SOUTH ISLAND REGATTA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22504, 23 February 1935, Page 7

SOUTH ISLAND REGATTA

IMPERIAL STAR AS FLAGSHIP The committee controlling the South Island Championship Regatta, which Is; to be held at Port Chalmers this afternoon, has made very complete arrangements to ensure that the events on the programme will he carried out with promptitude. The presence of many visiting crews from Southland, North Otago, and Timaru will be a decided attraction, and the local oarsmen will, meet with keen competition. There has been appreciative comment regarding the various cups which are to be presented to the winning crews,, and also of the gold medals which are to be presented' to the members of the crew winning the Senior Pours. Many exciting ; finishes are expected in the' rowing races, especially in the main event of the day, the Senior Fours. The Akaroa Club has been successful in this class ot event; at all of the Canterbury regattas, whilst the Invercargill Railway Rowing Club has had equal success at the Southland regattas. The Queen’s Drive Boating Club has so far shown its' superiority over other local crews in the regattas which have been held, in Otago. It is anticipated that Akaroa, Invercargill Railway, and Queen’s Drive will be in the three winning places, but it has to be said that other crews entered in the race have been training strenuously, and they may surprise supporters of other clubs. In the yachting and motor boat section some keen finishes are anticipated. The new course which has been set for these races permits of ft full, view of the race being available to the public from the time of commencement until the-finishing'point.’ In the Port Chalmers dock the swimming section of the programme will be arranged, and it is expected that this branch of the afternoon’s sport will attract a very large crowd. The' committee has made arrangements, in the event of wet weather, for shelter to .be obtained, as, with, so many visiting crews present, unless the weather is too boisterous, it will not be possible to arrange a postponement. Captain Macfarlane, master of the Blue Star Line’s new motor vessel Imperial Star, which is now berthed at Port Chalmers, has generously consented to allow his ship to be used as a flagship for the regatta. The Imperial Star is a large vessel with modern appointments, and there will be ample accommodation for everyone should the weather be unfavourable.