ON THE RIVER

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16904, 1 December 1922, Page 2

ON THE RIVER

NOTES FROM THE CLUBS

(By “ JASON.”) REGATTA FIXTURES. Dccontbcr 16- —Aknroa. December 26—Lyttelton. January 1. 1923 —N.Z. Championships (Bluff). The Aknroa- Regatta people have decided upon December 16 (Anniversary Day) as the date of their regatta, a wise decision seeing that their original date (January 1) clashed with the New Zealand Championships at Bluff. One matter that has always been a matter of considerable concern to town Hubs, and seemingly always will be. is the transport of boats to Akaroa. It is not only the cost that has to be considered. but the risk of damage in transport. At the meeting of the Canterbury Rowing Association on Tuesday evening Mr 11. J. Hobbs was able to report that arrangements had been made to transport the boats overland, so that that matter is settled. The water in the liver is reported to ho lower than usual at this time of the year. One of these days am energetic soul will arise in the community and will tackle the river question with the determination to see it through to a definite and satisfactory conclusion. Then the Christchurch Regatta Club will be rid of the necessity for going many miles from the town ior a course for its annual regatta, for under a liberal and comprehensive handling of the question provision will he made for a course "below Bur wood, sufficiently wide for three boats to row- abreast. When that time comes, as it assuredly will. Christchurch will have its Henley oh Avon: duration two days, possibly; length of course a mile and a quarter o.* thereabouts. Melbourne. Svdney, Adelaide and Brisbane all have their Henleys, and gr?at public, and rowing successes they have proved to he. Christchurch with its Henley will be the Mecca of all Dominion oarsmen. A pleasant little function was held a. the Union Rowing Club’s boathouse on Friday night* - , the occasion being a presentation by members to Air G. L. Berry, on his surrendering the position of honorary treasurer which he had so worthily filled for nineteen years. Truly a splendid record. Amongst the assemblage were several of the old members, who were members of some years’ standing when Mr Berrv joined up. The presentation which took the shape of a pair of prismatic binoculars, was made by the president, Mr D. Lee. who in very happy terms conveyed to the recipient the regret of the club at his resignation and the pleasure members had in showing their appreciation of his many years of valuable services. Messrs \Y. G. A tack and F. E. Hyman, two of the old brigade, briefly traced the progress of the club, and the latter strongly urgrtl upon present members to give racing and training their verv serious attention. The “father” of the club. Mr I- . D. Kesteven. whose record as holder of the office of captain is something to ponder over, followed with a general survey of local rowing conditions, and then Mr Berry had his little speak. There came a time, he said, when a rnan roust give up some of his outside occupations, and he realised that the time had come, for him to make way for some younger member Wellington club crews are in training for the. championship regatta. Bright and Johnson will compete in the

double sculls, and G. Wilson in the singles. The mo-st valuable cup ever presented to a rowing club in New Zealand has been donated by Mrs Howlison. in memory of her late husband, to the Otago Rowing Club, with a request to the committee that it be devoted to the. advancement of sculling (writes the ‘Dominion’s” Dunedin correspondent'. Together with the cup, a Wutifu’ piece of work valued at £7O. is a replica to he presented to the holder cf the cup for the first year. The fact that the club did not possess two si in- ' iiar boats at first showed signs of being an obstacle, hut the difficulty was overccjme through the generosity of members anrl ex-meml»ers subscribing the wherewithal to purchase the two boats required. Th .• committee has notvec finally decided in what manner the cup is to l>o competed for. but in order vo ascertain the best sculler ouring the season the ladder or the “ three-life ” - system, will probabl.v be adopted. AVON ROWING CLUB. The following crews have been selected to represent the Avon Rowing Club at Akaroa Regatta on December 15 :— Senior Four (No. 1 crew)—F. Agassiz (sir.), W. SeVgison (3). C. Champ (2). H. Adkins (bow). (No. 2 crew) —K Staples (str.). F. Stevenson (3), S. CM-othior (2). C. Hart (bow). Junior Four—E Barkle (str.), A. Whitfield (3). I>. Richardson (2), R. Kingsland (.bow). Maiden Four—D. Stevenson (str.). C. Browne (3). G. Stiles (2), C. Lawrence (bow). Youths' Four—R. Stiles (str.). E Kirton (3), W. Mitchell (2), AN . Tull (bow). Senior Pairs No 1 crow: C. Champ and H. Adkins; No. 2 crew: E. Staples and F. Stevenson. Senior Double Sculls—No. 1 crew: C. Champ and H. Adkins; No. 2 crew: W. Sergison and E. Staples. Junior Pairs—E. Barkle and R Kingsland. Junior Double Scullt—F. Agassiz and F. Stevenson. Maiden Pairs.—G. Stiles and C Browne. Maiden Double Sculls—D. Stevenson and C. Hart. Youths* Pairs—W Mitchell and W. Tull. Youths’ Double Sculls—C. Stiles and E. Kirton. The Maiden Pairs have received a challenge from C. Lawrence and L. A. Keys. During the week the new members' “ Trial Pairs ” were rowed off, and some good racing resulted. Several of the new members show good promise and should receive every encouragement. from the older members. Jn the first heat G. Lawrence and G. Taylor met F. Lor rot. t and Brixton. A good race resulted. From a good start Lawrence and Taylor drew ahead and maintained a lead to *ho finish, gaining the verdict by about two lengths. Tn the second heat Clark and Pen gel I v met G. Stiles and D. Robertson. The crews raced neck yjiTid neck for half the di.<tnneo,- > *Xtb , 7'ii Clark and PengeVv were- their opponents down and passed the post- about two lengths to the good The final between Lawrence and Clark proved an excellent contest. From i good start, Lawrence and Taylor drew ! slight-lv ahead and maintained the ad I vantage for about a J-mile. ivlwn Clark j and Penally gradually wore their op- ] ponents down, and gained a lead which j they maintained until the fiinsh, winl niug by about two feet