ARAMOHO WINS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 84, Issue 70, 25 March 1940, Page 7

ARAMOHO WINS

INTERPROVINCIAL BOAT RACE) FIRST-CLASS EXHIBITION Giving a first-class exhibition of oarmanship, the Aramoho crew, representatives of the Wanganui Centre, easily out-distanced rivals in the interprovincial eight-oar rowing contest held on Wellington Harbour on Saturday morning. Aramoho at the last championship regatta surprised by defeating the Union eight. On Saturday they showed that their form has not slackened. They were at no time pressed, and they finished the freshest crew in the race, easily out-distancing Wellington, their most persistent rival. Striking a steady rate of 32 at the start, Aramoho maintained it throughout, keeping up the long, powerful strokes which gave them the national title. Wellington, on occasions, turned on a much faster stroke, but they could not make any impression on the Aramoho eight, which won by a comfortable margin with plenty in hand. Wellington stood out among the four crews as the most dogged challenger of Aramoho. They did not seriously threaten the Wanganui combination, but their finishing burst to stave off the challenges of Otago and Auckland showed they had stamina and spirit. Wellington Harbour has seldom turned on such phenomenal conditions. The water, smooth as a millpond, contrasted strikingly with roughness of the course when the championships were rowed last month By winning the race, Wanganui, represented by the Aramoho crew, New Zealand’s champion eight, equalled Otago record of six wins since the start of the series. Otago, on arrival at Wellington on Thursday, found that its boat had been so badly damaged on the trip across the straits that it could not be repaired in Wellington. The rules of the race stipulate that it shall be rowed in boats belonging to the New Zealand Rowing Association, and, accordingly, the second Wanganui boat was obtained for the use of Otago. This is the first time in years that the race has been won by such a convincing margin. Last year, in Dunedin, Union beat Otago by a canvas. The placed crews were:— Wanganui <P. Stowers str., C. Campbell, W. Firmin, W. Dearsley, J. Brown, C. McNicol, J. Jeromson, J. Stokes, and C. Johnstone, cox) 1 Wellington (D. Boswell str., P. Abbott, I. Carter, R. Hansen, E. Harding, T. Hegglun, O. Clayton, L. Hosking, and W. McGowan, cox) 2 Otago (A. Alcock str., C. Johnson, J. Marshall, D. McCallum, B. Anderson, H. Robertson, D. Sutherland, K. Barclay, and W. Edmonston, cox) 3 Wanganui won the HallyburtonJohnstone Cup and a donation of £4O, and Wellington won the donation of £lO for second place. The record of the contest is:— 1927- Canterbury 1928- Otago 1929- Otago 1930- Otago 1931- Otago 1932- Wanganui * 1933- Wanganui * 1934- Wanganui * 1935- Otago 1936- Wanganui 1937- Wanganui 1938- Wa nga n u i 1939- Wanganui (♦ Composite crews). The town clerk of Wanganui, Mr. C. R. White, instructed by the Mayor, Mr. W. J. Rogers, sent a telegram to Mr. D. Holmes, manager of the crew: ‘‘The Mayor instructs me to convey to yourself and crew warm congratulations of the citizens of Wanganui on your splendid win.”