INTER-ALLIED BOAT RACE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3399, 7 May 1919, Page 44

INTER-ALLIED BOAT RACE.

WON BY A NEW ZEALAND CREW PARIS, April 27. A great assemblage witnessed the interAllied boat race on the Seine. The Right Hon. W. F. Maasey and Sir J. G. Ward followed the race throughout. The New Zealanders won their heat with comparative ease. They met France, Newfoundland, and America.

In the final there was a slashing race between New Zealand and America over the last quarter of a mile," but the New Zealanders always had a bit up their sleeve, winning by three-quarters of a length. Great enthusiasm was manifested. There was a strong wind and roughish water.

There were few New Zealand troops in Paris, but the Australians, who were in force, sported the New Zealand colours and cheered their crew along the river bank.-

, Official: The All Blacks thrillingly won the inter-Allied Eight-oared Boat Race on I the Seine, defeating the Americans, who I were mostly Harvard and Yale men, in | the final by half a length after a superb contest along the entire course of a mile i and three-quarters against a squall of | wind and through jobbled water. The ' | time was 9min 28sec. The contestants in ' the final were New Zealand, America, France, and Newfoundland, who all qualifined in that order rather easily in the preliminary heats, the losers being Portugal, Alsace, and Lorraine. The final was thrilling from start to finish. America and the All Blacks quickly outpaced the ; others, and led each other in turn amidst memorable excitement. America was leading past the last bridge, but the All Blacks, with a quicker stroke, better and perfect unity, leaped ahead within sight of the mark, and-won by a good half length. Their victory was exceedingly popular with the concourse of Parisians. I A novel feature of the regatta was the daring stunting of a French aviator along the course and over bridges. The All Blacks were entertained in the evening by Mr Massey at the Hotel Majestic, where the Ministers heartily congratulated the team, which was as follows:—Private Wilson (bow), Corporal White (2), Lieutenant Lester (3), Private Coombes (captain, 4), Corporal Patterson (5), Gunner Rutledge (6), Private Hadfield (7), Private Healey (stroke), Private ! Trussel (box.). #. April 3a ! The oarsmen vesterday received the trophies won at the Seine regatta. Each member was presented with a silver cup and a medal, while the team got from the French President a beautiful Sevres vase, which will probably go the Dominion War Museum. All the competing crews attended the presentation ceremony except the Americans, who gained second prizes. The All Black party and members of the New Zealand delegation were entertained at dinner by Sir Joseph Ward at the Hotel Majestic. Both Ministers expressed a hope that the team would repeat its • Seine triumph at Henlev in July. The team and party before leaving for London visited the Peace -Conference Chambers at Paris and Versailles. '