ON THE WATER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19878, 20 February 1920, Page 2

ON THE WATER.

NOTES BY “PROW.”

ROWING.

Among the crews training for the C.R.C. Trial Fours, Morrison’s crew (Morrison, Cox, Elam, Sinclair) are showing tho best ion...

The C.R-C. crows for the Kaiapoi Regatta are;— Junior Pairs—F. J. Stewart, H. B. H. Knight; A. C. Allen, C. H. Clemens. Junior Double Sculls —V. D. Hewer, J. Stewart. Maiden Pairs—A. C. Parson, P. S. Hills. Maiden Double Sculls—R. A. Morgan, A. K. Johnston. Youths’ Pairs—J. T. Chesson, S. P. Godfrey. Youths Double Sculls—P. J. B. Donnelly, R. H. C. Spooner.

The youths’ double sculls crew have been out recently, doing good training Their style is very much brighter now that Donnelly is stroke. The rest of the C.R.C. crews are showing good form. There is a distinct likelihood of \V. M. Stewart and A. C. O, Allen challenging the junior pairs and junior double sculls crews if Clements does not get back from Auckland iu time to train with Allen. If Clements gets back in time, he and Allen will row Stewart and Knight to decide who shall represent their club in the junior pairs.

The following crews have been selected for the “ Louisson Fours,” to be held by Union:—A. Freeman, H. Layton, C. Grenfell, T. Nunan; W. Duggan, Whittington, G. J. Turnpenny, H. J. Smith; R- Mann, W. M’Lcan, C. Yates, J. Yates; H. Dyer, D. Barrett, W. Barrett, R. Grenfell; T. H. Grenfell, C. S. Ward, S. Hemingsen. C. L. Humm; E. C. Pinwill, J. Murch, E. R. March, E. A. Harvey; G, R. Wilson, E. P. Meacheu, B. Palmer, D. Hanna.

Avon has received the hollowing entries for Mr Freeman's Youths’ Gold Medal Race, which is to bo rowed over a half-mile courseE. Darkle, A. Large, C. Boswell, L. A. Barber, D. M’Gibbon, D. Stevenson, T. Kirton, A. Keys. °

Mr W. S. Godfrey has given to the C.R.C- a cup to be rowed for annually in a single sculling race, in skiffs without coxswains. Mr W. Kny, aho an old member of the C.R.C., and a returned _ officer who has seen war service, will also give a cup, of a novel nature, but it has not yet been decided what race it will be awarded for. Both cups will be competed for this season.

A most interesting and instinctive lecture was given by Mr J. R. Fuller in the Canterbury Rowing Club’s social hal| last night, assisted by Mr H. Ayers. The attendance -was fair, and chiefly composed ef new members. It is a pity that the club’s regatta crews did not roll up in larger numbers, as they have yet much to learn, and an excellent opportunity of doing so was afforded by last night's lecture. The C R.C. has a big asset in two such enthusiastic and experienced oarsmen as Messrs Fuller and Ayers.

Union have not yet selected their crews for the Kaiapoi Regatta.

The Avon crews for the Kaiapoi Regatta are: Youths’ Pairs -D. M’Gibbou, D. Stevenson. Youths’ Doubles—E. Barkle. A. Large. Maiden Pairs—A. Henry, C. Hart Maiden Doubles—J. B. Wilson, E. Staples. Junior Doubles— F. H. Stevenson, R. 6. Kingsland.

Mr H. A. Cooper will he commodore at the Kaiapoi Regatta, and the rowing judges will be Messrs J. H. Blackwell, F. D. Kesteven, R. Wylie and J. W. Barnard. The prize money for the junior double sculls and the junior pair oar race will be £ 5 , £1 and (is in each. For the other races the prizes will be £4, £1 and 5s in each case. The races will be rowed in association clinker boats, over a half-mile course.

