FOXTON ANNUAL REGATTA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 4989, 14 February 1883, Page 2

FOXTON ANNUAL REGATTA.

The people of Foxton seem to look forward with exceptional interest to this event. On | Tuesday at an early hour the whole township was astir, and about ten o'clock the whole of the townspeople forsook their homes «n masse and made for the scene of the regatta. But the whole of Foxton does not make up a very large crowd, and even with the addition of the visitors from Palmerston and Wanganni, there was plenty of room to spare on the river bank and the wharf. Still what was wanting in numbers was made up in enthusiasm, for every man, woman, and child neemed to have something in common with the aquatic contests of the local men. The ladiei — even the Maori ladies— wore the distinguishing ribbon of the Foxton Club, and displayed a lively interest in the events that were contested by their oarsmen. The principal business places in town and the vessels at the wharf were gaily decked with bunting. The preparations for the reception and accommodation of spectators were not on a large scale, but hardly any preparatioa was necessary. The part of the .bank that gives the best view of the river is so formed that a series of comfortable natural lounges and couches are provided for j those who wish to enjoy the sport in a care- j less sort of way. Three refreshment booths J supplied cooling drinks for the thirsty, and palatable food for the hungry, and the Palmerston band agreeably filled up the half-hour intervals between the events with pleasaut, though not very killing, music. The following gentlemen acted as a Regatta Committee :— Messrs J. T. Stewart, A. Gray, J. Hillary, G. Williams, 8. S. Quinn, and Dr Rockstrow. Messrs Williams and Carkeek acted as starters, and Messrs Russell and Sowell as judges. Mr E. G. Cox, as Secretary, is moat energetic and courteous. There was no timekeeper present, but perhaps this does not matter much, for as a rule the tide is either rushing furiously against or furiously in favor of the boats, and time taken under these oircnm- ! stances would not be of any value. As to the regatta itself, it may be said that the whole thing was tame and uninteresting. The contests for the principal events were mere burlesques on rowing, and although the Wanganui Union Club ran off with the money, we have no doubt they would have been better pleated if they had won it from oarsmen who were at least fit to sit in a boat. The weather throughout the day was most pleasant. A slight breeze sprang np about 12 o'clock, just as if it had been specially ordered for the sailing race, which event came off at that hour. Only one accident happened daring the day. Shortly after three in the afternoon the outgoing tide was met by a strong breeze, blowing from the Bea, and a heavy swell was raised on the river, extending from the starting point to about half a mile np the rivet. The outrigged senior fours had the benefit of the rough water, and both the Dolly Varden and the Wanganui almost filled. The former, having the heaviest cargo, sank before the boat-ehed staging was reached, and Mr Howe, the stroke of the crew, had a narrow esoape from drowning. The • following are the results of the different* races in order:— Maiden Race — Infour-oared inrigged boats ; distance, about one and a* half miles ; first prize, £7. Union Boat Club's Venus— Townsend, Davenport, Armstrong, Aiken (stroke) 1 Wanganui Rowing Club's Rata — Thomson, Booth, Clifford, Curtis (stroke) ... 2 Only two boats were entered for this event. The Unions made a wxetched start. The starter having ordered them to back water, called out *' go " when they were doing so ; consequently Aiken caught a crab and Davenport missed the water. This gave the Rowing Club a lead of nearly three lengths, which they maintained for a short distance. But the Unions gradually , drew up, and when the bend was reached both boats were on even terms. ' Rounding the bend young Ferry, with a skillful bit of steering, cut off a length or two of the distance, and the Unions shot ahead and won as they liked with about 2£ lengths to Bpare. Sailing Race— For open boats, without cen-tre-boards ; distance, twice round course ; first prize, £10 ; second, £5. J. W. Gannaway's Rover ... ... ... 1 F. Saville's Chance It 2 J, Hillary'* Water Nymph.;, ..: ... 