AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1454, 14 October 1878, Page 3

AQUATICS.

OPENING OF THE BOATING- SEASON. The decision of the committee in having postponed the opening of the boating season until Saturday last proved to have been a very fortunate one, for the weather throughout the day was simply delightful, notwithstanding the strong breeze which sprang up about two o'clock, and which came in gusts from the north-west. As usual upon such occasions, the Christchurch citizens turned out in very large numbers, and the Avon and its surroundings never presented a prettier sight than it did about three o'clock, when a line of boats stretched for half a mile along its length. Its banks, almost from Ward's Brewery to Cowlishaw's corner, were hidden by the foliage of the willows. There were crowds of gaily-dressed people on both sides ©f the water in the vicinity of the boat sheds, numerous flags floated in every direction, and the strains of the band added much to *1»« bo 'iday aspect of the The time for the procession to start m» fixed for half-past two, but it was considerably after that time before the Marshal gave the order to move off. Members of the Canterbury and the Union Clnbs were in their respective sheds in good time to launch their craft and get themselves up in proper aquatic costume. As the boats were placed in the water they were moved on up the river, where, one by one, they took their stations waiting for the order to move. They were here, comparatively speaking, out of view of the public, so that, when the procession once made a start, it burst upon the eye with a suddenness that made it very imposing. In the vicinity of the sheds quite a number of flags had been displayed, one or two strings of banners crossed the river, and on the north side lined its banks for some considerable distance. A large number of people were posted on the south side, near the brewery, but the favorite spot appeared to be the paddock. On this side too, just opposite the sheds, was stationed Toomer's band, which, during the day, played a number of airs in excellent style. Along the river, on the south side, there was a Hue of cabs and carriages, but by no means so many as usual, the paddock before mentioned appearing to be the favorite point of view. During the racing which closed the day's proceedings, many horsemen followed the progress of the boats from start to finish, waving their arms excitedly, and cheering on their friends. At three o'clock the Marshal (Mr Henry Thomson, commodore) gave the order for the procession to move off, which it did at a rattling pace, until all had passed the Stanmore Bridge. Every boat then turned, and the procession at once started for home, but at a more stately pace. The following is the order which it then assumed : Commodore, Canoe, Cauoo. Six-oared. EMU. E. Denham, S. S. Eevans A. F. N. Blakiston, Hartland Nankeville, Morgan Little (cox). Four-oared. TAMESIS. A. R. Favit, J. E. Brewster B. C. "Way, E. J. Paul Dixon (cox) ILI,YSSUB. J. O. Jones, L. M. OUivor E. A. Pavitt, T. Taylor C. Mann (cox). CANTERBURY. G. 8011, J. Collins K. B. Smith, White Foulton (cox). TYNE. J. Grierson, Heywood E. M. Fulton, McDougall E. Fletcher (cox). ELECTRIC. Goodwyu, G. Lananze A. D. Loukhart, J. E. Revans Mann (cox). ISIS. A. Johnston, T. B. Joynt A. C. Nottingham, It. K. Spencer Dunnage, sen. (cox). LURUNE. Hawkins, Bean W. M. Joynt, Stevens Thomson (cox). THETIS. T. Searrell, Jones A. Searrel!, Bowling Fuller (cox). SABRINA. A. H. M. Campbell, H. Kestevcu 11. D. Petrie, J. Duncan Manning (cox). KIWI. