WAIROA BOATING CLUB

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17609, 27 October 1931, Page 10

WAIROA BOATING CLUB

OPENING OF THE SEASON (Hferald Correspondent.) Tho VVaiioa Boating Club was favored with fine weather on Monday, the occasion of the opening of the 1931-32 season. There was a considerable attendance of present and past oarsmen, and the ladies, especially the younger generation, were in strong force, lit the absence of the. Municipal Band, Mr. j. S. Wilson put on a milSical progririmme by means of two loud speakers oh the balcony of his nearby residence. The wives of club members provided a dainty afternoon tea, for which a small charge was made in the interests of the club funds. The river was beautifully calm, there being little or no wind, and the course, balf-a-mile long, lay between the Post Office wharf and the finishing post to the west of the bridge. The punt was very busy during the afternoon, but no obstruction of tile boats resulted; Mr. D. Glengarry made an efficient starter and judge and the result board official greatly contributed to the public’s interest in the events, those for the day constituting the opening fours, for which 13 crews entered arid 12 •competed. * Paring an interval in tlie racing Mr. J. E. Svenson, one of the club’s vicepresidents, formally opened the season. This task had always fallen to Mr. C. G. Brandon. whom, it was hoped, would soon recover from his attack of influenza. The club, Mr. Svenson said, had started 24 years ago that day, and next year would be tlicir jabilep. This season 13 treks had trained,, which was a very pleasing result, arid there were 48 .active members rowing that day, something of which they could justly be proud, as the Waifoa oarsirien had put in som6 good solid work. He hoped for.a successful year and that Waifoa peoplo would heartily support the club) as lie was sure they would do. The earthquake had certainly done some damage, but the club was now as strong as ever. Mr. J. S. Giiligan, club captain, thanked Mr. Svenson for opening the season in ,t)ie place of the club’s grand old man, Mr. liraudon. The latter had been performing the openihg Ceremony for sd many years t hat it did iiot seeiii to he ail opening without him. They had lost one shield to Gisboriie, but duly by one. point Last year there Wore only eight crews on the opening day, whilst this yriar there vvet'fl 13 ih training, ibid three crews more than last year competing in the opening .fours. The earthquake had damaged the shed, but not the boats or oars. He hoped the efforts fo be put forth in the jubilee year would result in a.hew and up-to-date shed. He thisfed the now, rowers would not bo dismayed at present lhisiakes; blit go qii till they were classed its perfect Oarsmeh. Ho thanked alt who had in any way assisted to ibake the day such a success, including Mr. J. S. Wilson arid tho ladies. Mr; Sveitsou then, rtmid applause, declared the season duly opened. The Opening Fours resulted: — First beat.—Scott, Pemberton, Hatpin, Chicken-, .1; 'Gemmoll, Martin, Mels elme, Knight; 2; Giiligan, Jngoe, Osier, Harris, 3. Won. easily; Second ■ beat.. MhOorkindale, L. Johnston, 0. McGorkiiidnle, L. Allen, 1; Pert-, Buckley, Robson, ,T. Chicken, 2; Oorbeshley, Alexander, Holcim, 11. Pcnibtrcon, 3. Won by three lengths. Third heat; —Lane, Clifford, Mioloney, Barrett, 1; Hale, R. Knight, A. Hall, Evans, 2; 'Giiligan, Trjggs, Groeoct, Pritchard, 3. This was a great .race at the finish, the winribr only being half a canvas ahead; and less than half a length separating the seeoiicl and third boats; Pouftli heat. —Hole; Huslar, D. Johnson, B. Smith; 1; Crawfohl. J. Chicken, Dinnan, Blight, 2; Bufriclgo, Neale; Wallis, 11. Pemberton, 3. This was a very close race at the finish, only a canvas separating the three boats. First seini-iiiml.—-Scot t 1, McCovkindalo 2. Won by 14 lengths. Time, 2min. 53sec. Second semi-final. —Hole 1, Lane 2

Won by half a length after a great race from tho bridge. .Final. —Scott, .Pemberton, Hal pin, and Chaplin, 1; Hole, Ha slur, D. Johnson; B. Smith, 2. Time, 2min. 59see. Tills closed a very successful opening day. specially marked by the number of fine finishes. . An amusing event put on was the coxswain fours, and they did not make such a bad attempt after all, the event being won by a canvas by Aldridge's Crew, Rcnouf being second.