Aquatics.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 978, 28 November 1890, Page 16

Aquatics.

EVENTS TO COME. Akaroa Regatta—l6tli December Nelson Regatta—2Gth December (Boxing Day) Lyttelton Regatta -Ist January Christchurch Regatta Wellington Regatta Championship Regatta at Auckland—3lst January

NOTES(by viking). Matters in connection with the proposed Championship Regatta at Auckland seem to have got into a most unsatisfactory state. I could not help thinking when the Rowing Association passed a resolution .in favour of alloting it to Auckland that it would lead to complications in the absence of any strongly expressed desire on the part of the rowing men of that city. The position of affairs, I believe, is thin, that the Clubs in Auckland affiliated to the Association, viz., Auckland, West End, and St George’s Rowing Clubs, having had a meeting, jointly declined the responsibility of conducting the Regatta for the reason that owing to there being no outrigged boats on the Waitemata, public support would be found wanting to a regatta in which only foreign clubs were competing. That this was not the unanimous opinion of the members of the various clubs is proved by the fact that proposals are being made to the Regatta Committee which undertakes the conduct of the Anniversary Regatta on the 22nd January asking them to undertake the Rowing championship. The Secretary of the Association informs me that unless he he hears definitely from Auckland that they are in a position to hold the championship he will call a meeting of delegates at once to consider the aspect of affairs, and possibly re.allot the championships. The position of affairs is not at all a satisfactory one and I think the delegates of clubs affiliated to the Association recognizing their mistake, should agree to the championship events being rowed in some central locality. Wanganui, in my opinion, would be the most suitable place, combining readiness of access with a good course for racing. Since the foregoing was written the Regatta Committee in the northern city have resolved to undertake the task of controlling the championships, and have fixed the 31st January as the date. This is so far satisfactory and I hope will result a successful gathering of representatives from all the various centres in the Colony. The Aucklanders, I believe, desire that an inrigged four oared race should be added to the list of events, and I think the Association would do well to agree to this because it would cause a great deal more interest to be taken in the proceedings in Auckland, which is , the home of inrigged rowing.

The final heat of the Junior Fours (Wellington Rowing Club) was rowed last night week, when F. Evans (stroke), Shields (3), Wilson (2),. Freeman (bow) defeated G. B. Nicholls (stroke), G. Robinson (3), J. Rosb (2), H. Rose (bow) by two lengths. T. Dix steered the winning crew. Mr Kempthorne acted as judge, and Mr S. Hfx as starter. The Vice-president of the Club has presented a handsome marble clock for competition amongst tbe members. The idea of holding a regatta in Auckland this season, at which the N.Z.A.R, A. Championships are to be decided, is ap. patently not to be abandoned after all. From a correspondent we learn that the three affiliated clubs in the Northern capital, feeling unable to undertake the responsibility of oarrylng out a meeting, asked the Regatta Club if they would be willing to incorporate it in their annual sailing regatta to be held on January 29th. A meeting of the latter body was called for last Tuesday week to discuss the matter, and Mr Roskruge, of the Star Club, who happened to be in Auckland on n visit, ana Mr H, Hyams, late secretary

