ROWING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3756, 9 March 1926, Page 55

ROWING.

DOMINION CHAMPIONSHIPS. FIRST DAY. A full breeze on Saturday afternoon and the inevitable "curlers” completely spoiled the N.Z. Rowing Association’s championship regatta on the upper harbour only two events being decided. The first race was scheduled to start at 12.30 p.m., but at that hour a brisk north-easterly wmd was ruffling the water although, for other sports, the weather would have been ideal, as the sun was shining brightly The committee decided on a postponement till 1.30 p.m.: but the water at that hour still was dangerous and a further hour’s postponement Avas announced. So it went on from hour to hour until 4.20 p.m., when the crews for the maiden double sculls rowed down harbour against a rough sea. The maiuen four oar event was also decided but at 5.30 p.m., the wind had increased in force and the water became decidedly choppy. Another meeting of the committee was held, and it was announced that at 7 pin. the youth’s fours and junior pairs \yould be decided, but as the water was still rough and darkness was falling it. was decided to postpone the events until six o’clock this morning. After a week of smooth seas on which the crews obtained some excellent practice, the change on Saturday was exasperating. The sunshine and anticipation of an interesting day’s racing bv the best oarsmen of the Dominion attracted a crowd numbering several thousands who thronged the wharves. The results of Saturday’s races were as follows Maiden Double Sculls. One mile. Donations to clubs—first, £7; second, £2. Queen’s Drive (G. Clark, N. Monson) ... 1 Avon (E. Ileatle.y, J. Brixton) and Canterbury (R. F. Batchelor, D. Gunn) eaua) ... ;. 2 Also competed: North End and Timaru The advantage at a fair start was taken by Queen’s Drive which was leading by a length when 100 yards were gone. At half wav. Queen’s Drive was in front, rowing 32 to the minute. At this 6tage Timaru had gained on the leaders. Nearing home, Avon, which was lying second last, made a spurt, and joined Canterbury. Together, the two crews raced past Timaru. Queen’s Drive wont on to win by one length, Avon and Canterbury dead heating for second place. Time, 7min 24sec.

Maiden Four-oar. One mile. Donation to clubs—First £ll. second £3.

Avon (W. Palmer, G. Litten, W. Scott, R. Lyons) AAvaiua (11. Tall. E. Spencer, 11. Obergaard, W. Bmtensbaw) Port Chalmers (A. Crarnond, 11. Parsons, J. Solomon, J. Brennan)

Also competed: North End, Timaru* and Otago. 'lhe crews got uway together. Awarua moved away fast, but the rowers had settled down to a steady stroke until the Three Legs was passed. With half a mile traversod, Awarua was still leading from Port Chalmers, Avon, and Timaru. The Awarua crew, however, increased their pace, and dreAv further into the channel to gain the advantage of the incoming tide. A quarter of a mile from the judges saw AAvarua still leading from Port and Avon, with the latter making up tho leeway fast. Nearing the end of trio wharves Port went past Awarua. but the southern men increased their stroke and headed Port. Avon, however, obtaining the assistance of the tide, and racing under the shelter of

