NAPIER ROWING CLUB.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3265, 19 December 1881, Page 2

NAPIER ROWING CLUB.

The annual trial fours of the Napier Rowing Club crews took place on the inner harbor on Saturday afternoon. There was a considerable attendance on the Western Spit, although, no doubt, the threatening appearance of the weather deterred many from being present. The course was from the wreck-house on the western beach to a flag fixed near to Long Point, exactly one mile.

Tbe first heat was between two senior fours, as follows :-— Nymph : Tabuteau, stroke; Westeura, No." 3 ; Gibbons, No. 2 ; Gell, bow. Formosa :F. Kennedy, stroke; 0. D. Kennedy, No. 3; Arrow, No. 2 ; Hansard, bow. There was a bad start, owing to a misunderstanding on the part of the starter as to what the stroke of the Formosa said when asked if he was ready. The crew, however, accepted the start, and with them rests the responsibility. The Formosa was out of the race from the beginning, Tabuteau bringing his crew to the flag from five to six lengths in front of their opponents. Complaints were general of tht unsatisfactory condition of the Formosa, and as she had to be abandoned before the races were over there were probably good grounds for such complaints. Last year the crews which rowed in her lost every race, and the opinion was then expressed that she was very much inferior to the Nymph. Steps should either have been taken to procure a new boat, or to borrow one from the Union Club at the commencement of the contests. It is heart-breaking work for a crew to pull in a boat which they know to be very much inferior to that used by their rivals, and the result must be unsatisfactory to everybody.

'1 he second heat of the seniors between the following crews was the next event : — Nymph: J. Begg, stroke: Grade, No. 3; St. Hill, No. 5; Rich, bow. Formosa : Sheath, stroke ; Colledge, No. 3 ; Hanna, No. 2; Parker, bow. Both crews took a somewhat eccentric course, the boats being very widely apart. The rowing of both crews was remarkably good, but the Nymph again came away, and won by three lengths. The juniors then put in an appearance. In the Nymph: Warerbouse, stroke; W. Cato, No. 3 ; Macfarlane, No. 2 ; Tylee, bow. la the Formosa: C. Cato, stroke ; Hunter, No. 3 ; Rochfort, No. 2; Collins, bow. The race commenced a little wildly, both crews throwing the water-up, probably owing to a little excitement; they soon settled down to their work, however, and an admirable race resulted. Both crews kept well together over the best part of the course, but during the last quarter of a mile the Nymph drew away and won a well contested race by a little over a length. The race between the ships boats came oext, and three crews put in an appearance, one from the Waikato, one from the Wave Queen, and a ship's boat stroked by J. Northe. A good start was made, and the boats keeping well together over the greater part of the course the result appeared doubtful until close on the finish. The Waikato boat was leading slightly for the last half mile, and when nearing the flag they put on a splendid spurt and came in a winner by about four lengths. The Wave Queen made a vigorous effort for second place, but failed to get up with Nortbe, who came in two lengths ahead. This race created tbe greatest interest among the spectators, and the victory of the Waikato was hailed with cheers; the appearance of the boat, and the rowing of the crew, having been greatly admired. There wa9 some delay in bringing off the final heat between the senior fours, owing to the discovery that the Formosa leaked. Arrangements were made for Tabufeau's crew to row in a boat belonging to the Union Club, and we have no hesitation in faying that the result of the change was to give them the race. The start was a good one, and the race throughout was a most determined struggle. Although Tabuteau's crew won by a length, Begg and those behind him contested every inch of water, and to our way of thinking came to the flaef rowing in better style than tbeir opponents. The coxßwains for the different crews were Messrs N. Kennedy, Spencer, and Parker. Mr GK T. Cross acted as starter,

and Mr James Dinwiddie as judge. Before the close of the rowing contests many of the yachts which bad been taking part in the sailing match came close in shore, and some of them displaying a considerable amount of bunting the harbour presented a very lively appearance.