AUTUMN ROWING REGATTA.

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 8966, 17 April 1890, Page 1 (Supplement)

AUTUMN ROWING REGATTA.

People who were looking forward to and hoping for fine weather for the autumn rowing regatta on Saturday, April 5, had their hopes realised. Shortly before midnight ou Piday a light N.W. breeze; which was blowing fell away to a calm, which lasted till about 8 a.m, on Saturday. At that hour the Regatta Committee met at the Wellington Rowing Club’s shed, and, as there was indication of the wind freshening during the day, they decided to hold the regatta at Pitone. Accordingly the visiting crews, together with members of the city Clubs, at once set to work and got their boats to Waterloo quay, where they were placed on some trucks and taken to Pitone, which was reached at 10.30, The first race on the pro. gramme was set down for 11 o’clock, but as the Mana (which was bringing up the Star crew) did not reach Pitone before noon, the race was postponed to their arrival. On the Maua’a arrival, it was found that the Star Boating Club’s members entered for the races were not all on board, and they were accordingly scratched for the Four-oared Ir.rigged Gig and Junior Four-oared Outriggers, lor which they were entered, It is to be regretted that all the members did not turn up, as they had been practising together for some time, and might have made it very merry for the other crews. The first race was got off at noon. Following are the results:— Maiden Four-oared In rigged G igs. Distance, one mile. Prize, £B, , Union Boating Club, Wanganui.— M. Barr, (stroke), J. Poyuter (3), F. Tasker (2), A. Townsend (bow) ... 1 Wakatu Boating Club, Nelson—W. McConkie (stroke), W. Borough (3), S Freeman (2), M. Quibble (how), 0. Brown (cox) 2 The following crew.from the Wellington Bowing Club also competed:—W, Barber (stroke), 0. Jenkins (3), E. Barber (2), T, Goer (bow), H. Dix (cox). All the boats got away to a capital start, and the Union (Wanganui) soon obtained a slight lead, while the others kept close together. The Unions gradually forged ahead, and eventually won by two lengths from the Wakatu Club. Wellington a little distance away, finished last. “Pearce” Champion Sculls; distance, two miles; prizes, silver cup valued at £ls, and the amateur sculling championship of New Zealand. The winner to hold the Pearce challenge vase for one year. T, Sullivan (Wellington Rowing Club),.. 1 T. McKay (Wellington Rowing Club) ... 2 In this race three boats started, W. Bridson, ’ of the Wellington Rowing Club, being the third away. The start was fairly even, Sullivan, if anything, obtaining a slight lead, which he kept right through, ultimately winning by a length and a half from McKay. After going about 400yds, •Bridson, who has been suffering from “la grippe,” was compelled to give in. Sullivan rowed a pretty raoe from start to finish. Tb'e result was a surprise, most people favouring McKay; but, on the other hand, many knew that Sullivan would make it very fast for the other two. He rowed in a boat built by Mr George Norton, of this city. Maiden Sculps in practice clinkers. Distance, one mile. Prizes, first, Mr Barr’s picture; second, trophy, Wellington Rowing Club-T. Goer ... 1 Oriental Boating Club—R. G, Renner ... 2 These were the only two starters Goer obtained a lead at the start, which he kept throughout, and won by four lengths. Junior Double Sculls. Distance, one mile. Prise, £5. Oriental Boating Club—E, C. Renrer (stroke), T. W, Twist (bow), A. Bendall (cox) ... ... 1 A crew from the Wellington Rowing Club —(Messrs G. Parsons and W. Fraser) —also competed, but, after going some distance, the stretcher in their boat carried away, which, allowed, the Oriental crew- to win. as they liked. Senior Poir-oared Outriggers. Distanoe, two miles. Prizes, first, £ls and four silver medals ; second, £5. Wellington Rowing Club—T. McKay (stroke), T. Sullivan (3), E. Rose-(2), W. Bridson (bow) ... ... ... 1 This was the only entry, and they accord iugly had- “ a walk over.” Junior Four-oared Outriggers. Distance, two miles. Prize, £lO. Wakatu Boating Club, T. Johnson (stroke), E. Hale (3), W. Stewart (2), W: Fowler (bow), E. Brown (cox) .. 1 Wellington Rowing Club, W. Barber (stroke), C. Jenkins (3), E. Barber (2), T. Goer (bow), H. Dix (cox) ... ... 2j Both crews got away well together and I

