Aquatics.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 992, 6 March 1891, Page 25

Aquatics.

WELLINGTON AUTUMN REGATTA. The entries for the Wellington Autumn Regatta, which takes place next Saturday, closed on Saturday evening, and are as follows : Pearoe Sculls.—Star Beating Club, Wellington Rowing Club. Maiden Fours. — Union Boating Club (Wanganui), Star Boating Club, Wellington Rowing Club (two crews). Senior Fours (Outrigged).—Star Boating Club, Union Boating Club (Wanganui), Wellington Rowing Club, Wakatu Boating Club (Nelson), Canterbury Rowing Club. Maiden Double Sculls, to be rowed in heats. —Star Boating Club (two crews), Wellington Rowing Club; Oriental Boating Club. Senior Double Sculls. —Star Boating Club, Wellington Rowing Club, Canterbury Rowing Club. Junior Fours (outriggers).—Star Boating Club, Union Boat Club (Wanganui), Lyttelton Rowing Club, Wellington Rowing Club. Senior Pairs.—Star Boating Club, Weilington Rowing Ulub, Canterbury Rowing Club. Ladies’ Plate.—Star Boating Club, Union Boat Club (Wanganui), Lyttelton Rowing Club, Wellington Rowing Club. Senior Fours (inrigged).—Star Boating Club, Union Boat Club (Wanganui), Wellington Rowing Club, Wakatu Boating Club.

WANGANUI CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA. (PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.) Wanganui, March 2. The weather is still (10.20 a.m.) very threatening, and the water on the river is almost too choppy for outrigger rowing. The s.s. Murray, which has the Wakatu crew onboard, was expected to cross the bar early this morning, but she has not yet shown up, and will not be able to cross till 2 o’clock, and her crew, therefore, will be too late to take part in the Championship Fours unless the event is postponed. Several heavy showers fell during the morning, but the wind has now (12.40 p.m.) dropped, and the water is quite smooth. The attendance of the public is not very large. 8 P.M. As the afternoon wore on the_ clouds passed away, and the sun came out brightly, but the strong wind interfered greatly with the success of the gathering. When the weather changed the public rolled up in large numbers, a half holiday being obseiwed in town, and the banks os the river at every point of vantage. The racing throughout the day was most exciting, and even the scratch races got up between members of the local clubs resulted in some very close finishes. The course for the Junior Fours and Ladies’ Plate was altered so that advantage could be taken of the smooth water lower down the river. Of the four crews who reached the starting-point for the Championship Fours, three were swamped, the Canterbury boat being the only one that escaped this experience. On returning to the sheds the Stars had the misfortune to knock a small hole in their outrigger, but she was soon patched up and ready for the Junior Fours. Champion Sccjlls, in best-and-best boats. Distance, one mile and a half. Prize, £5. Bridson, Wellington Rowing Club 1 Bailey, Auckland ... ... ... ... 2 Braithwaite, Union, Wanganui ... ... _ 3 This was an exceedingly tame affair. Bridaon jumped away with the lead, and had not

the slightest difficulty In keeping several lengths in front. Bailey gained a couple of lengths on Braithwaite at the start, and kept it until the Railway Bridge, when the local man attempted to catch him, but without success, From this out Bridson simply paddled home, passing the winning post ten lengths ahead of Bailey, who had two lengths from Braithwaite. Time, llmin 44 2-slh sec. Maiden Inrigged Fours. ‘ Distance, one mile. First prize, £8 ; second, £2. Wellington Rowing Club—H. Barber (bow), W. Wilson (2); M. F. Marks (3); C. Jenkins (stroke), A. Burns (cox) ... 1 Union Boating Club—Keegan (bow) ; Cronan (2); Halloran (3); O’Sbannessy (stroke); Butler (cox) 2 Wanganui Boating Club—Bullock (bow); Wigzell (2); Atkins (3); Fookes (stroke); Duigan (cox) ... ... ... 3 Star Boating Club—J. Mills (bow) ; A. C. Sproule (2); F. Murison (3); W. Duncan (stroke); Widdop (cox) ... 0 Won, after a magnificent race, by two feet. The Stars got the best of a capital start, but they soon fell away, giving place to the Unions and Wellingtons. At half way the Stars were a long distance in the rear, the Unions and Wellingtons being on equal terms. Wanganui were lying third, over a length behind, but it was evident they would not be dangerous. A desperate race ensued between the Unions and Wellingtons, the boats going stroke for stroke without either gaining the slightest advantage. A hundred yards from home O’Shannessy, stroke of the Unions, spurted, and Jenkins replied with a very quick stroke. This had the desired effect, and he landed his crew winners by a couple of feet. Wanganui were about three lengths behind, and the Stars ten lengths. Time, 6min 37sec.

