HAMILTON REGATTA.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 229, 1 January 1898, Page 3

HAMILTON REGATTA.

Patrou : Mr F. W. Lang, M.H.R. ViecPatrou: Mr Henarc Knihau, M.H.It. President : Mr W. Dey, Mayor of Hamilton. Vice-Presidents : Messrs G. W. Sarc and Jas. Hume and Dr. A. S. Brewis. Executive Committee : Messrs

G. Edgecumbe (Chairman), A. H. Atkinson (Treasurer), A. E. Manning and R. J. Gwynue (Secretaries), and H. Holloway, J. H. Edwards, R. F. Santlcs and Sv. Griblile. Rowing Races: Starter, Mr J. H. Edwards ; Judge, Messrs S. D. Hauua; Umpires,Messrs J. H. Edwards and M. G. Farrer. Maori Canoe Races : Starter and Judge, Mr W. Graham; Swimming Races : Handicappers, Messrs C. G. Knox and W. B. Eyre ; Starter, MrR. F. Sandes ; Judgo, Mr G. Edgecumbe. Foot Races: Starter, Mr C

Speifjht; Handicappers, Messrs C. J. W. Barton and C. Speight; Judge, Mr H. Hollow ay. The regatta held at the Hamilton Lake on Thursday last was in cvtry way a success, notwithstanding the unusually high wind which prevailed during the whole of the day. No place could be more suited for such a gathering. The splendid luke affords one of the finest waters for rowing on imag"nab!e, and the picturesque grounds at tin back provide a natural grandstand for viewing the contests. The fine grounds of Lako House, kindly placed at the disp'sal of the committee by Mr Tliomaa Walter, wore greatly appreciated by the spectators, as being admirably adapted fcr seeing the races and affording plenty of qaiet shady nooks for picnic and other parties. The Dtuuia grounds, which, owing to the wet season, could not be laid down in grass, were rather dusty, but as it is the intention of the committee to have these laid down in the fall, they will be well grassed by next year, and the dust will not then be an objectionable feature. There was a good attendance of the public, the trains from all parts being well patronised, and during the niternoon there must have been more than 3300 people present. Close on £45 was taken at the gates. Although so many attended the crowd never appeared very large, the people being scattered in email bunches around the grounds. The Hamiton Brass Band, under Bandmaster M-.inro, was stationed in Mr Walter'* grounds, and the excellence of their music was more than once commented on daring the day. Some slight delay occurred in the earlier gig races owing to the a:rangements for carrying the boats to the ground not having been properly carried out, but all the other races were started well to time, the various officials, as above, doing thtir utmost in making the ir,e»tin& successful. The higli wind which prevailed interfered considerably with the arrangements of the ommittcc, especially in the swimming races, and what weie very interesting events were lost to the public, as they had to be swum with the finish away from the breastwork instead of right off it as originally intended. This alteration was found necessary, as it was impossible to moor the pontoon for the swimmers to start tff in any othrr position. There were a few shortcomings, more in the matter of detail than otherwise, in the arrangements, but these having been discovered will allow of their being remedied before the next gala. The publican's booth was presided over by Mr W. Bright, of the Hamilton Hotel, and Messrs T. Hill and J. T. Home had refreshment booths on the ground, at all of which business seemed to be brisk. Tlvs is the first occasion on which there have been any gig races on the lake, but judging from the enthusiastic manner in which the various crews spake of the suitability of the water, it will not be the last. The gig races were maiked by the success of crews from the Webt End Mowing Club, who on this occs'on repeated thtir performance at the Porisonny Regatta in the early purt of the month, by winning all the events. This club b d no less than five c cws present, and their Captain. Mr J. Clark, cannot but be proud of the success attained by his men. The other clubs represented were : Auckland 3 crews, Ngarunwahia 2 enws, and North Shore 1 crew, and although fchey were not successful on this occasion, we trust they may be more for.unate when they next visit us.

The Rob Roy canoe race was a very one-sided affair, the sciateh man being handicapped right out of the race. The Dingy Race was robbed of a good deal of interest owing to the erratic steering of one of the competitors, wh-ch allowed his opponent, who hid 25sec. start, to win easily. Nothing could have been more interesting than the swin ming races, there being c!o;e finishes in< each event. Dedges, the scratch man, was 6uccessfu' in the 100 and 150 yards, while Beere, who was a'so on scratch, wen the 75 yards breast stroke.

Considerable amusement waß caused by the Maori canoe races, and had there been more entries they would have added greatly co the excitement. Several cliildren's races were run off during the afternoon, and evoked keen competition among the younsj folks. The following are the results : Rob Roy Canoe Race (open). About half a mi'e. Handicap, Prize, £l. K. Kirk (45sec.) ... 1 C. Holloway (scr.) 2 These were the only starters. The scratch man was asked to concede too much start, and Kirk won by almost his handicap. 1(H) Yards Swimming Handicap. First pr'ze £1 10s ; second, 103. Hedges («cr.) 1 T. Kirk (IOmo.) 2 Frost (7sec.) ... 3 Hughes and Cussen also started. This was a good race, but Hedges gradually forged ahead, and Kirk fouling a mark post allowed him to wiu by half a length. Maiden Gigs (open). About one mile. Piiasc, £lO. Went End Rowing Club : C. Fricker, 1; C. Stephenson, 2; J. Hickson, 3 ; G 0 Stephenaon, st'mke 1 Auckland Rowing Club: H, Hales, 1 ; F. Brodie, 2 ; P. Holland, 3 ; L. Brodie, stroke .-. *... 2 North Shore Rowing Club : H. Gtrrard, 1 : J. Gerrard, 2 ; W. Clark, 3; J. Cardno, stroke 3 Ngaruawnhu Rowing Club : A. Pa)n ter, 1 ; J. James, 2 ; T. U. Wells, 3 ; J. Marshall, stroke, also started. Auckland showed to the front fir the first part of the distance, but West End closed up at the half distance, and forging ahead won by a length and a-half, some distance separating the second and third. Canoe Hdrdle Rack (men). Twice round course, over four hurdle. Prize, £2. Calebßotana'sKiaOia 1 Karaka Rotana'a Powhiii 2 Only two crews entered, and the Kia Ora's men beiDg more adept at negotiating the hurdles, won easily. 150 Yakds Swimming Handicap. First prize, £2 ; second, 10*. Hedges (aer.) 1 Frost (!2»ec.) 2 T. Kirk(ls*cc.) 3 This was another good race, but the scratch mr.n again averted li'b supremacy, there Deing a good race for second place. Bora' Fcot Race, under 12 years ; 75 yards handicap. First prize, 5s ; second, 2s lid. B. Redmond 1 A. O'Neill 2 Four started : The Lnish was a very close one. Canoe Hurde Race (woti-en). Twice round ciur e, over four LurdLs. First prize, £4. Dili's Kia On 1 I'ei'si'ij Powhiii... %» 2

