Eauraki Rowing ClUb.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8616, 21 December 1896, Page 2

Eauraki Rowing ClUb.

An afternoon's programme of aquatic contests was arranged by the executive of the above Club for Saturday. The tide served at about 4.30, and the weather being favorable it was expected that the fixture would be a means of popularising the institution, but unfortunately through unforeseen circumstances the affair was not at all successful, although spectators had the pleasure of seeing ■ one event—the senior whaleboat ratlin which the following, crews' took ' part:-No. 1: E. Twohill (stroke), J. Ryan No. 4, W. Hammond No. 3, P, Grayden No. 2, .and" E, Gibbons (coxswain); No. 2; T. Rolton (stroke), D. McMillan No, 4, H. Fisher No. 3, W. MclntyreNo. 2, W.TierneyNo. 1, andT. Ganley (coxswain).' Gibbons' crew rowed in the Total and Ganley's in the Hauraki. A very - fair start was effected, and the boats kept well together until half the distance had-been "traversed, then Ganley's crew getting round their post first began to forge ahead. A quarter of a mile from home they had increased their lead .to two lengths, and that advantage they retained up to the winning post. Their stroke was not by any means a- good workable one, and it is appareut that if used ,in a hard Jought race the rowers would reach the very acme of distress. In*~ stead of the'oar being only taken over between the .knee and the ankle 1 it should-go at least over the end of the stretcher.. There is some excellent material in the defeated boat, and unquestionably,!fa pick of the two crews "was made a five worthy of the Thames' past reputation could be selected to represent the town and the Club in any contest. With the junior race started a series of; accidents,* There - were two crews in the contest, the - composition of each being, No. 1: R, McCorraick (stroke), P. Koefoed, G. Gordon, J. McLean, F. Mullins, and T. Rolton (coxswain) ;•'No. 2 :-A, Billings (stroke); H. Curtis, ft Moran, C; Lloyd, B. Inglis. and E. Gibbons (coxswain). The former got ahead in - the first two chains, but as he gained ■ he bore his opponent towards (the southern mud bank;-and when a bare length ahead took his water. To re- ! Jieve himself Gibbons moved more into the channel, the result of which tactics was a foul. To clear, Rolton had to make a big detour which put him several lengths behind and so off the track thathehad to take .a slanting course for the turning post. As he dine up to that point Gibbons was just rounding, and it was then a second' serious mishap occurred, Rolton's boat smashing into the Hauraki, tearing down her side and making a gap, into which the water poured. Of course the crew had to labor hard to get near home, and when a few chains off the boat sank in shallow'water, bu't, assistance readily procurable 'relieved the rowers and towed the Hauraki to the shed. In the trial fours there were , also two crews started—No. 1: W. Ganley, T. Finlayson, W. .Hammond, and J. McLean, with G. Dalton cox.; No. 2: G. Ryan, R. Runciman, F. Mullins, and T. SouiraervilJe,- with G. Gordon cox. We say started, advisedly, for neither finished, both boat? being swamped after rounding the posts in the channel. The crews clung to the boats, and members of the Club immediately launched the whaleboats to go to the assistance of those immersed, the action of the rescuersbeing most commendable, as it .was done without thought for • wet or spoiled clothes. As a result the gigV crews were soon on terra firm little the worse for their ducking. The swimming race was won by J. Twohill,' who defeated?- G. Ryan. The Yankee horse competition did not take place.