In the first heat of the College race the Union crew beat the boys by a quarter of a length.

JUNIOR Fours (outrigged). One mile and a half. Prizes, LlO and L2. Star Boating Club—C. E. Richardson (bow), W. Wiggins (2), H. W. Pownall (3), F. Pownall (stroke), Warran (cox.) 1 Union—Keegan (bow), Cronin (2), Halloran (3), O’Shannessy (stroke), Butler (cox) 2 Unions—Rankin (bow), Poynter (2), W. J. Mahoney (3), Rodwell (stroke), Miller (cox) ... ... ... ... ... 3 Wellington Rowing Club (Same as -Maidens) 0 The Stars had the inside water, Wellingtons being next, O’Shannessy’s crew being on the outside in the middle of the stream. The Stars jumped away with the Btart, the other three boats keeping on pretty even terms. After about three - quarters of a mile had been traversed the Stars, pulling a grand stroke, had gained a lead of over three lengths, but the other crews were close together, Wellington being about a quarter of a length in front of the two local combinations, who were rowing stroke for stroke. At the mile post Wellington fell away, and O’Shannessy, passing Rodwell’s crew, gained rapidly on the Stars. The latter, however, replied with a fine spurt, and won a splendid race by two lengths, O’Shannesy being half a length in front of Rodwell, who was nearly a length ahead of Wellington. The race for second place was a magnificent one, and for quite a mile there was not three feet between the three boats. The time was lOmin 28sec. Ladies’ Plate, outrigged. One mile and a half. Prizes, Ll2 and L 3. Union Boating Club—Rankin (bow), Poynter (2), Mahoney (3), Rodwell (stroke), Miller (cox) ... 1 Wellington Rowing Club (same as Maidens) 2 Star Boating Club —Cooper (bow), M. C. Barnett (2), Field (3), Kennedy (stroke) Widdop (cox)... ... ... ... ... 3 The Stars being fresh, while the other two crews had pulled a hard race less than an hour before, were installed warm favourites. They went off with the lead, pulling a rattling Stroke, but at the quarter-mile post Wellington caught them. The Unions were out in the stream, and appeared to be about even with the Stars. At the bend, however, the Unions gained a considerable distance, and took the lead; Wellington passing the Stars and usurping second position. From this home there was no alteration in the places, and Rodwell passed the judge’s flag two lengths in front of Wellington, who beat the Stars by a similar distance.