It is expected that entries will he received from all Canterbury clubs, according to a Kaiapoi correspondent. The course cannot well accommodate more than four crews at a time, and if Cure, Canterbury, Union, Avon, Sumner and possibly Akaroa send crews difficulty will be experienced. “Prow’s” correspondent states that Cure anticipate entering nil the races. The Regatta Committee desired to have the right to refuse any double entries, but the Canterbury Rowing Association have decided that they have not this right, although the association will suggest to clubs that they make no double entries.

The failure of the Akaroa Regatta Club to reply to the Canterbury Rowing Association’s request to them to hand over for Avon the prize money allotted to the disqualified Akaroa crew which headed the junior .double sculls race at the Akaroa Regatta was considered by the association last night, and they very wisely decided to give the club another opportunity of heeding the ruling. The club have nothing to gain by refusing the request, and it is to be hoped that they will not cause any friction.

A river picnic will be held by the C.R.C. opposite what used to be Waiuoni Park on February 28, and members of the club are invited to bring their friends to it. Boats will start from the sheds at 2 p.m. A pleasant sports programme has been arranged. The novelty of the day is to be a mixed three-legged race. In the evening a flannel dance will be held in the club’s social hall, commencing at eight o’clock. The committee, are;— Misses Ronri Thompson, Eva Rowe, Adeth Walker, and Vera Stewart, and Messrs R. r! C. Spooner, H. B. H. Knight and F. J. Stewart.

The C.R.C. crew selected for the Wanganui championship regatta barn “pulled out,” as Chesson was unablo to get away. They were an old College combination, and probably the best crew Canterbury have had this season, so it seems a pity that they did not get their opportunity of gaining honours for their club and themselves. “Val” Hewer, the C.R.C. shipper, lias gone to the regatta to compete in the junior single sculls. He bad been showing good form prior to departure, and if he can get enough practice u. a suitable boat before starting he may make things willing. Manning has gone up to the regatta, with him.

Entries for the New Zealand amateur championship regatta close on Satu.-d.iv, February 14, wrote “ Victor ” iu tho Wanganui “ Herald ” last week. Big entries are already assured, and some splendid racing should be witnessed her© on February 21. The programme is a very fine one, no fewer than fifteen ©vents being set down for decision. It is intended to start procedings at U a.m.

Already some crews are training frr the Godfrey Cup. 'There is a dirtinct possibility of one of the Canterbury Club’s old champion scullers entering the race. He is a man with a oig reputation, and his appearance in Gie lists would be decidedly interesting.

After a lapse of fifteen years a regatta was held yesterday in the vicinity of the Dunedin wharves, the Otago Rowing Association’s fixtures since 1905 having been held cither at Port Chalmers or IVaihola, on account of the mi certainty of the conditions at Dunedin, reported the 11 Otago Daily Times.” As a. matter of fad. given propitious weather conditions, tho upper end of the harbour offers Quite the best course

for competition rowing. The uncertainty of the water was quite in evidence yesterday, a stiff south-westerly blowing at the commencement ot the first race, raising a cross sea that swamped every boat, five of seven failing to comploto the course, and necessitating in “some cases the rescue of the crews and the towing home of the boats. This naturally caused a delay, the officials waiting to see what developments would take place. The wind soon veered into the south-east, and for practically the whole afternoon conditions approached the ideal, bright sunshine and fairly smooth water prevailing, though towards evening the wind went further round towards the north.

Under the heading ‘'Christchurch Rowers’ Prowess.” the paper referred to says;—“ The feature of the- day’s rowing was the unqualified success of the Avon Rowing Club, Christchurch. In only one event were tho Christchurch men unplaced—the Junior Fours. They entered no crew for the Maiden Pairs, and came second in the initial event, one of the only two boats to effect a finish. In all the remaining events they were first, and in the case of the Senior Double Sculls annexed second place also. They were never stretched, gaining their victories without straiu—a great testimony to the value of hard and serious training. It is true, of course, that the calm waters of tho River Avon offer opportunities for practice that can never be looked for in Otago harbour, but local rowers may well take a lesson from the results achieved- Practically every race was a contest between the remaining boats for second place, and, had the Avon crews been absent, some great finishes would certainly have been witnessed during tho afternoon.

