Aquatics.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1024, 16 October 1891, Page 37

Aquatics.

OPENING OF THE BOATING SEASON. Congratulations mu9t be offered to the membora of the rowing clubs of We liugton and the public generally on the fine weather which prevailed on Saturday, the opening of the season. A light southerly breeze, just sufficient to temper the warm rays of the sun shining in an almost cloudless sky, was almost more than could have been desired, and in consequence the wharf aud the Star and Wellington Clubs' sheds were crowded. Afloat, tho tiny wavelets dancing in the raj’B of the sun, aud the numerous craft propelled by gaily bedizened oarsmen ; ashore, summer costumes in every conceivable colour and shade and design, combined to produce bs brilliant a spectacle as can be imagined. Long before the hour fixod for the starting of the procession the various crews were out in their respective crafts —here the well manned Toipedo and Navals cutters, there the flimsy shell or the long snake-like four-oar, guided with seemingly miraculous precision amidst the myriads of other boats by the juvenile coxswains. At length everything is ready for tho a 1 art, and tho gay pageant advances in a long, sinuous line, tho Torpedo cutter first, followed by about fifty other boats :—The Wellington Navals and Petone Navals cutters ; the Star, Wellington, and Oriental tvbalers ; Wellington aud Star out* rigged and inrlgged fours ; Wellington, Star, and Oriental double sculls ; Wellington, Star, and Oriental paifa ; Wellington and Star scullors ; Wellington and Star tub pairs ; followed by pleasure boats and canoes galore. Proceeding in a southerly direction, the procession advanced as far as Fitz Gerald a Point, and thenoe returned, headed by the Naval and Torpedo cutters, in a slightly different order. The larger cm ft saluted the presidents of the respective Clubs by the crews “tossing” their oars in the orthodox fashion. The occupants of the racing boats and the coxswains raised th6ir caps instead, while scullors, to whom the operation of “ tossing ’ might be conducive to a spill, ceased from rowing while passing the saluting point. Then all the crews, and scullers, and canoists, &c., crowded round the Star shed skids, and Mr A. Do B. Brandon (representing Mr E Pearce, president of the t tar Club, the oldest Club in Wellington, who was unable to be present) declared the season open, and wished success to all tho Clubs. Cheers having been given for Mr Brandon, who is President of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, the absent Mr Pearce, and of course “ The Ladies,” refreshments were served to the fair sex in the Wellington and Star sheds, and, after listening to tho music of tho Bugle Band and Mr Jupp’s private band, everybody went homo thoroughly pleased with the manner in which everything had passed off—a fact due to the unremitting exertions of the Marshalls, Messrs G. F. C. Campbell and P. P. Webb.

Mr W. Bri Ison has been nominated by the Wellington Rowing Club for the Victorian Amateur Sculliiig Championship, which will bo rowed at Melbourne on the 9th of next month. Mr Bridson holds the Amateur Sculling Championship under the rules of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, and is one of the best known amateur oarsmen in the Colony. Twice he competed for the Amateur Sculling Championship; the first year he was beaten by Tom Sullivan, and last year ho won easily. He was a member of the famous four-oarecl and pair-oared crews from the Wellington Club, which, during the time they kept together, had such a splendid career. The good wishes of all lovers of aquatics in Wellington will follow Mr Bridson to the other side. Tho drawing of the heats for the Club Fours, Wellington Rowing Club, resulted as follows :—T. Goer v. C. Hooke; J. B, Speed v. W. Barber; M. F. Marks v. G. S. Hill; S. Waters v. H. Gamble; G. Little v. W. Wilson ; F. Evans v. G. Rountree ; E. J. Barber v, H. Beale. W. Simm drew a bye.

LAKE TAKAPUNA REGATTA. (press association.) Auckland, October 11. The Auckland Rowing Association held a regatta, comprising four races, at Lake Takapunn on Saturday The principal feature of the gathering was tho presehoe of Tom Sullivan, the sculler, who rowed on the Lake. All tho races Were well eontested. The senior gig race was won by St George’s Boating Club crew. There was a largo attendance of the public. (press association.) London, October 12. East rows Perkins at Newcastle, in November, for L4OO and the Sportman’s Challenge Cup.