of the Wellington Club, now resident", in Auckland, both attended with the objeot of finding out the position of. affairs and tendering any Information they possessed. They were cordially received by the meeting and asked to give their views on the subject, and explaiu how matters stood between the various bodies. Mr Roskruge said he was one of the delegates present at the meeting of the N.Z.A.R. A., and the ilea in giving the championship to Auokland this year was to strengthen tbe Association’s foothold there, and to foster outrigger rowing j it being felt that by so doing the elubs at present not affiliated would be induced to join. Tho meeting did not seem to think it worth while to take up the matter, as outrigger rov/ing was not in vogue iu Auckland, and the races would be confined to outsiders. Mr Hyams pointed out that inrigged races wonld have to be put in to fill up the programme, besides which delegates from tho rowing clubs informed him that two of the three at least would get outriggers in time for use if the regatta were held in Auckland. He also pointed oat in reply to the objection that sufficient funds might not be available, that the entrance money from outside clubs, of whom a good many might be expected, would amount to a considerable sum. Mr Hyams further offered to render any assistance in his power in the way of preparing programme, etc., and in carrying out the regatta. After thanking Messrs Hyams and Roskruge for their attendance and information, tbe meeting adjourned-for a week to enable members to get the feeling of the public. STAR BOATING CLUB. A special general meeting of the Star Boating Club was hold at the Club’s shed on Tuesday night. There wasa large attendance, Mr A. de B. Btaudon (captain) presided during portion of the meeting, and ou his leaving Mr E. Jackson (deputy-captain) took his p'ace. The action of the Committee in fining a member of tho Club for taking a non-member resident in Wellington out in a Club boat waa discussed, and a motion that the member should also have been censured failed to meet with support, and on being put was lost. Iu accordance with notice, Mr E. Jackson moved “ That this meeting is of opinion that a branch shed should be erected at Kaiwhara, and the Committee is hereby authorised to have the work carried out. ’ The Secretary (Mr A. S. Biss) seconded the motion. Both the mover and seconder pointed out that it was impossible fot the crews to row in town when the wind was northerly, and consequently the men were unable to keep up their training. It was also necessary that crews visiting Wellington should be able to get some practice, which they could not do in town if the wind-was northerly. After a little discussion the motion was put and oarried. Plans of the proposed shed were submitted and approved, and it was understood that the Committee would at onoe call for tenders. Mr R. H. Govett moved:—“That the resolution passed at the general meeting on the 10th October authorising the committee to expend the President’s donation of £2O in the purchase of a trophy for tbe Senior Fours, etc , eto.,” be rescinded; (2) “That the abovementioned donation of £2O, and the £lO now appearing on the Club’s books as a liability for the purchase of Club plate be expended in ereoting oak panels, on which shall be placed the names of past and future winning crews.” Mr Biss, in seconding the motions, said the system of keeping records of all the victorious crews was in practice in the public schools and universities in England, and he thought it ought to be started here. An amendment was moved by Mr M. Chapman that the question of the expenditure of the money be postponed until the annual meeting In September. Several members that the money Bhould be spent in purchasing rowing machines. The Secretary pointed out that he was now corresponding with an American firm with a view to purchasing several maohines if the price was satisfactory. He did not thiak that the sum presented by Mr Pearce should be spent in plant. On being put the motions were carried, Mr Chapman’s amendment being lost. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. THE YACHTING SEASON. The yachting season having now fairly got under weigh it is intended to take steps in the direction of holding the Anniversary Regatta. Monday next has been selected for the first night of meeting, which will be attended by Mr Levin, tbe Commodore of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club, Mr E. W. Mills, the Vice-Commodore. and Mr W. H. Quick, the Rear-Commodore. His Worship the Mayor has been asked to preside, and, as usual, it is intended that the meeting shall be of a thoroughly representative character. With such a very successful opening day as the P.N.Y.C. had on the 15th inst., yachtsmen have become most enthusiastic, and considerable speculation is indulged in as to the operation of the new measurement rules. It is expected that the new style of rating will affect yachting beneficially, and make this port supreme iu this respect in the Colony. The Club’s measurers have not yet got to work, *but directly the rules are printed Messrs McKeegan and Smith will proceed with their duties, and yachtsmen will no doubt afford them every facility iu the task of measuring. It will be necessary of course that yaohts should, for the purpose of measurement, have their racing spars set up. There is a very good balance in hand from last year’s regatta, so that with the usual energy this year of the energetic canvassers which the P.N.Y.C. is so fortunate in possessing, the success of the coming regatta may be assured. The Club is especially fortunate in possessing many enthusiastic members too, who work in the belief that to enoourage yachting is to farther the interests of the port, and that the encouragement of aquation generally i* most desirable in a maritime country suob as New Zealand. THE AMATEUR CHAMPIONSHIPS. (from: our own correspondent.) Auckland, November 25. ' The Regatta Committee have decided to carry out the New Zealand Amateur Rowing

Asaooiatlon championship* *nd the official programme will be iwLd • * about a week’s time. The Weiimnvf’N, ,B nave promised to join the A««ooUtiou\. C iv b result of the foregoing. A strnn* is at work,: and Mr H. Hy.m B tu“r& te * lingtoD, is acting as assistant secretary 6 j preparing a programme. ar y and