AQUATICS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 9742, 24 October 1892, Page 2

AQUATICS.

OPENING OF THE BOATING SEASON. ; Large crowds of interested spectators gathered on the wharf, the breastworks, and the Stsr and'Wellington Clubs' Sheds, to witness this ceremony "on Saturday afternoon. The weather was all that could be desired—a light southerly breeze, and a warm sun shining overhead, the harbour ; being in the very' beat condition for rowing purposes. The s.s. Duka of Argyll was decorated with . bunting in honour of the occasion, but none of the other vessels in the harbour had paid a similar compliment to the : rowing men of > Wellington.: Three o’clock was the hoar named for the commencement of the ceremony, but it was pot until about twenty minuteo after that time that the boats which wore to take partin the procession mustered in a group at the southern side of the Queen’s wharf. Almost immediately the procession started, the Star, Wellington and Oriental Clubs’ whale boats came lirst, followed at regular intervals by four-oars from the various clubs, including a crew from the Porirna Rowing Club in their flaming yellow and bine jerseys, and the Star champion crow, pairoars,, and a few pleasure gigs came next, the skiffs bringing np the rear in a double line. The scene was remarkably attractive, and well deserved the' attention of the enterprising photographer' who bad taken up bis stand on one of the dredges lying along the line of route. Some way nut in the etream lay the Ellen Bailanos, with Jenkins’ Band on board playing a lively tune. Whitewinged sailing boats flew hither sad thither before the breeze, occasionally swooping down . on the procession like a 1 flock of sea-gulls, and as suddenly veering off, just as a collision seemed imminent. Nearer in shore oimo the procession, in which were noticeable the Ueokitt-like blue of the Orientals, the gaudy pink of tbs Rowing Club, and the more saodaed bine and white of tbe Star, while their oars moving inrhythmical unison let fall drops of spray, which glistened in the rays of the sun like a failing shower of diamonds. The ' sheds of the WelUagton'and Star Clubs were occupied chiefly by members of the fair sex, resplendent in all the glory of summer costumes of marvellous hues and varied shapes, tbe wearers of which appeared to take the' greatest interest in the proceedings. ■ Passing by tbe sheds the procession continnsd on towards Oriental Bayy returning in a long sweep to the sheds, round which they clustered waiting for the words to be uttered , which should declare that the boating season had began. This office was performed by Mr B. Pearce, president of the Star Club, who said ha hoped the flhe day they were now enjoying was only an earnest of a fine, long summer, in which they could have many opportnnities of indulging in the healthful occupation of boating. If any incentive was required to induce them to strive for the honours which were to be gained in the pursuit of .that pastime it was furaised by tbe galaxy of fair faces which he saw around him, which . would induce every member of every club to strive his utmost. Be now declared tbe season open. Three hearty cheers were, then given for Mr Pearce, and the pleasant proceedings concluded. The guest* oi the Star, and Wellington Clubs ware- then regaled with afternoon tea; after which (he gathering dispersed, feeling that, in regard to tbe beanty of the weather and. the general attractiveness of the occasion^' the ceremony had been fully as successful as that of any previous year. . ■ A race was to have been rowed by two crcwa from tbe Star - Boating Club on Saturday, but owing to the; stretcher in one of the boats carrying away just after the start, the race will be . rowed Shis (Monday) evening. .. AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. Tbe annual meeting of the Amateur Rowing Association was held at the Occidental Hotel on Saturday nijjht." Mr F. E. Hyman (one of the vice presidents) occupied the chair, and tho following delegates were present;—Messrs L. O.' if. Tlipp, Akaroa and Waircwa 8.0.15, Canterbury R.C. ; N. Galbraith, Avon B.C.v Lyttelton B.C. ; F. K. Hyman, Cure B.C , Union R C. (Christchurch) ; • ■ W. . Fraser, Dunedin Amateur B.C. ; J. R. Gibbons, Hanraki and West End R.C.’s (Auckland); S. R. Kennedy, Napier E. O. ; E. Jackson, Nelson R.C. ; R. W. Clarkson, North Shore and St •GeorgeTl.C.'s (Auckland) ; J. 3. Tringham, Oriental B.C. j R. R. Bultcrwotth, QUgo

