WANGANUI REGATTA.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9390, 17 March 1898, Page 3

WANGANUI REGATTA.

Officials.

Matrons— His Worship tho Mayor, Mr A. fiatrick; and G. Carson, M.H.R. Pre- . sident— Mr C. V. Powell. Vice-Presi-dents- Messrs F. M. Spurdle, J. Bates anil G. Collins. Starters— Messrs F. Atkins (rowing) and J. Bates (canoe race 3. Umpire and Referee — Mr W. Montgomery. Assistant Starteis — Messrs J. Oronin (rowing) and C. Jones (canoe race). Judges— Messrs A. Atkins (rowing), Messrs W. S. Goffe and Takarangi Mete Kingi (canoe events). Timekeeper- -Mr W. H. G. Foster. Auditor — Mr J. Notman. Committee — Messrs A^Lewis, Le Cren, D. Bell, G. Johnston, A. Ward, M. Keegan, G. Marshall, W. Haywood, A. Gray, O. Hughes, W. Goffe, W. Taylor, and Captains and Secretaries of local Clubs.

The weather this morning was anything lmt promising for tho annual Regatta, and oa the day wore on several smart showers fell, and these together with a cold wind which sprang up made matters rather ungleasant. The Garrison Band, under Bandmaster Richardson, played a number choice selections on the bank. ' There is a large attendance of tho public watching the races, and chief interest seems to attach to the Maori canoe events, which aro undoubtedly the feature of the Regatta. Itismanyyearssinceaßighteimilar to that witnessed this afternoon, when upwards of 200 Maori men competed in the one race, was seen in Wanganui, and vividily recalls to mind old recollections during the time of the native disturbances thirty or forty years ago, when hundreds of dusky warriors in their war oanoes were daily scon on the river. The Eight of the native crews, paddling with a uniformity as if regulated by clock work, was one not soon to be forgotten. The antics of the tekos or time-keepers and the war songs and the war whoops of the crews, stripped as they were to the buff, conveys to the mind but .a slight idea of the habits of the natives when living in their savage state. With respect to the rowing eyonts, it is much to be regretted that so little life is apparent in this healthful and pleasurable pastime. Throughout the colony there seems to be a waning interest In aquatics, doe, as some maintain, to the growing popularity of cycling, which seems to have a greater fascination for our young men. The fact that at the Championship RegaHa but three crews have entered for tho big race, and that at Wellington and Nelson, as also in the rowing centres of the South, great difficulty is experienced fli getting together a single senior crew, is proof of the decline of this recreative branch of sport. It is certainly not very encourafiiug to the subscribers to the Regatta funds to know that for the big evert (seniors) but two crews have entered, especially after the great enthusiasm displayed by tho Unions at the opening of the season. There must be a screw loose somewhere when a club with such a good membership as the light blues foils to eater a senior crew. Fqe fee. Maiden and

