AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 472, 20 December 1875, Page 3

AQUATICS.

C. E. C.

The senior pair-oared races fjr cups presented by Mr Douglas (hon treasurer), and the junior pairs for cups presented by Mr A. F. N. Blakiston, one of the vice-presidents of the club, were pulled off on Saturday afternoon last in heats, over a course about a mile in length, starting from the other side of the Fellmongery, winning in front of Mr Herdeon's house ; the deciding heat in the senior's and two of the heats in the junior's resulting in the closest and perhaps most exciting contests we have had for several seasons on the river. It should be mentioned that Mr Vincent, who pulled bow in the losing boat in the former, was suffering from a ludden and weakening attack of illness, and after pulling the first heat expressed a wish that his place should betaken by some one else, but as this was not desired, he determined to do his best, and did so, sticking manfully to the finish, but fainted when getting out of his boat. The junior's deserve the highest commendation for the plucky manner in which they pulled, receiving a lesson also from Saturday's events, as in each instance the lads who swung well forward with a long steady stroke proved the victors. Perhaps it may not be found further necessary, after this notice, than to mention that a few hours' coaching to the coxswains in their various duties, and the manner of steering under constantly recurring exigencies, might result in more general satisfaction to all concerned. A large number of spectators were present during the afternoon. Mr R.

P. Crosbie acted as staiter, and Mr J. H. Herdson as judge and umpire. Appended are the events : Senior Pairs, for cups presented by Mr Douglas. First Heat. (south bank) —P. White, bow ; M. Bowron, stroke; C. Mann, cox 1 Cygnet (north bank) —M. Davie, bow ; L. Ollivier, stroke ; W. Day, cox ... 0 The Moa took the water firßt, shortly afterwards clearing away, keeping and improving her lead until the flag had been reached, winning by about eight lengths. Time, 9min. Second Heat. Moa (north bank) —W. S. Vincent, bow ; J. O. Jones, stroke ; R. McDougall, cox 1 Cygnet (south bank) —H. Feldwick, bow; T. Grierson, stroke ; W. Day, cox ... 0 The Moa had the best of the start, and after about fifteeu strokes had cleared herself. At the fellmongery she was leading by two water lengths, when the Cygnet put on a spurt, improving her position by about three-quarters of a length. The Moa then

spurted slightly drawing away, and kept slacking off with alternate slight spurts until nearing home, when a strong spurt wrs on (rather an eTor of judgment we should think with the race so certain in hand, and bow having to pull again in his already weak state) passing tbe flag about eight lengths ahead of the other boat. The Moa was pulled with an excelis*! '«"« --ren swing, J-v.,-i- t h-& ToSSm not SWID B forward enough. Time, 9min 11 to fis< Junior Pairs, for cups preset. Uyr „ F. N. Blakiston. Ir A ' Moa (North bank) —A. C. Lean, bow ; T. Searrell, BTOke ; R McDougall, cox... 1 Cygnet (South bank)—W. Callender, bow ;J. Rule, Btroke ; W. Day. cox... 0 The Cygnet started last, showiug a little in front up to 150 yaTds. The Moa then began to pull up, tbe l»<*° *" n er settling down steadily, -winging long and evenly, while the Cygnet's strokes were short and jivkj. At the fellmongery the Moa had cleared herself aud got away about a length and a half. The crew of the second boat began to improve their swing, and gradually crept up on the leading boat, but. the Moa was too strong, and spurted in about six lengths a winner. Time, 9min Ssecs. Second H^at.

Moa (north bank)—E. Hawkes, bow ; Fooks, stroke ; W. D<iy, cox ... 1 Cygnet (south bank)—C. Morris, bow; Lanauze, stroke ; R. McDougall, cox... 0 This was a splendidly contested race ; the Moa took the water firs>, but the Cygnet soon came up, and both boats pulled level for some time. At thejfellmonger's the Moa drew slightly ahead, and at the second corner was leading by about a water's length. When rounding the bend at Pratt'fl the Cygnet came up and got away aboui, three lengths ahead. The Moa then put on a strong spurt, and drew up on the Cygnet'n quarter ; the enthusiasm of the friends of each crew on the bank being worked up to the highest pitch as the nose of the second boat came up in a line with the other, both crews working like mad. After going level for a short distance she forged gradually in front, and when about 100 yards from home had cleaved herself, passing the flag a little over a length ahead, the second boat having under a mi* take eased off before reaching home. Time 9mic 30secs

Senior Pairs—Deciding Heat.

Moa (South bank)— V. White, bow; M. Bowron, stroke ; C. Maun, cox ... 1 Tui (North bank)—W. S. Vincent, bow ; J. O. Jones, stroke ; B. M'Dougall cox 0

The Tui caught hold of the water first, showing herself about a quarter length in front for about half-way to the fellmongery. The Moa then drew up, and at the fellmongery was about a half-water length in front. Both crews were now working hard and steadily, the Tui gradually improving her position up to the second bend, when a momentary "plait" occurred through an error of judgment on the part of both cox. For a short distance, the Moa had only her nose in front, but had improved her position when Pratt's corner was reached. There the Tui again spurted and came up, and turning Herdson's corner the excitement was very great among the bystanders, as the Moa was only a nose in front. Both crews now pulled as if for dear life, but it was evdent that the hot work was telling against one of the Tui's crew, and fifty yards from the flag, the Moa, by hard and plucky pulling began to show slightly in front, slowly but surely improving her position, but only winning by about three yards of herself. Time—Smin 66Bec,

The losing pair certainly deserve very great credit for sticking to the finish under the circumstances.

Junior Pairs—Deciding heat. Moa (South bank)—E. Hawkes, bow ; Fooks, stroke ; W. Day, cox ... 1 Tui (North bank)—A. C. Lean, bow ;T. Searell, stroke ; R. McDougall, cox ... 0 This was an excellent race, the Moa leading until rounding the second corner, when the Tui came up, and after clearing Pratt's was a water length ahead, improving that distance by another length at Herdsou's. Here the Moa came up nearly level with a splendid spurt, and on rounding the corner a " plait" occurred, for which the cox of the Tui was most to blame in not keeping his own water. The stoppage was only for a second, and both crews pluckily pulled it out, the Moa only winning by about four yards. Time, 9min.