AQUATICS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XII, Issue 741, 19 May 1904, Page 13

AQUATICS.

(By

“The Reefer.”)

The prizes won during the season by the vachts belonging to the Royal N.z. Yacht Squadron were presented to the successful owners by His Excellency the Governor at a social evening held last Thursday at the Squadron Rooms. A small working party decorated the rooms for the occasions with Hags shrubs, and Chinese lanterns, the effect achieved being extremely pretty. lhe attendance was a very large pne, nearly all the kindred sailing clubs being represented by their flag officers. A very good musical programme was carried out while refreshments were dispensed at ’the interval. Towards the close of the proceedings, Commodore Murdoch expressed the sincere regret of all yachtsmen at the approaching departure of His Excellency from the Colony. He referred to the many good works done by His Excellency during his Governorship, and instanced the Veterans’ Home as one of the best. The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron was greatly indebted to the Governor for the interest he had taken in its welfare, and their only consolation in connection with their regret at his departure was the statement that His Excellency’s successor was a vachtsman. He wished His Excellency long life and happiness, and assured him that he would never be forgotten by the members of the club of which he was a life member. His Excellency, who was received with loud applause, thanked the commodore for his kind remarks, and expressed his great pleasure at being present that evening. He narrated some of his personal yachting experiences, and said he was glad that he had played no insignificant part in getting the Auckland Club’s right to the title of “Royal” recognised. (Applause.) He was pleased at the reference to the Veterans’ Home, which was providing a refuge for the old veterans in their declining years. (Applause.) He concluded by wishing continued success to the Royal N.Z. Yacht Squadron. Proceedings, which were of a most enthusiastic nature, concluded with hearty cheers for the Governor.

Sir Rupert Clarke’s fine cruising schooner La Carabine, unexpectedly pur into Whangaroa last week. She is on a voyage from Melbourne to the Islands, but after calling at Sydney met with heavy weather in the Tasman Sea and sprung her bowsprit badly.

The great aquatic event in Australia last week w T as the Annual Inter-state Eight-oar race, which took place on the Brisbane River. In describing it, the “Town and Country Journal” savs : —At the starting the positions were First, on the southern bank, West Australia ; second, South Australia ; third, in the centre, Queensland ; fourth, Victoria ; fifth, New South Wales, nearly in the centre of the river. A splendid start was effected, but the Westralians were first to catch the water, although practically all moved off together, New South Wales and Westralia rowing forty strokes to the minute, Victoria forty-two, Queensland and South Australia thirty-nine. Before half a mile had been traversed Victoria was leading New South Wales by a length. Queensland and South Australia were fighting every inch about half a length behind Victoria, and Westralia was already two lengths behind all. Soon after, Westralia stopped rowing, through an accident robbing No. 6 of the use of his stretcher. Meanwhile the contest between the other four crews

was being strenuously fought out. At the one mile Queensland had got up along side of Victoria, who appeared to be very unsteady, but was, nevertheless, rowing a quick stroke. New South Wales gradually dropped behind, and for nearly a mile a terrific race took place between Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia. Eventually Victoria, which had recovered its stroke, took a decided lead. At the half-distance Queensland spurted, and gained such an advantage that they led the Victorians by half a length, with South Australia hanging on their stern. By the end of the second mile Victoria had regained the lead, and was rowing a beautiful steady steady stroke. South Australia also made a great recovery, while Queensland seemed to be almost exhausted by their great effort. The Victorians now were rowing thirty-four, Queensland thirty-two, and South Australia thirty-four strokes. In another quarter of a mile Victoria had increased her lead to a couple of lengths, while South Australia was gradually getting ahead of Queensland, with New So iih Wales four lengths behind. At the candle works Victoria led by three lengths, and South Australia was rather more than a length ahead of Queensland. South Australia seemed to be in the best condition. The last half-mile of the race witnessed a fine struggle. The Victorians, though leading, had to row hard for every foot, so persistently did the South Australians stick to them. Queensland made another spurt, and reduced the lead to a length ar.ti a half, but Victoria responding gamely to their stroke’s call, held their own, and eventually won a magnificent race by a length and a half from South Australia, who were about a length and a half from Queensland, who led New South Wales by three lengths. West Australia were left up the river, and did not fintish. The first three crews were more or less exhausted but New South Wales seemed to be fairly fresh. They had rowed beautifully together, but failed to get on speed. Time, tvmin 17 2-5-sec.

The competitors in the race for the amateur championship of Australia, which was also decided at Brisbane, were T. H. Bourke (Tas.), P. C. Ivens (Vic.), and M. J. Slack (Q.). For half a mile there was but little between the competitors. At the chemical works Ivens had half a length lead, but Bourke then made a big spurt and went to the front, quickly taking Ivens’ water. Slack put in good work, and got into second pnsition. At the Hamilton (or at the two miles) Bourke led by five lengths, and dropped from 34 to so strokes, but held himself in splend'd reserve. Ivens made one or two spurts, but, although Slack made a spurt half a mile from home, and left the Victorian b'ehind, he ivas unable to decrease the distance between himself and Bourke. The Tasmanian champion increased his lead, and, spurting at the finish, won by 50 yards, Slack being four lengths ahead of Ivens. Time, IBmin 40sec. Enormous crowds witnessed the races.