the wharves, won by half a length, Awarua ! beating Port by a length. Time, Gmin 40see. SECOND DAY. The remaining events were rowed in the early morning of yesterday in calm Avater. The Otago Rowing Club won the principal event. Following are the results: CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS. FOUR-OARED CHAMPIONSHIP. Two miles. Best-and-best boats. First £BO, second £2O. Otago Rowing Club—T. Brough (str), J. Wergea (3), C. J. M’Ara (2), P. S. Anderson (bow), li. Hook (cox) .. .. .. 1 Hamilton Rowing Club —R. Sandos (str), W. Bayley (3), G. St. Clair (2), S. L. Curtis (bow), P. Stewart (cox) .. .. 2 Wairau Rowing Club—W. E. Gibbons (str), C. Saunders (3), C. J. Adams (2), R. A. Badman (bow), W. Jacobs (cox) J Also started: Waitemata Boating Club —T. Johnston (str), L. E. Brooker (3), N. Doubleday (2), V. Smith (boAv); Invercargill Railway—W. Wilson (str), J. Beekinghain (3), N. Galbraith (2), T. Davidson (boAv); Petone Rowing Club— A. E. White (str), A. L. Warden (3), A. Ilickson (2), K. Rodger (bow), T. Cairns (cox). At 7 o’clock, on a running tide, the champion fours were sent away. Hamilton, Wairau, and Otago got the best start. Hamilton doing 38 to the minute against Otago’s 32. Otago went to the front. At the mile post Otago still held, the lead, Wairau being second, and Hamilton third. Nearing the b.sin the order Avas Otago, Hamilton, Wairau, and Waitemata, and that order was maintained tilt the finish. Hamilton threatened Otago towards the end, but the local men had plenty of pace in reserve, and pulled up to increase their lead from one length to tAvo, by which they won. Wairau, half a length behind Hamilton, were third. Waitemata being fourth, and Invercargill Railway fifth. Time, 12min 13see. CHAMPIONSHIP SINGLE SCULLS. One mile and a-half. Best-and-best boats. Donation to winning club: First £ls, second £5. W. A. Stevenson (Waitemata) .. 1 I. W. St. Clair (Hamilton) .. .. 2 E. O. Trail (Wanganui) 3 Also started: C. D. Molesworth (Hamilton) and N. Cruickshank (Timaru). Stevenson crossed the line first four lengths ahead of St. Clair, who beat Trail by three lengths. Molesworth was fourth. Time, 9min 49sec. CHAMPIONSHIP DOUBLE SCULLS. One mile and a-half. Best-and-best boats. First £2O, second £5. Waitemata Boating Club—\V. A. Stevenson (str), D. Smith (bow) 1 Hamilton Rowing Club —I. W. St. Clair (str), C. D. Molesworth (bow) .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Union Boating Club (Wanganui)—E. O. Trail (str), C. Kruse (bow) .. 3 Also started: Queen’s Drive—F. Wilson (str), W. Pritchard (bow); Union Rowing Club (Christchurch)- —W. L. Whittington (str), L. Duggan (bow). Waimate crossed the line three lengths ahead of Hamilton, Avho made strenuous but unsuccessful attempts to catch the leaders. Union (Wanganui) were third, ten lengths behind. Christchurch Union were fourth, and Queen’s Drive fifth. Time 9min CHAMPIONSHIP PAIR OAR. One and a-half miles. Best-and-best boats. First £ls. secand £5. Hamilton RoAving Cub No. 2—G. St. Clair (str), W. Baylv (bow) 1 Hamilton Rowing Club No. I—B. Sandos (str), S. L. Curtis (bow) 2 Petone Rowing Club—A. Hickson (str), A. L. Warden (bow) 3 Also started: Jnion Rowing Club (Christchurch) —W. L. Whittington (str), L. Duggan (bow); Waitemata Boating Clui —T. Johnson (str). V. Smith (boAv); Otago Rowing Club—F. Brough (str), J. Werges (boAv); Wairau Rowing Club—W. E. Gibbons (str), R. A. Badman (lioav) ; Queen’s Drive—F. Wilson (str). W. Pritchard (bow). Hamilton No. 2 won by two lengths, with a third of a length separating Hamilton No. 1 and Petone. Queen’s Drive were just beaten for third place by Petone. Time 9min 57 l-ssec. OTHER EVENTS. MAIDEN DOUBLE SCULLS. One mile. Queen's Drive Boating Club—G. Clark (str). N. Monson (boAv) 1 Avon Rowing Club (Christchurch)—E. Heatley (sir), J. Brixton (boAv), and Canterbury Rowing Club—R. F. Batchelor (str), D. Gunn (bow), equal 2 Also started: Timaru RoAving Club— R. Chute (str), W. Davies (bow); North End Boating Club—A. Davidson (str). 11. Eggers (boAv). Entering the basin all the creAvs Avere "all out.” and Queen’s Drive managed to win by a length. There was a great tussle for second place, the two Christchurch crews coming in a dead heat, with Timaru only half a length behind them. Time, 7min 24see. MAIDEN FOUR-OAR. One mile. First £ll, second £3. Avon Rowing Club (Christchurch) —W. Palmer (str), G. Litten (3), W. Scott (2), R. Lyons (bow) 1 Awarua Boating Club (Bluff)—H. Tall (str), E. Spencer (3), 11. Obergaard (2). VV. BurtenshaAv (bow) 2 Port Chalmers Rowing Club—A. Cramond (str), 11. Parsons (3). J. Solomon (2). J. Brennan (boAv) 3 Also competed: North End—A. Clark (str). J- Mitchell (3), E. Manson (2), J. Allen (bow); Timaru Rowing Club— R. Chute (str), W. Davies *3l. E. Harrison .2). W. Leeney (bow); Otago Rowing Club— J. Mackie (str), E. G. Cooper (3), W. Beveridge (2), C. Semple (bow). Coming into the basin Avon made on extra effort and drew ahead to win by half a length from A Avarua. Port being in third position two lengths behind. North End wer© fourth and Otago fifth. The Timaru boat swamped after going about half the distance, and tho crew was picked up bv a launch. Time. 6min 40sec. JUNIOR FOURS. One and a-half miles. First £l3. second £3. Invercargill Railway Rowing Club—D. Pay (str), J. E. Pay (3), H. Mackoy (2), D. M'Kenzio (bow) 1 Queen’s Drive Booting Club—G. Clark (str), N. Monson (3). L. Fountain (2), P. Her rum (bow) 2