Junior events, however, capital entries have been received, and some excellent contests have resulto J. Mudi;n Fouhs, 1 mile. Fiist prize, £8: second, £2. Wellington R.C.— A. McAlpine (stroke), J. McDonald (3), W. Gaudin (2), W. SpOTgo (bow) 1 Star (Wellington)- C. W. Cox (stroke), D. R. Menssies (3), A. J. S. Thombon (2), G. C. P. Tripe (bow) . . 2 Aramoho, No. I—J.1 — J. Haywood (stioke), W. Hay wood (3), A. Hay wood (2). F. Haywood (bow) 3 Aramoho, No. 2— J. 11. llpgun (stioke), Hill (3), Stewart (2), Bcncfield (bow) 4 Wanganui U.B C. — Jn. Carrell (stioke), H. Davis (3), R. Lannigan (2), T. Mm lay (bow) 5 Wanganui R.C. — H. R. Lewis (stroke), S. h. Wright (.!), J. Rruco (2), R. Blenneihassett (bow) .. ..6 Considerable delay was occasioned in starting tho fiist event owing to tho difficulty of getting the six boats in position, the wind blowing those lii the stream over to the Eastown side. The Stars close under tho bank, had the best of tho water. Tho two Wellington ciews had slightly the best of the stait. No. 3in Hay wood's (Aramoho) ciow caught a rather foimidable crab soon after starting, and the boat lost consideiable ground in consequence. Wellington Rowing Ckib gradually ciept to the front, followed bj the Stais, Haywood's orow last. At the Railway Bridge the Wellington Rowing Club had a length's lead of the Stais, then the Unions a length behind, AramoVo No. 2 next half a length away. The Wonganuis gave up 300 yards below the Railway Bridge. The Wellington R.C. crew increased their lead, passing the pest three lengths to the good, the Stais about a length ahead of Aramoho No. ] , which crept up into third position, Aramoho No. 2 next, Unions close tehind. Both Wellington crews rowed with a good long swinging stroke, with a clean catch and finish, worthy of example by local oarsmen. They, however, had decidedly the best of the water. Canoe Race — Aotearoa Championship. 2 Miles, for crews of not less than 20 men. Te Wehi (Korinitij 1 Mangaone (Jerusalem) 2 Pou-a-riki-nki (Parakino) . . . . 3 Waikahua (Banana) 4 The Koriniti crew, which is encamped on the other side of the liver, between Duncan's and Nixon's, led from the start and passed the winning post a length to the good, a length and a half separating the third and fourth crews fiom the second. The crews avernged over 30 men , and the race was a very pietty one. Srniob OtJTßia. First prize, £15 : second prize, £5. Wanganui R.C— J. R. Orford (stroke), E. J. Le Cron (3), G. F. Johnston (2), A. W. Ward (bow) 1 Aramoho B.C.— M. Keegan (stroke), R. Kirk (3), T. O'Shannessey (2), P. Keegau (bow). 2 Although there were but two starters the public wereiewarded with the sight of a magnificent struggle for supremacy. Keegan's crew got a slight advantage in the start and led as far as Stewart's, whore Orfoid called on his men and in turn led to Fitzherbert'a. Tho boats again changed positions before the milway bridge was reached, the Aramoho crow thooting underneath aquaiter of a length to the good, and maintained the lead till 300 ynrda from homo. Orford was not to be denied and another gallant spurt resulted in him leading his men to victory by about a quarter of a length, after one of the finest rtces seen on tho river. Both crows were rowed out. Time, 16mm 23 3 sth sec. Juniob Clinkebs 1$ Miles. First prize, £8 ; second, £2. Wellington E.C— A. McAlpine (stroke), J. McDonald (3), W. Gaudin (2), W. Sp.argo (bow) 1 Aramoho No. I—3.1 — 3. Haywood (stroke), W. Haywood (3), A. Haywood (2), F. Ha) wood (bow) 2 Wanganui U.B.C Jn. Carroll (stroke), H. Davis (8), R. Lannigan (2), T. i Murray (bow) 3 Aramoho No. 2, Stars, and Wanganui also started. From an even start Aramoho No, 1 shot ahead, the Wellington Rowing Club also showing in front of other crews. At the Railway Bridge Haywood had a lead of a quarter of a length, the Wellington Rowing Club sticking close to them. A ding dong go resulted between these two. The Wellington reps, had the most left in them, and passed the post about a length to the good, the Unions four lengths behind. Aramoho No. 2 stopped rowing just before the pbst ; otherwise they could have been placed third. Th« Stars and Wanganuis were close together, la3t. Alterations in the latter crew at the last moment, owing to the illness of Lewis, militated against any chance they might otherwise have had. Time, 10mm 11 l-sth sec. W.R.C. and College Match. Wanganui R.C— A. Whiteford (stroke), A. E. Hevcock (3), R. Callendar(2), J. Kerr(bow) 1 College- O. G. Saxby (stroke), E. Nairn (3), W. G. Saxby (2), E. V. Riddifurd (bow) 2 Won by three lengths.