AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1231, 13 February 1878, Page 3

AQUATICS.

THE COLONIAL REGATTA AT WANGANUL FIRST DAY. [By Telegraph.] [prom: the correspondent of «he press.] The Colonial Regatta of 1878 was opened by a four-oar Maiden Race, which brought only two local crews, viz., Wanganui and Union Rowing Clubs. The latter being favorites, but the pot boiled over, and the former won easily. Maiden Race —2 miles. Ist prize, £lO. Four-oared in-rigged gigs with coxswain. Open only to those who have never started for an advertised race. Second boat to save entrance money. Wanganui Rowing Club's Waterlily—(Turner, Nation, Miller, Montgomery, stroke) 1 Union t lub's Maiden (Batt, Capstick Connel, Leydon, stroke) 2 Champion Paiks—2 miles. Ist prize, <£2o. With or without coxswain ; no restriction as to boats. Wellington Club's Roman Fall—(Woods, McGrath) 1 Wellington Club's Dolly Varden— (Walker, Hearn) 2 Only these two started, and as both tho boats belonged to the same club, it was decided to win with the Roman Fall. Then came the race of the day, the fouroar inrigged race, in which four different clubs were represented, as follows: —Wellington (Venuß Transit), Christchurch (Canterbury), Wanganui (Waterlily), Union, Wanganui (Maiden). The Venus Transit jumped away with the lead, rowing fifty-two strokes, and going away from the others fast. Senior Fours —3 mil s. Ist prize, .£SO; 2nd, £5. Inrigged with coxswain. Wellington club's Venus Trausit—(Hcarn, McGrath, Walker, Woods, stroke) ... 1 Union CI b's Maiden—(Spnrdie, McDonough, Brough C.ancey, stroke) ... 2 Wanganui Club's Waterlily—(Powell, Duncan Holdich, Wheeler, stroke 3 Canterbury Club's Canterbury— (Fooks, Martin, Ollivier, Lanauze, stroke 4 This race is easily described. The Transit winning easily by three lengths. Maiden being about two lengths ahead of Waterlily, who wa<i about thirty or forty lengths in front of the Canterbury. The latter were out of it from start. It has been said by a great number that they ought to have let Duncan's crew row her. Tho scullers camo next, Hearn, Taylor, Floyd, Walker, and Holdich being the competitors. Champion Scull?. Two miles. Ist prize, .£2O. Hearn (Wellington) 1 W.T. Taylor!. 2 H. Floyd 3 Walker 0 Ft Holdich, 0

Hearn won easily, but Taylor (Duncan's crew) rowed a very plucky race, and surprised a good many. The five-oar whaleboat race of five miles, the most interesting race of the day, was next on the programme. The reason that this race was looked for so eagerly was that Duncan's Canterbury crew were to meet the Dolly Varden, but for reason* best known to the latter they were too late for the starter. They had any amount of time, but delayed at the shed, so consequently did not start, but as Duncan's lot raced past the shed they tackled them, being two lengths behind, but in 440 yards were half a dozen. Now for the race, which has caused a great deal of disappointment and regret. Elvira, Danger, and Cutty Sark started, the former being rowed by Duncan's crew, who at once jumped away with a lead, followed closely by Cutty Sark, who hung on to them for 200 yards, being a length behind, but after that distance Elvira went away hands down and in a mile had six lengths lead, the crew rowing easily, but to the disgust of everyone the cox pulled his boat out of the course and ran in - side two flags, going 200 yards before the crew were etoppedjby tho umpire. Nothing daunted, with true pluck, they turned round, going back to the flag (by this time the others had got 700 yards start), and rowed after the other boats to the surprise and admiration of all. They rowed as fine a losing race as a crew could, and if it had been a mile further must have won ; as it was they were only beaten by eighty yards. The people present gave a special cheer for them, and well they deserved it. The result of this race was as below:—

Champion Whaleboat Race—4 miles. Ist prize, ,£35. Boats to pull five oars, and be steered with steer-oar. Union Club's Danger—(James Clancey, Brougli. M'Donough, Spurdie, stroke) ... 1 T. Bush's Cutty Sark—(Shaw, Beauchamp, Carlisle, Mitchell, Dunsfield, stroke) ... 2 I need only give my tip for tho Championship to-morrow, as the other races will not interest your readers. The only thing that can prevent Duncan's men from winning is rough water or the bad steering of their cox. They have so much strength and pluck that I am afraid they would drive her under if the water is lumpy, but if the weather keeps as it is at present, and it looks as if it would, I can see nothing to prevent the championship of 1878 going to Canterbury through Duncan's crew. As regards Canterbury Rowing Club they can never be in it, and surprise is shown by many that so light a crew has been sent to represent the metropolitan club for the championship. Duncan's Ist, Dolly Varden 2nd, clobo up, and Canterbury Rowing Club nowhere, is my tip. Duncan's are still firmer favourites than ever, Duncan's wrist is nearly well, and is none the worse for the accident to-day.