The Champion Fours have been postponed, the wind having risen again and made the water on the champion course too rough for outrigger rowing. The crews paddled up to the starting point, but it was considered not safe to send them away. The weather now promises to be favourable for to-morrow’s events. It has been decided to row either the Champion Fours or the teenier Inrigged Fours at nine o’clock in the morning, leaving the other events for- the afternoon. , Wanganui, March o. The Murray got over the bar early this morning, and at daylight the Wakatus had a serviceable spin on the river. The morning broke threatening, but the water in the river was all that could be desired, and the committee decided to get off the Champion Fours, leaving the Inrigged Fours for to-morrow morning at 9 o’clock. In spite of the early hour the banks were lined with spectators, and the greatest interest manifested in the big event. In the afternoon the weather was almost perfect, and better water could not be desired. . Champion Fours (with coxswains). Distance two miles. First prize, L 25 ; second prize, LlO. Wellington Rowing Club—Darby (bow), Waters (2), Bridson (3), Rose (stroke), Burns (cox) > ... 1 Canterbury—Macbeth (bow), Speight (2), Daly (3), Laurie (stroke), Hobbs (cox) ... 2 Stars—Biss (bow), Duncan (2), Bendall (3) Newton (stroke), Widdop (cox) 3 Wakatus—Westrupp (bow), Stewart (2), Hale (3), Johnson (stroke), Brown (cox) 0 Unions—Carroll (bow), Barr (2), Keegan (3), Bates (stroke), Butler (cox) 0 'The race was rowed »t dead low water, so neither crew had much advantage of positions. The Canterbury were the favourites, Wellington and the Unions being the next fancied. A good start was effected, but the Canterbury bow twice miaasd water, and this put his crew a few feet beflnd. However, they soon picked up, and by the time a dozen strokes was pulled they and the Wellingtons had nearly a quarter of a length lead from the others, who were all on pretty even terms. At the quartermile these two crews had increased their advantage about a length, the Stars lying third, and the Wakatus and Unions level. The pace was terrific, and told severely on the three crews in the rear, who gradually dropped further astern. When half - way home, Rose spurted, and managed to gain half a length from Canterbury, the Wakatus also shaking off the Unions. A couple of hundred yards further on Wellington had a clear length, and the race was never in doubt atterwards. Wellington passing the post two lengths in front of Canterbury, who beat the Stars by three lengths, a similar distance separating the Stars and Wakatus. The Unions were hopelessly in the rear. For about a mile the race between Canterbury and Wellington was a grand one, and until half way they were pulling stroke for stroke. _ Time, lOmin 17 2-3rd sec, the fastest time since the Champion Race was instituted. Champion Pairs (outriggers); best-and-best-boats; distance one and a half miles. Prize, DIO. Wellington Rowing Club —E. J. Rose (stroke) W. Bridson (bow) 1 Star—Newton (stroke), Bendall (bow) ... 2 Canterbury 3 Wellington jumped away with the lead, and maintained the advantage to the finish. The Stars pushed them a little for the first 400 yards, but after that the race was merely a procession, the Wellingtons winning by five lengths from the Stars. The Canterbury pair, who were beaten from the Btart, were eight lengths behind the Stars. Time, 9min 3Ssec. In the final heat of the Collegiate Race the Wanganui crew beat thef Union crew by a length. Champion Double Sculls ; one mile and a half. Prize, LlO. Stars—A. S. Biss (bow), J. G-. Duncan (stroke)... ... ••• ••• 1 Canterbury—N. S. Macbeth (bow), J. G. Dayly (stroke) ... -•• ••• . ••• 2 Wellington—J. Darby (bow), W. Bridson

(stroke)... ... ... ... _ ... ••• 3 The Wellingtons were favourites. For a hundred yards the Stars held a slight lead, but after that Canterbury and Wellington passed them and rowed a level race for a short distance. Nearing the bend just above the railway bridge Wellington were leading by over a length, Canterbury coming next nearly a length in front of the Stars. At the bend the Stars, who had the inside water, shot out into the stream, and gaining the full force of the current soon got ahead of the other boats who hugged the shore. Wellington kept close into the bank, and soon fell to the rear of Canterbury. A quarter of a mile from home Canterbury also steered for mid-stream, and Daly, with a slashing stroke, rapidly came up on the Stars. This move, however, was taken too late, aud the Stars won with a length to spare. Through keeping close to the bank the "Wellingtons were completely out of the race, and-finished’about eight lengths behind Canterbury. The Senior Inrigged Fours, for which the Wakatus are favourites, will be rowed at 9.30 to-morrow morning. Up to the present the Wellington Rowing Club has won three championships and B 5 1; t.he Stars one championship and L2O; the Uhions (Wanganui) 816, and Canterbury LlO. PRESENTATION OF PRIZES. The presentation of prizes took place tonight at the interval of an amateur performance by the local Operatic Society.. The prizes were presented by Mr S. T. Fitzherbert, the President of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association. The winners of the Champion Fours were accorded a big

