AQUATICS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIC, Issue 13461, 6 December 1907, Page 7

AQUATICS.

TIMARtr ROWING CLUB,

Yesterday afternoon,, the harbour, and particularly the Moody Wharf, • presented a-gay and aniniatedi-.s,cene, for what with " decorative bunting, crowds of ladies with their bright-coloured' parasols and'pretty dresses, lightly clad, bpatieris' and swirrimens, -boats, etc., tiSn. : "Ladies' Day," the Boating Club's annual opening func- | tion. was indeed a great success. The ! proceedings commenced with a'''procession-, of ro\A'ing boats, headed by the launch Elsie Evans. -The iboats,' in single file toured round the harbour, and' on returning to the skids, Mr; G, H. Tripp,! the Club's president,. gave a .short complimentary speech. Then some races were held I and caused 'some amusement, because it was seen the rowers • had thrown science, to the winds arid meant, to ' win whether they-plied their oars .all. together or ariy- ! how., ".. The first ■ race',, drapeis v. quilldrivers, looked like a victory for the•• latter •.-.■'until,-the drapers,-by. means of what their,. opponents termed V a foul "• secured the .'.victory..-. The carpenters'.- and hardware -crews- Xpwed a .good'race; which finished 'with, the formal' a ,length in front: The final was '■ won byj the carpenters by half a length, and bodl crews showed; th€in-helves_.intearnest.-i' The 'boat-races' being over a number" of' ex'pohents 'of'vphyisical : culture, clad in. flimsy-looking bathing costumes held a au'ck* hunt, the victini'-bjeihg a harmkss.; farm-yard'^duck with .no 'particular points; about him. ' When, liberat.ed the- duck floated % peacefully '.on the water-and waited until his tormenters r -got up 'to him, 'when lie quietly, moved off for a few feet, but it was only, a minti'te before Reardoii c&ptured him; The swimmers then the epringbpard at the sheds and gave an exhibition of- fancy diving, which' proved a very popular attraction.' All the* : 'whtie. that, these events- were progress'ing, the launches Elsie Evans, Pareora ':. 2nd Eleanor and Mr, Cowan's yacht were running excursionis. round about:- the harbour (the boats, haying been ..kindly "lent to the Club foi/ the- purpose), . Mr' Budd was busily .engaged •; in. a marquee ;■ upon . the' W'harf in dispensing Jight refreshments, and the Marine Bahd.iw-ere Tehderirig ap- | propriate music, and these with the fine caused ', the afternoon to pass off very, pleasantly.. /