ROWING.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20091, 21 November 1930, Page 16

ROWING.

WANGANUI BEAT CHRIST'S

COLLEGE.

unfavourable conditions. (SPECIAL 'JO THI PKESS.) WANGANUI. November 20. "Under conditions that were the reverse of enjoyable, the annual fouroared race between Wanganui Collegiate School and Christ's College was rowed on the "Wanganui river this morning. Several heavy showers iell a eouple of hours before the race, while rain threatened right up to starting time, though none fell whilo the event was being rowed. Gusts of wind blowing up the river caused the water to be rough soon after ten o'clock, and with the tide commencing to run out it got rougher than ever. Had the event been started at 10 o'clock the surface would have been in fair order, but the half-hour that elapsed before the starting signal was given %vas sullicieut to enable the wind and the ebb tide to get the water into a state that was the reverse of inviting for the crew .vhich was unfortunate enough to loso the toss. 1 hus ic was evident as soon as Wanganui won the toss that unless the visitors were able to produoe some superhuman effort or some ill-fortune should befall the Wanganui four, victory would go to the local crew. Naturally they would have the benefit of the shelter of the bank for part of the distance, and this would provide them with a chance to open up a gap that would be hard to bridge over the later stages. So it proved in the race. Choosing the more sheltered water undop t.hf bnnl;. whilo tho Christ's College crew had to take the more exposed position further out in the river, "Wanganui were quickly under way when the signal was given and soon established a lead. They were half a length in front before a dozen strokes were given, and with a quarter of a mil#» covered, their margin was over a length. A little further on they had increased this to two lengths, and by the time half the total distance ot a. mil© had been covored, this had Leen doubled. It wa& not until the crews had reached this stage that both felt the full force of the conditions'. Plugging steadily away tlio Collegiate crew maintained their advantage, in spite of the efforts of Christ's College, who must be given credit for tho game display under unaccustomed conditions. No extra effort was required on the part of Wanganui to pass the judges five lengtlis ahead of their rivals, their victory being received with tumultuous applause and prolonged cheering, which was renewed as their opponents crossed the line. They well merited the recognition of their splendid effort. In their first half dozen strokes, the crew shipped some and with the job We on the river causing their craft to ship still more water as they proceeded on their way, their boat was well laden before they had reached the half-way point, hence they had a great deal of dead-weight to pull. Their opponents, on the other hand, were more fortunate over the early stages. From half-way until a hundred yards off the finishing point, Christ's College held their opponents down to the four lengths' lead that had been established, and it was only over the final stages that Wanganui went away again. The respective crews were as follows: Wanganui Collegiate School—B. D. O. Coleman (bow), W. P. Bell (2), T. H. N. White (31, R. T. Lee (stroke), W. H. Hartgill (cox). Christ's College—J. M. "Kerr (bow). J. B. Fergr.son, captain (2), P. W. •"Shield (3), F. M. Hilgeudorf (stroke), M P. Jones (cox). The "Wanganui Collegiate School four were coached by Mr W. Sharps, while Mr A. J. Dunn was coach of the Christ's College crew. Results to Date. Results of contests to date are : 1913—College beat AVanganui, Upper Mill, by four length*. 1914—Wanganui beat College, at Wanganui, by two and a half lengths. 1915—College beat Waitaki Boys' High School, Kerr's Reach ; Wanganui not competing. 1916—College won ihe tournament, held at Kerr's Reach. 1917—Collc-ge beat Wanganui, at Wanganui, by three lengths. 1918—College beat AVanganui, afc Corsair Bay, by four lengths, 1919—AVanganui beat College, at Wansranui, by one length. 1920—"Wanganui beat College, afc Cor.saTr Bay, by twenty lengths. 1921—Wanganui beat College, at AVanganui, by five lengths. 1922—Wanganui beat College, at Corsair Bay, easily. 1923—Wanganui beat College, at AVar.ganui, by three and a half lengths. 1924—College beat Wango nui, at Avonside, by two lengths. 1023—Wanganui beat College, at AVanganui, easily. 1926—N0 race. 1927—College beat Wanganui, at Kerr's Reach, by one-third of a length. 19®—College beat Wanganui, afc Wanganui, by one and a quarter lengths. 192&—College beat Wanganui, at Kerr's Reach, by twelve lengths. 1930—AVanganui bent College, at AVanganui, by five lengths. SUMNER-BEDCLIFFS CLUB. Mr C. Hart presided over a meeting of tho committee of the Sumner-Ilcdcliff* Rowing Club. I^iesent: Meslrs M. Hullntt. W. Kilner, O. Johnson, E. Neville, E. Hullett, C. Wing, C. Truscott, E. Arnold, and L. S. Woods (secretary). It was resolved to send a letter of tlianks to Messrs F. Strong and R. Sullivan for donations.

On the motion of Mr M. Hullett, it, was resolved that Messrs Kilnor and Neville should make an inspection of the jetty and report upon its condition at the next meeting-. Miss R. Olliver was elected a member. It was decided that the' committee should inspect the shed and th«> plant. The meeting agreed to row the Patron Fours on Saturday, November 2eth.

It was decidod that the club should write to the secretary of the Civic Federation for information regarding its constitution.