reception, and sentiments expressing regret at the delay in the arrival of the Wakatus were exceptionally well received by the audience. Mr Fitzherbert remarked that the form shown by tho Star Junior Fours’ crew was the best he had ever seen for juniors, and he thought many senior crews might well take a lesson from them. Mr Bridson’s performance, he said, was a great one, and any club might well be proud of a man who could win the Sculls, Champion Fours, and Pair Oar, and only loose the Double Sculls by a piece of bad luck. In his opinion Mr Bridson was the piemier oarsman of the Colony. A word of praise was also due to the Canterbury crew for the game race they rowed for the championship. The Wakatus, Wellingtons, and Stars leave for Wellington to-morrow, and the Union crews, which are to take part in the Wellington Regatta, will probably go by Thursday’s train. ANOTHER WELLINGTON CLUB VICTORY. Wanganui, March 4. Senior Inrigged Fours ; distance two miles. First prize, Ll2 ; second prize, L 5. Wellington Rowing Club —J. Darby (bow), S. Waters (No. 2), W. Bridson (No. 3), E. J. Rose (stroke), Burns (cox) ... ... 1 Stars—A. S. Biss (bow), J. D. Duncan (No. 2), W. E. Bendall (No. 3), A. Newton (stroke), E. Widdop (cox) ... ... 2 Wakatus—Johnson (stroke), Hale (3), Stewart (2), Westrupp (bow), Brown (cox) ••• 3 Unions —Carroll (bow), Barr (No. 2), Keegan (No. 3), Bates (stroke), Butler (cox) _ 4 There was grand water for this race. Bridson was known to be rather stale after yesterday’s exertions, and the Wellington Rowing Club crew was expected to suffer in consequence. The Wakatus were warm favourites. The Wellingtons had the inside water, the Stars next, the Wakatus and Unions being in midstream. The Wakatus went off with the lead, followed by the Unions and Stars, with the Wellingtons next. At the quarter of a mile the Wellingtons came with a rush, and gaining a clear leugth from the Stars, who held second place, took mid stream. The Wakatus were only a short distance behind the Stars, and it wa3 evident it v'as . going to be a big race for second place. By the time the bridge was reached, the "Wellingtons had over three lengths to the good, but the Stars were still rowing all they knew to keep ahead of the Wakatus. About three quarters of a mile from home, the Wakatus spurted, and made a gallant attempt to catch the Stars, but the latter replied in fine style, and succeeded in staving off the Nelson men. At this juncture the Unions had dropped very tar to the rear, and the Wellingtons were rowing well within themselves. The Wakatus stuck gamely to the Stars till the finish, but it was of no avail. When the judge|s flag fell the Wellingtons were six lengths in front of the Stars, who were nearly a couple of lengths from the Wakatus, The Unions were a considerable distance behind. Time, llmin 4isec. "On arrival at the sheds Bridson was rushed by a number of members of tho local and visiting Clubs, and carried shoulder high to a carriage. The win in the Senior Inrigged Fours brings the Wellington winnings up to L 63 ; those of the Stars to L 25. There is a probability that the Union Club will not send a crew for the Senior Fours at the Wellington Regatta O’Shannessy’s four are likely to go for the Maiden, Junior Fours, and Ladies’ Plate.

Auckland, March 2. A boat race in the harbour between crews representing H.M.S. Curaeoa and the Auckland Naval Artillery was won by the warship crew, after an excellent contest. The following crews have been picked for the Wellington Rowing Club coxswains’ race, to be rowed on Monday, 9th inst. Plunkett (stroke) and A. Wighton (bow) rows H. Dix (stroke) and P. King (bow); T. Dix (stroke! and W. King (bow) rows Compton (stroke) and Rose (bow): Gibbs (stroke) and Burns (bow) rows R. Wighton (stroke) and C. Dix (bow).