AQUATIC.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11951, 28 March 1894, Page 2

AQUATIC.

LYTTELTOV WINS THE CHAMPION FOUUS. [Per Press Association.! Pioton, March 27. I Champion Fours. Lyttelton 1 'Auckland 2 I Unions (Wanganui) 3 [ Unions (Christchurcb) 4 Albo started— Canterbury 'S.C, Union E.G. (Christchurch), and Star B.C. (Wellington). Mr Batkin had considerable trouble at the starting post, some of the crews being over anxious to get away. Eventually the flag felt to an excellent afcart, Canterbury and Lyttelton making the pace and Bhowing to the front in the first 100 yds, Auckland (who got off clumsily) lying behind the Christchurch Unions, who were Blightiy ahead of the Stars and Nelson, the Waaganui Unions last. After a quarter of a mile had been covered Keefe (Auckland) caught a crab, Barrett and Gibbons following his example, and the crew fell back n«arly a length. At the half-mile flag the boats had closed up and there was: not two lengths distance between them. The seven then settled down, but the pace was still a cracker, Lyttelton making it particularly warm with about 43 per minute. By this time Lyttelton had secured half a length's lead from Canterbury, who wero nearly a length in front of the Christchurch Unioas, the Wanganui TTnions still being last. Auckland were now rowing well with a splendid swing and looked as if they would be able to overhaul tho leaders, for on wakening up after the mishap they had soon passed the stragglers. After the h&lf-inile flag had been lpf t behind the Wangauui Unions, to the surprise of everybody, forged ahead, and passing tho Stars and Nolson challenged the Christchurch Unions, who were on term? with Auckland. When half the distance had been covered Canterbury fell behind, Auckland supplanting them for second place. Shortly af terwardß tho southerners appeared to crack up, and were passed by the two Unions, who were close up on Auckland fighting every inch of water. Half a mile from home Lyttelton was I half a length in front, Auckland second, Wanganui Unions third, Christchurch Unions fourth, Canterbury fifth, Starß sixth, and Nelson last. The boats maintained this order to the finish, but the Wanganui men oame up with a strong dash in the last 50 yards, and Keefe only beat them by a few feet, Lyttrtton won by two lengths, the Wanganui Unions being about a length in front of the Christchurch Unions. Time, 12min. Tii9 three placed crews received a great ovation on passing the wharf, the Wanganui men being accorded an extra cheer for their plucky race. Junior Outbiqoed Foubs, 1J miles; first prize £12, second £3. Nelson Bowing Club 1 Canterbury Kowiug Club 2 These were the only starters. Unions (Wanganui), Blenheim, Stars, and Wellington were scratched. The boats were level until fiO yardß from home, when Canterbury cracked up, and Nelson won by a length and a quarter. Both crews towed well, and it was one of the hardest races on the programme. Time 9min 30 and l-sth sec. The Union Pairs (Christchurcli), Crosand Samuels, also won the Champion Pairs, beating the Star^ (Wellington) by a dozen lengths. Canterbury third. They also won the Champion Double Sculls, beating the Star Club's rep 3 eisily by a oouple of lengths. Later. The finish for the Championship Fours was much closer than appeared to bo the case from the bow of the- Dneo. Mr H. F, Logan (judge), who occupied an isolated position on the other side of the harbour from the wharf, says that the i three leading boats overlapped each other at the finish, Lyttelton being about i two-thirds of a length in front of Auckland, who beat the Wanganui Unions for second place by a few feet. Wanganui, he states, were coming very strongly in the last few yards, and, bad they not stopped directly the gnn was fired for the first boat crossing the line, must have beaten Auckland. The six boats finished within a distance of about 4} lengths, Nelson being laat, another length and a half away. M'Grath steered very wildly in the Sculling Championship, which accounted to a great extent for the distance he finished behind Keefe. The following prize money wan won by the various clubs;— Lyttolton, JS3O ; Auckland, £24 ; Unions (Christchurch), £24; Blenheim, £23; Nelson, £20; Stars, £6 ; Wollinuton, £5 ; Unions (Wanganui), £5; Dunedin, £2. Canterbury and Picfcon were the only clubs competing who did not touch moneyIt is expected the gathering will be a finaucial success. The cottsansas of opinion among rowing representatives is that tlia system of a peripatetic championship meeting should be discontinued, and strong effort 3 are being made to havo Picton saleoted as the permanent course.