PARTICULARS OF THE RACE.

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 96, 6 February 1890, Page 2

PARTICULARS OF THE RACE.

The race was from half a mile north of Ngauranga to the Queen's Wharf. Previous to the start, Mattersbn laid 15 to 5 on Stephenson. - Exactly 12 minutes after 11 Hearn was heard to shout " go," and they started, Hearn being first . to catch the water. For the first ten minutes both men rowed 86 strokes to the minute. They kept well together for about half a mile. As they neared Dimock's the Sydney man, who was rowing in fine form, had obtained a decided lead. Even at this early stage of the race Hearn -seemed to be laboring, and Matterson offered 100 to 20 his man won. Stephenson was steering a, much better course than Hearn. Off Kaiwara Stapbenson, rowing- 27 to the minute, had got a lead of several lengths, and still pulling a nice even stroke, increasing, his lead to four or five lengths. Hearing the Thorndon reclamation Hearn, amidst a storm of applause from the crowds on the breastwork, put in a few vigorous strokes and lessened the gap. Stephenson, however, responded with a strong stroke or two, and immediately regained the lost grbund. It was now evident that Stephenson must win. Hearn was not yet done with, and amidst great excitement he made a last and mighty effort off the baths,' and succeeded in getting within three lengths of his opponent. But Stephenson had the race well in hand,' and rowing with apparent ease he shot past the judge's boat amidst cheers, a good four lengths ahead of Hearn. Stephenson finished strong, while Hearu seemed rowed out. The^latter has held; the New Zealand Championship sinee '1874, '"