kept on even terms till within a quarter of a mile from home, when the Wakatus made a great sport and won the race by two lengths. Bemior Double Sculls, Distance, one miie and a half. Prize, £6. Wellington Rowing Ciub, T. McKay (s toke), W. Bridton (Oow) ... ... 1 Star Boating Club, A. \V. Newton (stroke), J. E. Hume (bow) 2 A very even start was elieotad, Wellington, if anything, obtaining a slight advantage, which they carried right through, passing the winning line four lengths ahead of the Stars. Ladies’ Plate.— Four - oared coxswain, carrying outriggers. Distance, two miles. Prize, £lO. Wakata Boating Club (Nelson), T. Johnson (stroke), E. Hale (3), W. Stewart 2), W. Fowler (bow, E. Brown (cox) I Star Boating Club, A. W. Newton (stroke), F, Pownall (3), A. R- Kennedy (2), C. Richardson (bow), F. Hnme( cox) ... ... ... ... 2 Both crews got away well together. The Wakatus at once forged ahead, and after going about half the distance, were a length to the good. The Stars made some grand spurts, but were unable to overtake the Wakatus, who won by two lengths. Senior Four-oared Ineigged Gigs. Distance two miles. Prizes—First, £10; second, £4. Wellington Rowing Club—T. McKay (stroke), T. Sullivan (3), E. Rose (2), W. Bridson (bow), H. Dix (onx) ... I Wakatu Boaiiug Club (Nelson) —T. Johnson (stroke), £ Hale (3), W. Stewart (2), W. Fowler tbo.-v), E. Brown (cox) 2 The Union (Wangonu Boating Clnb, consisting of M. Barr (stroke), J. Poynter (3), F. Tasker (2), A. Townsend (bow), also competed and finished third. All the boats got away well together and kept on pretty even- terms till when about SOO yards from home, when the Wellingtons went away and won by two lengths, the Wakatus second, Unions olose up third. It was intended to row the 'Senior PairOared Outriggers race, but it had to- be postponed for two weeks owing to the lateness of the hoar when the other races were finished. Nothing occurred duting the day to mar the enjoyment of those who witnessed or took part in the regatta. Mr E. C. Batkin acted as starter, and Mr J. Rose as judge. Mr A. G. Johnson was umpire, but happily his services were not required as everything went off without a bitch. A word of praise is due to Mr H. Hyams, the indefatigable, secretary, who did all in his power to ensure the success of the regatta. THE SMOKE CONCERT. The visiting crews were entertained at a smoke concert, which was held at the Post Office Hotel on Saturday evening. There was a good attendance, Mr A. G. Johnson (Captain of the Wellington Rowing Club) occupying the chair. The hea'th of tbo Queen having been drunk, tho Chairman proposed “ The Winners,” which was responded to by W. Bridson (Wellington), T. Johnson (Wakatu), 11. C. Renner (Oriental), and M. Barr (Wanganui). The unsuccessful competitors’ toast was responded to by Mr J. E. Hume (Star), who said ho hoped that by next year his Club would be on a different footing, and attain the position which they had held in past years. “Tho Visitors” was proposed by A. W. Newton and responded toby Mr Healey (Union). Songs and recitations were given during the evening by Captain Falconer and Meters T. Johnson, J. K. Hume, W. Fraser, Rapley, J. B. Speed, J. Low, F. Evans, Davidson, H. Hyams and the Chairman. The other toasts of the evening were those of “The Amateur Champion,” proposed by Mr M, C. Barnett, and responded to by iha winner ; “ The ex-Champion, MrT. McKay,” and that of “W. Hearn, ex-Charnpioa Sculler of Now. Zealand.” A very pleasant evening was brought to a close shortly after 11 o’clock by the singing of “ Auld lang syne.”