owned by members being 24. It is' proposed to hold the usual sailing and paddling handicap races this season, at dates to be fixed, It ia suggested that the anneal regatta should fake place in the last week in February, and that there should ba cruises at Christmas in Queen Charlotte Sound and Endeavour lolet, and at Easter in Porirua Harbor and to Kapiti Island. It was resolved that the annual sub.-cription be 10s. Thequestion of adoption of the Royal Canoe Clubrule as to classification of canoe 3 was allowed to stand over, the opinion of all the member® to be taken on it. Mr Sherrill presented a gold paddle pendant to be competed for by paddling canoes on a handicap course on arough day, the object of the donor being to encourage rough water paddliuar. A vote of thaDks was passed to Mr Sherriff. The following gentlemen were elected officers for the ensuing year :—Captain, Dr Rawson ; mate, Mr H. G. S. Harper ; purser, Mr W. Williams. The boating season was formally opened on Saturday afternoon. About 40 boats took part in the procession, the Star Boating Club, Wellington Rowing Club, Tainui CanoeClub and Naval Brigade being well represented, The procession started from theStar Club’s shed about 3 o’c’ock, and proceeded as far ns the baths ia singleline, and thence returned to the shed in pairs. After the procession an afternoon tea was held in the shed, at which about 159 ladies were present. His Excellency the Governor and Major and Miss Jervois were among the guests. Although the weather was very dull aud cold during the afternoon, there was a fair attendance of the public to witcese the proceedings.