ROWING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2329, 23 October 1908, Page 3

ROWING.

THE OPENING DAY.

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION.

With the exception of one rather heavy shower shortly after 3 p.m., there was brilliant weather for the opening day of the 1908-9 rowing season, which was held yesterday. The high wind caused a rather nasty “jobble” on the river, but it did notto any extent interfere with the racing. "The sheds were looking well, both having been recently renovated, and were flying handsome new flags. The day's proceedings opened with an imposing procession of launches, racing boats, and pleasure boats, in the , following order.: Harbor Board launch (having bn board the City Band); Nelson Bros.’ “To Auto” with. Mr. E. P. Joyce, President of the Poverty Bay Club, and* Mr. A. IKennedy, President of the Club, accompanied by Mrs. Kennedy; Mr. G. J. Black and party in his launch “Sprite” ; _ Mr. C. Thomas s new launch of racing build ; the Hole-in-the-Wall Syndicate’s launch. The Gisborne launch,. bearing Messrs L. B. Sherriff and G. I • Adair, acted as marshal’s boat. After the launches came the racing boats, four-oars, and double and single sculls from each club, which were followed in their turn by a number of pleasure boats of all kinds. Prominent amongst the latter wore Mr. Rex. W.illock’s Canadian canoe, and Mr. A. W. Murray’s new skiff, which was just landed from Auckland a few clays ago.. The boats, which were, in many cases gaily decorated with bunting, assembled at the boat sheds, and proceeded in single file as far as the goods sheds on the' wharf, where they turned, and forming /into double file took the AVaimata river for their route, as far as Harris’ Bend. Here they again .turned, and made for the Trafalgar' Rotunda. •On arrival at the rotunda the boats assembled on the river, and a largo concourse of spectators gathered on the banks of the esplanade for the official opening of the season, and the christening of the Gisborne Club’s new boats.

His Worship the Mayor (Mr. AV. D. Lysnar), who wore his chain of office, formally declared the season open. In a short speech he congratulated the rowing clubs upon tli© successful display, which he said augured well for the success of the season. Rowing was a- manly and healthy recreation, and deserved every encouragement. In conclusion, ho wished the sport a most prosperous time for the coming season, and on the call of the Mayor three cheers were given.

Mrs. A. F. Kennedy then gracefully performed the ceremony*, of christening the Gisborne Club’s “AA 7ainui,” “Waikohu,” and “Waihora.” As each boat was brought up for its baptism, Mrs. Kennedy held a large bottle of champagne decorated with the club colors, and gently broke it with a small hammer, letting the sparkling liquor fall on the bow of the boat. The latest addition to the club’s fleet, the “Wainui,” manned by the club’s senior fctir, was first on the list, and in naming her Mrs. Kennedy said “I christen you ‘ Wainui’ ; may you have a prosperous career.” Next came the “Waikohu,” carrying the veteran oarsmen of the club, and Mrs. Kennedy said “I christen you ‘Waikohu’; may you be the winner of many races.” Last of the three came the “Waihora,” with the Gisborne Club’s representatives in the Married v.. Single race, and the words by which she was baptised were “I christen you ‘Waihora’.; may you carry many crews to victory.” At the conclusion of the naming of the boats, Mrs. Kennedy was loudly cheered for the manner in which she conducted the ceremony.

• The remaining part of the programme was&devoted to the races, and some good sport .was witnessed. Out of four events the Poverty Bay Club representatives won three, while the married .v. single event was declared a dead., heat. Notwithstanding the fact of it being so early in the season, fairly good form was -displayed, and the keenness evinced promises well for the success of the season. The. following are the results of the races:—

.Senior Inter-Club Fours.—Poverty Bay (M. McLeod stroke, B. Lowe, T. Shoan, C. AVinter) beat Gisborne (P. C. Bayly stroke, G. Puflett, P. Hamilton, F. Gumming). This was a fast race, but from shortly after the start the -Poverty Bay crew established a slight lead, which they maintained to the finish, winning comfortably by a length. Inter-Club Double Sculls.—Poverty Bay (J. Stewart and C. Clark) beat Gisborne (G. Buscke and AV. Luttrell). Another good race-.. The issue was in doubt until the last fifty yeards, when Poverty Bay spurted and gradually forged ahead, winning by three-parts of a length. Inter-Club Veterans’ Fours. —In this race the Gisborne Club was represented by Green . stroke, 11. E. Maude, F. J. Teat, and G. Buscke. The Poverty Bay Club could not get a- veteran crew together, and son tout their senior crew. The inevitable-re-sult of trained men pitted against untrained followed, the wearers of the blue and white winning as they liked. The Gisborne crew rowed a gallant race, but were clearly outclassed. Married v. Single Fours.—This was a. mixed event, each boat carrying two representatives from each Club. The race was closely contested all the way and the judges being unable to separate the boats at the finish, declared a dead heat. The following were the crows: —Married: J. Stewart and C. Somervell (Poverty Bay), L. F. AVil,lianas and AA 7 . Johnston (Gisborne). Single: E. Roclio and R. Huston (Poverty Bay), and M. Doyle and C. .Rogers (Gisborne). Dingey Race, for youths under 21, interest was taken by the boys in this event, and there were a large number of entrants. After some rather exciting racing, Masters Parker and O’Meara (scr.) wero declared the winners, and Masters DeLautour and Riddell won a Consolation Race.

The senior inter-club single sculls event did not take place. The City Band, both on the Harbor Board’s launch and at the rotunda, played a number 1 of very enjoyable selections. POVERTY BAY CLUB. The following crews have been selected to compel© for jVJr* Cos’s

trophies: —J. Webb (str), L. O. Nicolas, F. J. Horkishor, J. O’Neill; A; Kirk (str), F. E. Porter, M. Sceats, J. Teesdalo; S. Ledger .(str), J. Bragge, T. Bristow, W. Lowe; J. Stuart (str), R. Holden. W. Westward, T. Clark; McGuffie (str), G. Douglas, R. Huston, J. McKenzie; A. 'McConnell (str), C. Orr, J, McConnell, G. McDowell; R. Jones (str), J 3. Karton, tS. Doig, W. Dayman; T. Sliecn (str), P. Grogan, \A . Pritchard, G. Hughes; J. M. Nicolas (str.), G. Smith, 'O. Winter, J. Malone; F. Sevmour (str),. T. McConnell, E. AVhit-field, J. Norman; B Lowe .(str), C. Clark, P. Fallback, Wilkinson ; A. Pritchard (str), F. I ox, 1. Clark, V. Peterson. ' yl