Action in tho direction of devising ways and means or improving the River Avon has been taken on quite a- number of occasions, but little tangible result has come therefrom. Leaving out the present movement, perhaps the onp which locked most promising in possibilities was the penultimate one, for not only was there enthusiasm shown by those associated with it, but there was an air of determination which promised something of a definite character. Quite a. number of prominent citizens attended the meetings from which a working committee was eventually selected, and the Mayor of the time—the Hon H. F. Wigram—as chairman, showed that interest and keenness which he invariably brought to bear in all public matters which commanded his approval, but unfortunately he was unable to" remain at the head of'affairs, and after his compulsory retirement interest gradually dwindled and finally died as all previous similar efforts had died. The present movement has started out very much as its predecessor did, and it is sincerely to be hoped that it will be more profitable in results.

As with previous committees set up, so with the latest committee. There is a. difference of opinion as to tho correct course to pursue to achieve the end aimed at, there is the possible conflict with local bodies, and there is the question of finance. In fact, the whole position is hedged round by obstacles which threaten to hopple the movement just as the movement has been hoppled in the past. To- successfully accomplish a satisfactory and permanent work will necessitate quite a number of recognised privileges being jettisoned. It seems to me that the present movement is doomed to the failure which met previous ones unless those vitally interested in it aro prepared to recognise that the control and upkeep of the river must be vested in a specially appointed and legally constituted body. For if this is not done theer is bound to be a clashing with those local bodies which at present are possessed of powers, and which can. and possibly will, resent anything they may regard as trespassing upon their rights.

The improvement to the Avon does not begin and end with increasing the depth of its waters. It is a far bigger question than that. No scheme of improvement is complete which does not include in its provisions the making of a regatta course for the holding of the Christchurch Regatta, jmd reclamation work in the estuary. The question is of such vital importance to the city, first and foremost, and to the boating community, in a secondary manner, that I propose to deal with it from all points. It seems to mo that the present disposition is to really do something, not of a temporary or tentative character, but something based on an expansive view of the whole position. I shall therefore make it ray business to secure and publish the views of those who have become identified with the present movement, in the hope that a definite and satisfactory plan may he evolved and put into operation.

POWER BOATING AND SAILING.

Neither at Now Brighton nor Redcliffs has anything of especial interest come under “Prow's” observation. Tins portion of “ On the Water ” would bo greatly enhanced if boatmen would send in notes, no matter bow rough, concerning their boating ex]>orienccs or interesting happenings that they have observed, and a cordial invitation to them to do so is extended. Last week, just too late to insert in the notes, “ Prow ” received from a Sumner correspondent an interesting account of the Christchurch Sailing and Power Boat Club’s picnic. Tin- writer concluded;—“ Nothing serious happened, bar that one yachtsman put* bis bare foot on a fire, which caused him to comment rather strongly on the subject of fires.” Quite possibly the contribution arrived late through no fault of the writer's- At any rate “Prow” will be pleased to hqar from him again. Contributions should reach the “Star” office not later than Thursday each week.

It was a laudable suggestion nut forward by Mr E. Stead at the Aron Jmprovement Committee’s meeting this week that the river should be deepened right down to the Estuarv, go that motor-boats might come right up it but the further suggestion” that' for this purpose a dam should be erected at New Brighton was of course open to the objection that great difficulty v-ould be experienced in getting the boats over the dam. The erection of a lock v*is not so much as hinted at possibly because it was considered impracticable. Nevertheless, a determined attempt should be mado to aid the boatmen of the lower reaches, and tlmir representatives at the nest conference should see to it that all possible schemes are fully considered.

A three-milo power boat race is included in the Kaiapoi regatta programme, as also is a youths’ puut race the power boat starter will be Mr J A. Mealmgs, and tho handicapper Mr A. Pearce.

No little interest has been caused hv the appearance of two roughly con stmeted sand-yachts on the Sumner beach, •' manned” by two bovs. It is reported that ‘the ingenuity* of tho owners is being rewarded bv some finite good runs, and that a race is occasionoily witnessed.