tI.C. : J. McKinnon, Port, Chimera H 0. ; W, H. Turnbull. Otago II.C. S. W. H. Field, iStar B.O.; G. H. Befcbnne. Star B.C. ; A. S.Biao, Star B.C. ; M. O. Barnett, Star of the Manukaa K.C. (Onchunga) ; A. Paul. Tiniaru R.C. ; W, Rod well. Union B.C. (Wanganui) ; A. M. Barns, Waltemata B.C. (Auckland) ; M, P. Marks. Waitemata and Wellington R.C.’s iA. G. Johnuon, Wakatu B.C. (Nelaon) ; 0. V, Powell, Wanganui R. ;A. S. Potaraon, Wellington R C.; G. F. 0. Campbell. Auckland R 0. ; G. A, Creeth, Auckland R.C. ; Dr Pollan, Poverty Bay and Gisborne R.C.’a; H. McCardell, Union (Chriotohuroh) and Y.M.C.A,. (Christobarob) E.C/tj D. Barber, City R.C. (Auckland); A. H. Bennie, Porirna R. 0.; I\ S, Hodion, Blenheim R.C. The annual report stated that since last year the number o( affiliated dabs had increased from 25 to 34. The association bad cause to be pleased with the success its representative, Mr W. Bridson, achieved in the Victorian Amateur Champion Sculls, aud Its congratulations were dne to h»tu and the Wellington Rowing Club. The financial ; condition of the club was satisfactory. The receipts were £52 Ga lOd, ond the expenditure £ll 5i Id, leaving a credit balance o? £4l Is Oil, The assets were £S 3s Bd, and the liabilities nil. Id moving the adoption of the report, >.tr W. H. Field said that they had every reason to congratulate ‘ themselves upon the management of the association, especially as regarded the work of the secretary. Mr C, V. Powell seconded the motion for the adoption of the report and balance, sheet, which was adopted. The Y.M.C.A. and Manawata E.C.’s were elected to membership. The Queen’s Drive (Port Chalmers) and North Kud (Dunedin) B.C.’a also applied to bo admitted as members of the association, and it was decided to grant the applications on oondition that the rales were complied with. It was decided to, ask His Excellency the Governor to become' patron of the assooia’ tioo. , Mr A. E, G. Rhodes (Canterbury) was elected president, and Messrs W. H. Fluid aud W, Rodwell vice*presidentf, and Mr A, S. Biss secretary and treasurer. Mr M, C. Barnett, the present secretary, stated that ho was reluctantly compelled to retire from the position this year on account of business arrangements. Mr A. G. Johnson was proposed for the office but be declined to stand. . Mr A. G. Johnson thought that it was only righttbat Mr Barnett should bavo some recognition for his services, seeing the large amount of work ho had to do, and ho moved that the association should record Its appreciation of his services by voting him £lO 10a ‘ ■ „ This was seconded by Mr J. R. Gibbons and carried. Mr Barnett having thanked the meeting. The question of where the next champion* ship meeting should be held was then con* sidered. Mr W. H. Field moved that the championship races should be rowed at Christchurch. ' Mr A. G. Johnson seconded the motion, but expressed the opinion that it was a mistake for the Canterbury clubs to endeavour to iulluenoe the other clubs before the meeting of the association took place. Ho also suggested that a portion of the large prize mouey which was offered should go toward purchasing medals for the men who rowed. The motion was carried without discus* sion. The Chairman said he hod oome prepared to fight over this question, aud ho must therefore thank them for the good feeling they bad shown toward Canterbury in the matter, tie thought that it was only right that big prizes should be given for a ebam- j pioaship regatta ; and besides, it had the effect of drawing the public, aud creating njore interest than if the prize money was smaller. Mr K.. W. Clarkson, representing the North Shore R.C., moved—- That the meeting 1 consider the constitution, rules and regulations of the association, with the view of altering or rescinding part or the whole thereof and making such new, rules as