3 Five boats started for this event, which was most interesting. A very good start was effected, Nymph securing a slight lead, followed by Chance It, the others close np. Chance It, however, soon shot ahead, and continued increasing a long lead until the wharf was passed for the second time. But in rounding the river" buoy a mistake was made, Chance It taking the wrong course. After sailing back to the wharf the craft was sent back, rounded the buoy again and commenced to oVerhaul the others, by this time far ahead. At the finish Chance It secured second place, being only about 30 yards behind Rover, Water Nymph third, the others having reefed sails at various stages. • ' Senior Fours — In four-oared inrigged boats ; distance, about two and a half miles ; first prize, £15 ; second, £5. Union Boat Club's Venus — Leydon, Bates, Ruscoe, McGonagle (stroke) ... ... 1 Manawatu Rowing Club's Manawatu— J. CoHids, W. Collins, Edwards, Howe (stroke) ... ... ... 2 Only these two boats were entered, The race requires no description. It was simply a little amusement for the Unions, who ran off with the, lead- and maintained it to the end, winning by as much as they liked. Junior Foung-In four-oared outrigged boats; distance, about one .and ft half miles ; first prize, £10; second, £3. Manawatu Rowing Club's Dolly Varden— Gray, La Batt,' Symohs, Burr (stroke) 1 Wellington Star Club's Comet— Barraud, McGregor, Roberts, Gargill {stroke)... 2 Wanganui Rowing Club's Matai—Greenwood,. Aitken, Reimenschneiner, j Blyth (stroke) ... ... 3 Union Boat Club's Wanganui— O'Donnell, McGonagle, Connell, Nicholson (stroke) 4 This was a most exciting and eventful race. A very fair start was effected ; but before many yards were covered the Foxton crew obtained a slight lead, with the Unions next, the W.R.C. and the Stars being on even terms. A short distance from the bend the Dolly shot ahead, and the Wanganni dropped in between the Matai and the Comet, the two latter closing up and completely jamming the Wanganui, compelling Nicholson to pull up and let the others pass. If the Unions had continued rowing the Matai would have bee.ii smashed to pieces. When this difficulty was got over there was a rush to pick up the Dolly, by this time enjoying a good lead. When the bend was reached the Matai was fast making up lost ground, and opposite the wharf they were close up to the Foxton man, but in. the wash and laboring. , About sixty yards from the post. the Wellington men put on a grand spurt, passed the W.R.0., and narrowly escaped/ winning. It waa evident that if this spurt had been put.' on ! half way up the straight the Comet would have come in first. Then came protest and counter protest,' in. the confusion of which it is hard to say who will get the money. So far as was known when the train left Foxton, the Wanganni R.C. protested against Foxton, Wellington protested against Wanganui R.C.and Foxton protested against both. So that,^ as the i Unions are the only men not protested i against, they stand a chance of getting second money at ! least. ■ ■ Senior FouRS-In four-oared outrigged boats; distance, about two and a half miles j first prize, £20 } second, £5, Union Boat Club's Venus. —Ley don, Bates, Ruscoe, McGonagle (stroke) 1 Manawatu Rowing Club's Dolly Varden. — J. Collins, W. Collins, Edwards, Howe (stroke) 2 This was a farce from start to finish. Both boats were half full of water before half the distance was rowed. The Unions got clean away from their opponents, and won by about a dozen lengths. The rowing of the Foxton men in this race was simply disgraceful for any senior crew. Junior Fours. —In four-oared inrigged boats; distance, about one-and-ahalf miles ; first prise, £7 ; second, £9. Manawatu Rowing Club's Manawatu.--Gray, Labatt, Symone, Burr (stroke) 1 Union Boat Club's Venus,— O'Donnell, Armstrong,Connell, Nicholson (stk), w 2

Wellington Star Club's Meteor.— Barraud, MoOr«gor, Roberts, Cargill(«tk) ... 3 This irace was a series of spurts if rom begin* ning tp.end. The Wellington men got into some.bad water, and fell behind. The Foxton men had the best position in the river and stuck to it, refusing to increase the lead so as to allow the others the benefit of the current. The W.R.C.'s were completely out of the running, and rowed ashore at the wharf, 300 yards from home. The Unions and Stars followed up the Foxton boat, spurting gamely all the way, but to no pur* pose The Manawatu had the advantage and kept it, finishing three lengths ahead of the Venus, the Meteor a good third. The Sculling Race was won easily, by Braithwaite, Quin second. Batkin did not start.

We cannot finish this notice without awarding the highest praise to young Ferry, who acted throughout as coxswain for the Unions, for the masterly manner in which he navigated the varying current of the river. The Unions have every reason to credit him with a large share in their wins of yesterday.