CHRISTCHURCH. REGATTA CLUB.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4572, 17 February 1893, Page 3

CHRISTCHUR CH. REGATTA CLUB.

Amateur Championships, of New Zealand* s President, Mr A. E. G. Rhodes, MJECB. ; < Judgeß, Mesars H. D. Buchanan, Edeu George, B. Heaton Rhodes and S. C. Kesteven ; Umpires, Messrs F. Fuller and F. E. Hyman ; Timekeepers, Messrs A. Francis, A. Gonderson and H. Kohn ; Starter, Mr J. O. Jones. The Christchurch Regatta Ciub's annual regatta wae held at Lake Foreyth yesterday' under most unfavourable conditions. The nbrVwest gale that waß blowing caused the wator to become bo rough ao to render outrigger rowing almost an impossibility, and the heavy class of boats experienced a consid rable amount of difficulty in carrying their crewß to the finish. The first event, the' Champion Single 1 Sculls, was completely spoilt, first by an accident to Keefe's boat, which by some means became stove '• ' in, and eeoondly to the fact that, Wo of the competitors Bwamped shortly after the start ; while of the two who finished, one reached the' post with the fore and after parts of his boat filled with water. The Maiden Pairs, Juvenile Plate and Maiden Double Sculls were, decided under circumstances totally, opposed to good rowing, while the Champion. Fours had to be abandoned altogether after the crews had been at the poet nearly an hour. Early in the afternoon the Committee met and decided to postpone the races for an hour, but it was some time later before the wind subsided sufficiently to admit of any more events being' rowed. Then the Maiden Fours, Junior Fours and Champion Double Sculls were got off in comparatively smooth water, but in two instances accidents happened to boats engaged. In the Junior Fours tKe Canterbury boat waa injured through collision with Wellington, and in the Double Sculls Star got aground and suffered in consequence. Wanganui were delayed in getting to the post through an injury to their boat, and it ia understood that they have lodged a protest against the decision of the race. Canterbury also have protested that they were fouled by Wellington in the Junior Fours. Owing to the late hour at. which the three events mentioned were decided, the Lyttelton crew took their departure, and were not represented in the | Champion Double Sculls, and in the Junior Fours Union sent a scratch crew to the post. The numerous accidents that happened to boats led to Mr George Norton, the well-known Wellington boatbuilder, being kept busily oocupied during the day, and his services in mending fractured shells were of immense assistance to various crews. . In the evening a meeting of the Regatta Committee was held, when it was decided to row the Champion Fours, Ladies' Plate and Champion Pairs, in this order, at Kaiapoi this afternoon. The Committee has been compelled to abandon the smoke concert and distribution of prizes, which had been fixed for this evening. V - ••-.••.