AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1031, 15 October 1877, Page 3

AQUATICS.

OPENING OF THE BOATING SEASON. The boating season of 1877-8 was opened with the usual ceremonies on Saturday afternoon. The weather was beautifully fine and there was a large attendance of spectators, both sides of the river being well lined. Mr Button's band was in attendance during the day and discoursed sweet music at intervals. The TJ.E.C. took advantage of the opening day and consequent congregation of rowing men, to christen their three new boats just received per Waitangi, The boats were—one pair-oar pleasure boat, one pair-oar stump outrigger, and one sculling boat. The first event on the programme was therefore THE CHRISTENING-. The TJ.E.C. shed was the place of rendezvous, and a number of boating men put in an appearance. The new boats looked exceedingly gay, having been decorated with choice flowers and evergreens. Mr E. P. Crosbie then came forward and said that he had much pleasure, on behalf of the TJ.E.C, in requesting Mrs Henry Thomson to christen the new boats. Mrs Thomson then performed the ceremony in the usual way, naming the boats respectively Galatea, Soy!la, and Dione, and they were launched from the ways into the river am ; d cheers. Mr Crosbie then, on behalf of the elub, thanked Mrs Thomson, and some bumpers of sparkling were drunk to the success of the new boats. By this time it was approaching half-past two, the hour fixed for THE PROCESSION. The boats having been manned by their respective crews, proceeded up river to near Mr Bowrort's, Mr H. Thomson actim; as marshal. They then started in the following order: — SCULLS. CANOES. Dart Torea Exe Anonyma Wye Hinemoa Scylla Linnet PAIR-OARS. Swan Snowdrop Cygnet Dione Kelpie Avon Moa Undine Syren Cam Una Sylph Tui Galatea POUR-OARS. Kiwi Thetis Lurline Isis Electric Tyne Sabrina Heathcote Tamesis. SIX-OAR. Emu In this order the procession proceeded to Stanmore Bridge, where a halt was made, and the boats turned, coming back in reverse order. On reaching the rope a line was formed, and oars being peaked three cheers were given, and the boating season declared duly opened. THE SCRATCH RACES. Several scratch matches were pulled off during the afternoon, which resulted as follows: Four-oared Eace—About half a mile. FIRST HEAT. Electric (Martin, Lanauze, Collins, and Pavitt) 1 Tyne (Grierson, Duncan, Pavitt, and Stavely) 2 Electric was quickest away and made the pace very hot from the start to Stanmore bridge. At the latter Electric had nearly a length lead. After passing through there were signs of a capital race. A pleasure boat, however, which was punting about in mid stream got in the way of the Tyne, who stopped pulling. The Electric, after pulling over the course, ultimately decided to pull again, and the result was that she won easily. second heat. Tyne —(Ollivier, Lean, Seaton, Taylor) ... 1 Electric —(Fooks, A. E. Pavitt Waye, Hawkes) , 2 The Electric led at the start, but the Tyne gradually drew ahead, and came in a winner by about a length. FINAL HEAT. Electric - (Lanauze, Martin, Collins, E. A. Pavitt) 1 Tyne- (Ollivier, Lean, Taylor, Seaton) ... 2 A good start was effected, and a capital race ensued till nearly the end, when the Electric drew away, and won by a length. PAIRS —FIRST HEAT. Tui —(Bowron and Evans) ... ... 1 Moa—(Paul and Harding)... ... ... 2 The boats fouled at starting, but after getting clear, the Tui drew away and won easily. SECOND HEAT. Tui—(Campbell and Kesteven) 1 Moa— (Searell and Hobday) 2 This was decidedly the best race of the day, being a neck and neck affair from the start to within a few yards of the finish, when tho Tui drew away, and won by about three feet. FINAL HEAT. Tui—(Bowron and Evans)... ... ... 1 Moa—(Campbell aud Kesteven) ... ... 2 A good start was effected, and a capital race took plate to within about twenty yards of the willows, thu Tin then shooting ahead, and winning by a length. HEATHCOTE ROWING CLUB. At tho annual general meeting of this club, held at Woolston on Friday evening, Commodore F. Pavitt was in the chair. There were about twelve members present. The report as read showed that the club's property was in good order, and that last season had been an unsuccessful one. The accounts showed a cash balance of £6 10s 4d, and liabilities of about £l2, while some good subscriptions were due. A discussion took place as to the advisability of continuing the club or of winding it up. It waß suggested that the racing boats should be sold, and that pleasure boats should be purchased. The meeting adjourned until Tuesday, when the question of winding up or of continuing as a pleasure boat club will be discussed. The election of officers and arrangements for rowing off Mr Coster's prizes will also be considered. THE COLONIAL REGATTA. The programme for the colonial regatta to be held at Wanganui on the 12th and 13th of February, 1878, comprises in all ten events, the most important of which are the Champion Pairs (first prize £2O) ; Senior Fours (£SO) ; Champion Sculls (£2O) ; Champion Pours (£150) ; Volunteers' Eace (£35) ; and Ladies' Plate (£3O). All entries are to be sent in to the secretary by February Ist.