ON THE RIVER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17170, 13 October 1923, Page 9

ON THE RIVER.

BOATING SEASON OPENED. Quite a number of people present at the opening of the boating season to-clay endeavoured to recall an occasion tv .hen this popular function was favoured by really good weather, and failed. To-day the weather was boisterous and cold, and made the conditions for both competitors and onlookers rather cheerless. Nevertheless the river banks in the vicinity of the Canterbury Rowing Club’s shed wore thronged with people, children being,, present in large numbers, while the banks higher up af>d lower down towards Staninore Road were freely dotted with spectators. In spite of the cold wind the function was characteristically cheerful. The parade of decorated boats, always an outstanding feature of opening day. provided a spectacular commencement. A great amount of time and care had Ik*oii devoted to the decoration of the boats, and the adornment of many was in excellent taste. The Darktown Brigade was out. as usual, arid the a'nties of tho members provided much amusement, particularly for the juveniles, who raced along the banks in high glee in pursuit, of the ** black” men. Tho Ku Klux Klun was represented in another boat. Excellent effects wore obtained in I many instances by the use of colourj •'<l riljbons stretching overhead and at the sides from end to end of the The season was declared open'ln the Commodore. Mr Tv I. ( owlisliaw,’ who wished the clubs all success. The officials- were: Marshal. .Mr F. R. Kosteven, starter, Mr H. Berry, judge of races. Mr R. F. Nightingale, judges of best decorated boat. open. Mr and Mrs F. H. Walton, judges of most original crew. Mr and Mrs W. Frans, judges of best dnrktown crew. Mr and Mrs AY. S. Godfrey, judges of best boat decorated and i rowed bv ladies only, Mr and Mrs T>. Lee. Best Decorated Boat—Avon J, Union 2. Mokl Original Crew—Ku Klux Ivlan 1. Best Boat Decorated and rowed by ladies only-—Misses L. Stewart and Wallace. Opening Day Fours—First heat: Union <K. Yelvin. E. H. Ellis. T. H. Grenfell. \V. Whittington), I; Canterbury, 2. Won bv half a length. Second heat: Avon (K. Rartle. (’. Stiles. D. M’Gibbon. C. Hart), 1; Canterbury. 2. Opening Day Double S<^®ls—First, beat: Union il.. C. Byers and A. Ward). 1: Avoq_ 2. Won by three-quarters of a length.. Second beat: Cnion (G. Duggan and E. C. Baker). 1-. Sumner, 2. Opening Day Fours, final Union 1. Avon 2. Double Smilp. final Cnion (Dneean'3