THE BIG SCULLING RACE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 126, 20 February 1908, Page 9

THE BIG SCULLING RACE.

POINTS FOB SPECTATORS. (FKOH OUR SPECIAL. correspondent.) .'Wancanui, February 18. . Owing to the WeUington-jVlanawatu Railway Company not putting on trains, Wellingtqnians coming here on February 25, unless coming by the mail train the day before, will find tho aftornoon train to Palmorston the last one, they can travel by. Stop-ping-overnight at Palmcrston, they cau come by tlio ordinary morning train, arriving here 'akojut 11. o'clock, or can travel by a'special leaving at ;5.20 a;m. and arriving in AVanga.nui: about 8-30. The evoning trains outward will bo'delayed, but Wellington people will not ; get beyond Pulmorston on tho samo night, unless tho Wellington-Mauawatu Company alter their mind. ' Special trains as well as doublo mail trains will lie run on the Govern-ment-'lines,north and .south. < - : . The next point; for visitors to note on arrival here is the steamer itinerary. Hoats start running at 7 'a.m., tickets 35., but thn accommodation for- these is moro than half booked, in-advanco. Thoso who are managnig the' transport arrangements on behalf of tho •aouller's''havo "decided on differential rates, so that ns many' as possible will go up early. Therefore' tickets by tho 8 o'clock boats will be 45., 9 o'clock to noon 55., noon to 2 o'.clock ;6s.i Those following the race in tho ; umpiro'.i boat', and othor;steamers should particularly note: that .they' must not go up by: an. early steamer, 11 unless thoy .'want to miss thoir passage,' as. these 'boats will. fill up 'at - tho wharf in . town, and will go 'direct'to-' tho'starting point, returning to town immediately after tho race. Also, buyers of tickets should havo •the exact money ready, as it is notified that no ehaiige, will be .'given. Those who from iany cause aro unable to obtain a passage will havo their money refunded on presentation of tickets next day. •• • . ■■■..- ;

Every offort 'is being-made to';deal .'.vitli the carriage of, tho people back to I'jwn, and it :is expected to havo the last- of the ;siglitsi er3 home again by • 8 p.m. Fences and : gatp3 will be erected at tlio landing. point, aud traffic on-shore will bo regulated by tho polico, to avoid accident. ' :

. '.Unfortunately the finishing point does not give too good a''view of'the coursiv as'there is no rising ground there, and the public should ;.,take liotico that, tho hank .is very rotten. and precipitous at that place. Tlie best point to view the> raco!is at tlio turn in the. course,, about a mile off the: finish, lyhero a splendid amphitheatre of .hills gives practically ail unobstructed view, of tho whqlo three mile's. This means a walk of about a mile and a quarter from tho landing place. This point has the'drawback of being a milo from tho finish, which wilj make the judging of the end of a.desperate'race'somewhat difficult. Spectators, -however, havollo option, but to. take such yantago. groiirids. as Nature gives, : and it is not, possible to alter the course, as to do so .would 'spoil (it from tho point of view of tho scullers. • Your, correspondent,, however, thinks the spectators will not havo much fault to find with the position indicated,: and,; recommends it" -as tho;' best place. • • ",, '-'• - '.There iis »• good hill, slopo about .a. quarter, of a milo below, tho finish on a right-angled bend facing tho last mile of thej course, where' ;a. good • view; of that part of .tlio .race; can-'bo had, but steamers do not land on that aido, and this:position is best"suited l for those going up in their: own conveyances •