AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 164, 14 December 1874, Page 2

AQUATICS.

INTERPROFESSIONAL MATCH.

This event, which, as will be recollected, was first projected last year but fell through, was pulled off on Saturday last over a mile course. Four crews, representing respectively the banking, civil service, squatting, and mercantile interests, were entered, and as all, except perhaps the squatters, had been doing good work in the matter of training, it was expected that the contests for the various heats would be close and exciting—and for half the distance this was the case, but after this, it seemed as if the crews, except the banking interest, had made this their goal, as they died away perceptibly on reaching it. The conditions of the cups are that the same crew shall win them twice, the winning crew of each year receiving medals and holding the cups as a challenge. The winning crew, that of the Banks, came to the post as fit as possible, and their stroke gave them plenty of work to do all the way, to which, however, they answered gallantly. For the first half mile the race between the Banks and Mercantile in the opening heat was as fine a bit of racing as we have seen on the river, the boats being neck and neck nearly the whole distance, and doing their best. The cox of the Banks exhibited by far too great partiality for the overland passage during this part of the race, and for a time their chance of winning was jeopardised by his endeavours to introduce circular sailing navigation into fouroared racing. As it was the pluck and training of Knox’s crew stood then in good stead, and on reaching the quiet water by Pratt’s they answered to stroke’s call to “ put it on,” and shot ahead after a gallantly pulled race all round though the mercantile interest had quite enough of it. The course selected, though having one or two turns in it, was as good as could be got within easy distance of town, and had the advantage of doing away with the necessity of going under the bridge, which in itself was no small one. Owing to the absence of His Honor the Superintendent at Timaru, Mr N. G-. Glassford acted as judge, Mr Herdson as umpire, Mr Crosbie as starter, and Mr Stead as timekeeper. Of the other heats it may be said that the Squatters rowed at disadvantage, having to enlist the services of substitutes, but they fought a very good fight, and, contrary to general expectation, made the pace a very warm one for the Civil Service crew, and at one time looked very like winning. Luck, however, was against them, and it only remains to wish them better fortune on their next trial. The last heat was a runaway one, as was anticipated, tie Bankers getting away with the lead and winning easily. The bow of the Civil Service crew broke his oar off Pratt’s, but the race was over before then, and this mishap did not affect the result. We understand that the Mercantile, not satisfied with their defeat, have challenged the Banks to change boats and row over the same course, and that the challenge has been accepted for to-morrow evening. If they are fit and well, our tip is decidedly in favor of the Banking interest, who are a crew, taken as a whole, that will take a lot to beat. We append the results of Saturday’s racing. INTEB-PROFESSIONAL FOUR-OAR RACE. One mile. Open to representatives of professions. Prize cups to the crews, to be won twice. The winning crew of the first year to receive medals. To be rowed in heats. FIRST HEAT.

Hlyssus (Bankers), north bank—(J. 0. Jones, lOst 7lbs, bow ; J. W. Gray, list 51bs, 2; H, B. Templer, list 71bs, 3lbs ; J. Knox, lOst libs,* stroke ; A, Hawkins, 6st 61bs, cox) 1 Sabrina south bank—(F. Barker, 12st 51bs, bow; H. Gain, list 21bs, 2 ; A. Cuff, 12st 71bs, 3 ; W, Gundry, list, stroke ; McDougall, 6st, cox) 2 Mr Crosbie got both boats away to a capital start, the Sabrina being the first to catch the water, and taking a slight lead after the first half-dozen strokes had been pulled. Both crews then settled down to their work, and the respective stroke oars began to warm them up, without, however, altering the relative positions of the boats, the Sabrina holding a lead of about half-a-yard. Right up the reach to Pepperell’s corner they were still hard at it, all pulling as game as pebbles, though the pace was evidently beginning to tell upon ' the Mercantile cxew, the Bankers being as fresh as paint. Here the cox of the Illyssus, for some reason or other took a sheer right into the bank, bow being unable to pull for several strokes; a little slanging brought the juvenile to his senses, and but a short delay occurred. The cox of the Sabrina, too, kept her too near his side, but without actually touching the bank. The Sabrina thus slightly improved her position, but getting into the still water in the reach by Pratt’s, Knox called on his crew, and quickening his stroke, the old boat began to go like a steam engine, gradually overhauling the Sabrina, and ultimately passing her off Mr Pratt’s house, bow of the Sabrina having had enough of the strife. From this the race was over, the Illyssus going away and ultimately winning by about two boats’ lengths. Time, 7min SOsecs, SECOND HEAT, Sabrina (Civil Service) north bank)— (M. Kilgour, Bst 91bs, bow; M. Lewin, lOst 131bs, 2; M. Davie, 12st 21bs, 3 ; J. W. Davis, lOst 71bs, stroke ; W. S, Bean, 6st 61bs, cox) ... ... 1 Illyssus (Squatters) south bank—(L. Ollivier, list, bow; J. R. Campbell, lOst 71bs, 2 ; A. S. Barton, 12st, 3 ; M. S. Campbell, list 71bs, stroke ; A, Hawkins, 6st 61bs, cox) 2 Both went away at a clipping pace when Mr Crosbie gave the word, the Squatters taking a strong lead, but rowing wild, from want of practice together At Pratt’s corner, the Illyssus was a trifle ahead, but the Sabrina began to come up, and ultimately passed her off Pratt’s. The Squatters, however, not daunted, put on a spurt, but No 2 caught a well developed crab, and shortly after, evidently wishing to secure so fine a specimen of Crustacea for presentation to Dr Haast, went overboard to make sure of it, a second effort having been unsuccessful. This of course put the wool and tallow kings out of the race, and red tape was triumphant by any number of lengths. Time, 7 min 57 sec.

PINAL HEAT. - Illyssus (Bankers), north bank—(J. 0. Jones, 10st 71bs, bow; J. W. Gray, 11st 51bs, 2;H. E. Templer, list Tibs, 3 ; J. Knox, 10st 41bs, stroke ; A. Hawkins, 6st Gibs, cox.) ... ••• 1 Sabrina (Civil Service), south bank— ML Kilgour, Bst 91b, bow ; M. Lewin, lOst 131bs, 2 ; M. Davie, 12st 2lb, 3 ; J. W. Davis, lOst Tibs, stroke ; W. S. Bean, 6st, cox.) 2 The bankers won the toss for choice of boats, and took the Illyssus, which made the race a perfect “ moral” for The race itself needs but little description. The banks took the lead from the start, and off Pratt’s were five boats’ lengths ahead. Here Kilgour, bow of the Civil Service, broke his oar, but this did not affect the result, as the race was all over but the cheering. Time, T min 8 secs. r i he bankers’ crew have thus the proud privilege of being the first winners of the scries—and it will be very strange if to-morrow they do not add yet another leaf to their chaplet of victory.