There were no other entries. This event caused considerable) amusement, but the Kia Ora's crew were more expert at the hurdles, and won by some lengths. Jcnior Gigs (under 10st) ; about one mile. Prue, £lO. West End Rowing Club : C. Wa-ne, 1 ; R. Adams, 2 ; A. Wright, 3 ; E. O. Oswald, stroke 1 Ngaruawahia Rowing Club: E. Bailey, 1 ; W. Collins, 2 ; H. Terawhiti, 3 ; E. Rathborne, stroke 2 These were the only starters. West End went away from the flag, the rough water apparently putting the other crew out. When they got into the rmoother water the " Delta " crew closed up, but could not get on term* with the other boat, which patsed the judge about two lengths ahead. Dingy Race (handicap). About three* quarters of a mile. Prize, £1 10s. P. V. Huuna (West End Rowiug Club), 25sece. 1 P. H. Hughes (We3t End Rowing Club), scr 2 A. H Dacre (Auckland Rowing Club), scratch, did not start. Hanna took the best course, and holding his lead won by half-a-dozcn lengths. Girls' Foot Rack, under 12 years ; 50 yards handicap. First prize, 5s ; second, 2s 6d. M.Ha-rick 1 M. Pickering 2 Eight s'artcd. Maiden Gigs (under lOst). About one mile, Prize, £lO. West End Rowing Club : H. Adams, 1 ; C Myficld," 2 ; R. F. Hanna, 3 ; L. Gannon, stroke 1 Ngaruawahia Rowing Club: E. Bailey, 1 ; W. Collins. 2 ; H. Terawhiti, 3; E. Rathborne, 6trokc .. 2 Auckland Rowing Club : H. McKnight, 1; N Wade, 2; H. Hales, 3 ; N. G. Fokes, stroke 3 The West End crew at once drew away from the others and won by four lengths, but there was a grand race for second place, the Ngaruawahia crew, which hul on'y just come in from the previous race, beating Auckland by a length. Canoe Race (Flat). Three times round course. First prize, £4. Caleb Rotana's Tenakoe 1 Karaka Rotana's Powhiri 2 P. Aubrey's Lily ... 3 There were no other entries. The fmt two canccs kept well together, but Cajeb again managed to win. The Lily, which wa3 much longer, lost a lot of ground in turning. Pots' Foot Rack, under 14 years; 100 yards handicap. First prize, 7s 6d ; second, 2s Gil. C.Hope I T.Hope 2 Nine started. 75 Yards Swimming Handicap (breast stroke). Prize, £l. G. Beere (scr.) 1 T. Kirk (3*ec.)... 2 C.Speight (3ec.) 3 T. Cieighton (7sec.) was the only other starter. Beere soon made up his lost ground, but Kirk stuck to him, and a good race resulted in Beere winning by less than a length. Junior Gigs (open). About one mile. Prize, £lO. West End Rowing Club (No. 1 crew) : H. Sands, 1 ; R. W. Rees, 2; T. Hales, 3; B. Bach, stroke ... 1 Auckland Rowing Club: F. Woods, 1 ; J. Negus, 2 ; C. R. Gooch, 3 ; L. Hardie, stroke 2 West End Rowiug Club (So. 2 crew), E. Oswald (1). G. P. White (2), P. H. Harris (3), J. C. Gallahcr. (stroke), also started. Ngaruawahia Rowing Club did not start. Soon after the start the West End No 2 crew pulled up, two of the seats having come off the slides, and their club mates had no difficulty in winning by half a dozen lengths. Girls 1 Foot Race, under 14 years ; 75 yards handicap. Firot prize, 7s Gd ; second, 3s 6d. L. Bonrke 1 M. Pickering ... 2 Eight started. Canoe Hvkdle Race (under and over). Twice round course, over four hurdles. Canoes over, men under. Prize, £4. Caleb Rotana's Kia Ora 1 Karaka Rotana's Powhiri 2 The Kia Cra'a crew once more asserted their superiority, winning easily. Gig Race (Open). For all beaten crews. Prize, handsome cup, prerented by Messrs T. and S. Morrill and Company (Limited). West End Rowing Club: E. Oswald, 1 ; P. White, 2; P. H. Harris, 3 ; J. C. GalUher, stroke '". 1 Ngaruawahia Rowing Club : E. Bailey, 1 : W. Collins, 2; H. Terawhiti, 2 ; E. Rathborne, stroke ... 2 These were the only starters. This was one of the best races of the day, tbe towu crew just getting home by half a length.