AQUATICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1266, 4 June 1896, Page 26

AQUATICS.

THE ROWING REPRESENTATIVES.

The New Zealand rowing representatives, with tho exception of Daly, who stayed behind for a week, returned by tho Wakatipu on Tuesday. A large crowd of rowing men and the general public were assembled on the wharf to see them land, aud bid them welcome. Tho Intercolonial Pours Pace itself had been unsatisfactory, and tho team, as one of them expressed it, "Felt worse than if they had been fairly beaten." Referring to the foul which occurred at Gladesville Point, Mr Richardson Hays that the peculiar construction of the river at that place, together with a strong tidal rip that was running, caused tho New Zealand crew, when forced out of their course into it by tho Victorians, to lose ground. Mr Richardson has his own ideas about the matter. Tho Victorians, ho »ays, had been backing their own men very heavily, and it was necessary tor them to win under any circumstances, and, although the judgo decided against the protest, he admitted to Mr Richardaon that he was too far away to see what occurred. The thanks of tin! crew, he adds, are duo to Mr Hobcn for his kindness: to thorn. There was no doubt, however, that the Victorian craw was a very gooJ one, I'hey had very much (.he same style as New Zoaland, except that their reach was a little shorter. Their boat also was a beauty, Icing much lighter than the Now Zealaud ono. They had the advantage over tho New Zealand men also in being good watermen. They negotiated their boat very much bettor than the New Zealand men, who had also the disadvantage of being unaware of the course they were to row over until the nbht before tho race. Tho men complain very much that when they lodged their protest they got no reply until Mr Richardson went ami asked the judge next day. Spoakingof the amateur definition, Mr Richardson said that the matter had not been arranged satisfactorily. A rule had been passed that all persons were eligible oxcept c ish amateur*, but New Zealand crows were nearly all c '. :h amateurs, and they would therefore he barred. New .South Wale* wants a very s riot amateur definition and the others do not; so that tho matter cannot, be. called settled. As regards McCormiek, the general opinion was that if he had not had his boat nearly filled by a steamer passing in front of him, he would Ivivo finished second. The team left for Picton yesterday, whore they are to be banqueted.

Slanbury, tho Australian sculling ciumpion, is training steadily for his race with Harding on tho Thames, and has reduced his weight by Uilbs.