Aquatics.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 995, 27 March 1891, Page 16

Aquatics.

By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. THE UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE. (per press association.) London, Maroh 18. Betting on the University boat race has advanced to 2 to 1 on Oxford. London, March 19. Betting is now 9 to 4 on Oxford crew. London, Maroh 21. The University boat race between Oxford and Cambridge eights, rowed over the usual course on the Thames from Putney to Mortlake to-day, resulted in a victory for Oxford by a quarter of a length. Cambridge led at theßtart, but were speedily overtaken by Oxford, and the boats were on even terms on passing under Hammersmith Bridge. Here Cambridge again assumed the lead, and were a quarter of a length to the good opposite Thorneycroft’s at Chiswick. An obstinate and well-fought struggle took place over the remainder of the oourse. Oxford gradually reduced their opponents’ lead, and putting on a final spurt after shooting Barnes Railway Bridge passed the judge’s boat a quarter of a length ahead in 21min 48sec.

The race was the grandest seen for years, and throughout it there never was a clear length between the boats. The latest betting was II to 4 on Oxford. [Oxford have now won 25 times and Cambridge 22 out of the 48 contests which have taken place since the race was first rowed in 1839 when the course was from Westminster to Putney. In 1877 the race resulted in a dead heat. The race last year was won by Oxford by a length in 22min 3sec, and in 1889 by Cambridge by three lengths in 20min 14sec.J PORT NICHOLSON YACHT CLUB. A committee meeting of the Port Nicholson Yacht Club was held on Friday night at the Pier Hotel, at which it was resolved that the first prize in the first-class yacht race next year shall be L 75, and should a foreign yacht compete, LIOO. Consideration of the rules _ of the New Zealand Yacht Racing Association was further deferred for a week. A long communication was received from the Canterbury Yacht Owners’ Association with reierence to the Mima shifting ballast on regatta day, and the secretary was instructed to reply that the evidence collected did not show that the Mima shifted ballast as stated, and to express the regret of the Club that a protest was not made at the proper time to the secretary, and the hope that the action taken by the Club will tend to restore confidence that it does all in its power to ensure fair play.