may be decided upon. - Mr A. S. Paterson seconded this. Mr M. F. Marks moved as an amendment that the rules should be considered by a committee consistibg'of Messrs A. S. Biss, W. H. Field, R,-W; Clarkson, A. de B. Brandon, L. (3. H. : Tripp and the mover and J report not later than the Ist February, and that copies of the committee's proposed alterations be printed and circulated amongst the different clubs before the next meeting of the association. ' ‘ The amendment was seconded by Mr Rodwell and carried. The following suggestions passed by the delegates of the Canterbury clubs were referred to the aub«committea appointed to consider the rules That where two or more entries are made for : an event held under T (bo auspices of any regatta committee, half -j; the money allotted for such event (if re- t duced to one competitor) shall be allotted to suob competitor on rowing’over the course. $ That the association raise the annual sub- a ssription to one guinea per delegate, with a a view to the Issue by the association of the t ‘New Zealand Rowing ’ at least r every two years, and to provide gold medals t (of a uniform pattern) for tho winners of ® champion races. That the entrance foes for y all regattas held under the association rules p be 5 per cent bn the gross amount of prize , money in each events and that a rule be pro* vided accordingly. : ; , Mr Marks moved—That the resolution passed at the meeting of the association, held on the 27th February last, whereby the Auckland Rowing Club’s orew was awarded tho first prize In the Inrigged Gig Race, ■ rowed at Pine Island bn the 12th December 8 last, bo rescinded and that the VPaltemata I Boating Club’s crow be awarded the first 8 prize, having been placed second by the. 1 judge, and the winners having been declared J by the association, to have rowed a profes* j ■ionalin the race, V ’ J Mr E. D. Barber seconded tho motion 1 A long discussion took place, during 8 which it was stated that the professional re- 5 ferred to was Mr G* Barrett, a member of 1 tho Auckland Rowing Club. J On being put the resolution was lost by • 47 tu 8, the general opinion of the delegates *■ being that the protest should' have been I lodged within* 24 hours after the race, as provided by the rules. The Chairman moved—-That rule 12, ,re championship , races with, coxswains, be 1 amended to read; That all championship * races, except single eoulls, ,be rowed in boats k with coxswains. - - Mr G. P. C, Campbell seconded the motion, which was.lost by a largo majority. ( 16 was decided that Mr P, Fletcher, of ] the: , Port Chalmers R. 0., was still an j amateur, aud therefore did not require reinstatement. r , The applications for the reinstatement of Messrs J. McGrath (Dunedin Amateur 8.C.) J and G'. Hogan (Otago R-C.) were postponed, * pending an enquiry by the secretary as to J whether they bad received prize money ( since 1887. IE not, it .was decided that they i should bo allowed to row in December, 4 The following members of the Dunedin j A.B.C. should be^reinstated conditionally pa I it being shown that the/ had not received < suy pecuniary benefit Messrs D. Paterson, W. Douglas, R. Procter and J. H. Claiko. Messrs A. H, Hunter and E. Davys, of the same club, were reinstated as amateurs. ■ The application of'the Auckland R.C. | for the reinstatement of M. O. Garrett was declined. ; , . • The dispute between (bo Star and Wei- < liogton Globs in reference to the Champion | Double Sculls at, Nelson was further con* • sidered. A loUer.was read from the judge ' of tho .race, stating that the protest was i made to him by'Ur Field (captain of the 1 Star Club) before the men left the boat. i The Chairman held that under rule 12 i .the protest could not be sustained, as it had not been made by (bo stroke of the Star < ■ crow. 1 > It was therefore decided to instruct the Nelsop Regatta Committee to pay the prize money tp the Wellington Club. Mr Powoll movdd that the question of rowing maiden and jauior races in clinker outraged fours' instead of' inrigged boats should be referred to the committee appointed -to consider tho rules. ‘ 1 ' • •

The meeting terminated at 10 minntaa paat 12.