AQUATICS,

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 849, 14 June 1906, Page 11

AQUATICS,

(By “The Reefer.”) The members of the St. George’s Rowing Club will hold their annual dinner at the Strand Cafe on Friday, June 29. * * * * The race for the Standard Cup, which trophy was won by the Rewa, has been declared no race. After the event it was discovered that Rewa had been steered by a man who was not a member of the Powe-' Boat Association. This being a breach of the rules, the race was awarded to the second boat, Matareka, but Commodore Whitley, the owne" of the latter boat, in a very sportsmanlike way, protested against receiving the cup on these conditions. Ultimately it has been decided to hold another race at the commencement of next season. * * * * The members of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron will hold a smoke concert at the Squadron rooms. During the course of the evening the prizes won during the season will be presented by the Commodore. An excellent musical programme has been arranged. * * * * The committee of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron have secured a fifty years’ lease of ten acres of ground at Matiatia. It is intended to later on erect a small auxiliary clubhouse for the use of members, while the ground will be made available for cricket and other games. * * * *• The Great Eastern, a boat far in advance of her time, and in her daj considered one of the wonders of the world, was 692 ft long, yet the new Cunarder launched a few days ago is 800 ft. The Great Eastern actual y displaced 27,000 tons, but the latest flier is 43,000 tons. Her main anchor cable weighs over 100 tons. Some idea of the enormous power required to drive her at 25 knots may be realised when it is stated that the turbines are expected to develop 80,006 horse-power, or just double that of the Kaiser Wilhelm 11., the previous most powerful ship.

I have to acknowledge from “ The Field” office receipt of the first number of “ The Yachting Monthly.” If it is a sample of what future issues are to be like, then all that remains to be said is that it must succeed, for it is a publication no yachtsman can do without and be abreast of the times. Profusely illustrated, it contains, in addition, some very readable articles by several of the foremost men in the sport to-day, and is one of the best magazines I have come across for many a long day.

This year’s Champonship of the Sea was won at Monaco by the French motor launch Delahaye. In the handicap race, when the weather was rought, the YarrowNapier won for England. The small launch Seasick, a craft of only 8 metres in length and fitted with an Itala motor, ran a flying mile at 27% knots, which is a record for her length.

Some famous oarsmen have entered for the Veteran Scullers’ Race, which will be rowed August 4 on the Parramatta River, over a course of 1% miles. Those who have nominated are as follow: —Richard Banks, aged about 73; Richard A. W. Green, aged 70; Michael Rush, aged 62; Ellis C. Laycock, aged 62; William Lyons, aged 63; William Beach, aged 56; Henry Pearce, aged 55; Peter Kemp, aged 53; John McLean, aged 51; Thomas Clifford, aged about 54; Charles Reynolds, aged about 54; John Power, age unknown; Robert T. Armstrong, aged 54. Banks has not rowed since the Centennial regatta (1888), and was never in the front rank of best boat rowing. Green had a very long and successful career, and in 1863 rowed the late Robert Chambers for the championship of England; he was defeated. He has not rowed for over 20 years. Laycock won many races, and twice visited England, also paid a visit to Amercia. Lyons won single and double-sculling races, also in fours, and was a good man. Beach’s career is well known, and so is that of Kemp. Pearce did a lot of rowing and was a great man in light skiffs and heavy boats.

The New Zealand Power Boat Association will hold a social evening on Thursday, June 21, when the prizes won dr ring the season will be presented. It is almost a pity this evening was chosen, as the date clashes with the function for the Society for the Protection of Women and Children, and many would like to attend both.