HUGE CROWDS WATCH ROWING AT AKAROA; AVON CLUB LEADS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18958, 2 January 1930, Page 11

HUGE CROWDS WATCH ROWING AT AKAROA ; AVON CLUB LEADS.

One of the greatest crowds to attend a rowing regatta at Akaroa in recent years was present yesterday. The number travelling by rail and road was larger than usual, private cars being very numerous on the roads. The ferry steamer Maori swelled the crowd with its complement of about 1400. The weather, which in recent years has often been the cause of postponements of the annual fixture, was kind. Though heavy rain fell in Christchurch yesterday afternoon, none was experienced at Akaroa, where the sun’s rays were tempered by light clouds and a slight south-easterly wind. The harbour water was inclined to be choppy, thouhg it was in fair older for rowing. The Avon Club had the most success as far as winning points for the D.C.L. Cup was concerned. Avon secured three firsts, one second and three thirds, making 21 points. Canterbury were close tip with 20 points, representing three wins, one second and two thirds. Other points were gained as follow: Union 16, Akaroa 14, Sumner-Redcliffs 11, Lyttelton 7. In addition to the rowing events there were sailing and outboard motor races. Many old rowing enthusiasts missed the familiar figure of Mr George Armstrong, Mayor of Akaroa, who has always been a keen supporter of rowing. Air Armstrong, who held the position of commodore, had been present at almost every regatta at Akaroa for over thirty years. He has been confined to his bed during the last few days. Generally, the rowing was of a good even standard. Akaroa and Lyttelton were the only two of the six clubs which did not secure a first place in any race. Outstanding performances included the winning of the youths’ singles by G. Toner (Union Club) by eight or ten lengths in fine style. Toner was very l'resh after the race. The Akaroa No. 2 senior pair-oar crew did remarkably well against the Stiles brothers (Avon), who were the New Zealand pair-oar champions of 1927-28. The Akaroa crew rowed gamely all the way, and were beaten by only half a length. Following are results of the events:SENIOR FOUR-OAR. Union CF. Rogers, K. Brown, W. Whittington, W. Greenway) . . 1 Akaroa (B. P. Hammond, E. May, F. C. Newton, N. Hammond) 2 Canterbury (E. Hill, J. Taylor, J. M’Giflin, D. Gunn) 3 Avon also rowed. This was the best race of the day. Canterbury and Akaroa got a beautiful start, but Avon went to the front early. Avon could not hold their advantage, and opposite the jetty, Union, who had been lying third near the start, went into second place behind Canterbury, with Akaroa pressing them hard in third place. Akaroa responded to a spurt by Union, and passed Canterbury. Union won by about a length. SENIOR PAIR-OAR. Avon (C. A. Stiles, H. G. Stiles) 1 Akaroa No. 2 (D. Reid, E. May) .... 2 Union (W. Whittington, W. Greenway) 3 Canterbury and Akaroa No. 1 also started. Avon took the lead early, and Canterbury dropped back in the rough water. Then Akaroa No. 2 took the lead from Avon, with Canterbury and Akaroa No. 1 on fairly even terms. The Stiles brothers, rowing a long even stroke, put Avon half a length ahead opposite the jetty, and Union went into third place. The New Zealand pair-oar champions of 1927-28 went on to win by half a length from Akaroa, who put up a great performance. JUNIOR PAIR-OAR. Sumner-Redcliffs (M. Hullett, R. C. Neville) 1 Avon (G. Rushworth, C. H. Bishop) 2 Canterbury (J. M’Gifiin, C. Iv. Pritchett) 3 Lyttelton were fourth. This crew were in the lead opposite the jetty, where Sumner-Redcliffs went to the front. Avon followed them past the Lyttelton crew, and Canterbury came on just in time to get third place. Sum-ner-Redcliffs won by three lengths. JUNIOR DOUBLE SCULLS. Avon (F. H. Thompson, R. F. Batchelor) 1 Canterbury (E. F. Hill, D. Gunn) .. 2 The only other starters were the Akaroa crew, who retired when tn.ir bow canvas crashed in before the jetty was reached. Avon, who had the auvantage of smooth water at the start, won comfortably by *w*-* or three lengths. MAIDEN FOUR-OAR. Canterbury (T. H. Meumu.- H. C. Holland, J. Gilby, V. A. Smith) 1 Sumner-Redcliffs (A. Sutherland. C. Truscott, W. Killner, J. Wing) 2