Aramolio Boating Club (Wanganui)—D. Mills (str), T. Kennedy (3), L. Foun(2). A. Fromont (bow), G. Pepper (coxi 3 Also started: Petone—A. E. Jones (stij, A. Maud (3), T. S. SI inn (2), R. O. Duncan (bow); Avon—E. Barkle (strl. W. Scott (3). VV. Palmer (2), F. Brettell (bow); North End No. 2—G. Duncan (str). H. MKeuzie 0* U. Cross (2). B. Eddy (bow) ; Awarua—H. Tall (str). E. Spencer (3). H. Obergaard (2), VY BurtenshaAv (boAv); North End No. 1— D. Sutherland (str). H. Eggor? <3), A. Davidson (2), M. Spence (bow). Coining into the basin the three leaders were about leA’el. Invercargill put on an extra spurt, and won by a length from Queen s Drive, who finished a canvas ahead YOUTHS’ FOURS. One mile. First, £9; second, £3. AAvarua Boating Club—A. Morrison (stroke), Jv M’Tntvrp (3), G. Barton (2), C. Hunter (bow) .. .. 1 Queen’s Drive Boating Club—J. Braith waite (stroke), T. Treloar (3), J. Swan (2), G. Thorn (bow) .. .. 2 Avon Rowing Club —A. Harley (stroke), E. Heatley (3), J. La ne (2), G. Thorn (bow) 3 Going into- the basin every ereAV quickened up, and a great finish resulted, Awarua getting in half a length ahead of Queen’s Drive, who beat AAon by a canvas. Time, smin 9see. JUNIOR PAIR OAR. One mile. First, £7; second. £2. Invercargill Raihvay RoAving Club —H. Maekay (stroke), J. E. Pay „ (bow) i North End Boating Club—E. Cross (stroke), H. M"Kenzie (boAv) .. 2 Won easily by about eight lengths. Time, 7miu 2sec. EXHIBITION FOURS. One mile and a-half. In association clinker boats. First, £2O; seeond, £5. Waitemata—T. Johnson (stroke). L. E. Brooker (3), W. Doubleday (2), V. Smith (boAv) 1 Aiamoho—D. Mills (stroke), T. Kennedy (3), R. C'oxon (2), A. Fiomont (boAv), G. Pepper (cox).. .. 2 Wairau—W. E. Gibbons (stroke), C. Saunders (3), C. J. Adams (2), R. A. Badman (boAv) 3

Also started: Timaru —E. Cruickshank (stroke), W. Davies (3), R. Chute (2), W. Leeney (boAv); Avon —C. Stiles (stroke), G. Stiles (3), E. Barkle (2), T. Brettell (bow); Queen’s Drive—G. Clark (stroke). N. Monson (3). L. Fountain (2), P. Herum (bow); Invercargill Railway—W. Wilson (stroke). J. Buckingham (3), Q. Pay (2), J. E. Pay (bow).

At the mile post the order was: Waitemata, Aramolio, Avon, and Wairau. This order was maintained till the basin wa3 reached, Avhen Wairau beat Avon for third place. Won by one length by Waitemata, Aramolio coming in second tivo lengths ahead of Wairau. Time, 9m in 27 l-ssee. VISITORS ENTERTAINED. On Saturday evening, in the Early Settlers’ Hall, the visitors to the championship meeting were entertained at a complimentary smoke concert by the local officials. Mr M. 11. Priest, president of the Otago Rowing Association, presided, and the gathering Avas in every way successful. Oarsmen and officials were present from all part 3 of the Dominion, and the competing crews, wearing their representative colours. Avero in strong force. Reminiscences AA r ere naturally much in evidence; old contests were recalled, and historic battles Avith the oars on the water in various parts of NeAV Zealand Avere refought by veterans, who had not met for many years. The physically beneficial effects of the sport were to be plainly seen on several of the speakers, who, looking sprightly and youthful, referred to contests that had occurred 30 or 40 years ago, and retold with enthusiasm some struggle in which they had taken part. A combination of instrumentalists, members of the Otago Rowing Club, who had formed a jazz band, provided some enjoyable selections during the evening. The toast-list aa as lengthy, but the speakers were commendably brief and yet interesting. The Hon. C. E Stathaui was the principal jruesfc of the evening and, as an old oarsman, had much of interest to say. Mr Stalham recalled many incidents in connection with his old club, and referred to personal experiences on the xvater, impressing upon the younger oarsmen present the beneficial effects to be derived from th'eir sport. The toast of the visiting oarsmen Avas in the hands of Mr Priest who referred to the unfortunate Aveather conditions, which had interfered with the qay's racing. Quite apart, hoAvever, from the principal purpose of their visit, he was delighted to know from the visitors that they had enjoyed their stay in Dunedin. The arrangements for entertaining their guests had been a matter of concern to the local officials, and it was pleasing to him, as president, to know that it bad met with the approval of their friends from the north and south. In response to Mr Priest, Messrs Sharp, St. Clair, and Haile, representing various associations throughout New Zealand, responded, and referred appreciath’ely to Avhat the local roAying men had done to entertain their visitors, and the hospitality that had been extended to thorn in Dunedin. It was to them, they said, an especial pleasure, to visit the city, and their week’s stay during the Exhibition Avould be a memorable incident.