Avon (W. Harvey, A. K. Woodham, T. C. Adkins, L. Patterson) .... 3 Sumner-Redcliffs asserted themselves in the early stages, and were leading opposite the jetty. Canterbury overtook them a quarter of a mile from home and won by a length. There was a great battle for second place between Sumner-Redcliffs and Avon, the former gaining it by half a length. The Union crew broke an oar during the race. MAIDEN PAIR-OAR. Canterbury (J. Gilby, H. C. HolAkaroa No. 2 (R. Keegan, F. Fyfe) 2 Lyttelton (V. Gilmore, S. Sinclair; :> Sumner-Redcliffs were fourth, ahead of Union, Akaroa No. 1 and Avon. Canterbury took the lead early from Union, whom Lyttelton also passed. Akaroa No. 2 were next behind Union, with Avon a good distance back. Akaroa No. 2 and then Sumner-Redcliffs passed Union, and then in a great finish Akaroa passed Lyttelton and were only a canvas behind Canterbury when the flags were reached. There was nearly a length between Akaroa and Lyttelton. MAIDEN DOUBLE SCULLS. Avon (F. If. Thompson, T. C. Adkins) 1 Sumner-Redcliffs (L. S. Wood, R. C. Neville) 2 Akaroa No. 1 (W. Baillie, F. Fyfe) . . 3 Akaroa No. 2, Canterbury and Union also started. The crews got away from a good start, and Avon established a lead of nearly a length. They were rowing easily, and won by over a length. There was a good contest for second and third places. YOUTHS' FOUR-OAR. Canterbury (G. East, S. W. Cox, R. W. Hampton, C. D. Smith) ; . 1 Lyttelton (R. Burbery, H. May, R. May, W. Davis) 2 Akaroa (W. W. Reid, G. Le Lievre, W. Moore, J. Cullen) 3 Union were fourth, ahead of SumnerRedcliffs. Avon also entered, but they struck trouble at the start and failed to row off. Lyttelton took the lead early, but Canterbury put in a strong challenge, and were a length in front opposite the jetty, with Lyttelton next, then Akaroa and Union. Canterbury won by a good length, with Akaroa closing up fast on Lyttelton. Union suffered a setback in the early part of the race, and entered a protest against Akaroa on the grounds of interference. YOUTHS’ DOUBLE SCULLS. Union (R. Layton, G. Toner) 1 Lyttelton (W. Davis, R. Webb) 2 Avon (A. Andrews, M. Reed) 3 „ Two Akaroa crews also started. Union went to the front from a good start, and were two lengths ahead opposite the jetty, where Lyttelton came up fast. Union won by about two lengths, with a good distance between second and third. YOUTHS’ SINGLE SCULLS. Union (G. Toner) y Akaroa (W. W. Reid) 2 Avon (H. Warlow) 3 Lyttelton (R. Webb) also started. Toner, who was very fit, looked a winner all the way. Rowing strongly, he opened up a big gap between him and Reid, who was much heavier. Toner won easily by about eight lengths from Reid, with Webb and Warlow on fairly even terms a short distance back. The event was rowed in single sculling clinker boats, HANDICAP SAILING RACE, for sailing dinghys and Takapuna punts. Under 14ft overall. Uira, scr (R. Taylor) 1 Zita, scr (J. Tissaman) 2 Rascal scr, Frolic scr, Ripple Smin, Isabel 7mm and Roanoke 15min also started There was a close finish between the first and second place-takers, rest were a good distance beOPEN HANDICAP YACHT RACE, for yachts over 14ft. Kia Ora. 28min (F. Phillips) 1 Miro, scr (E. J. Kingston) 2 These were the only starters.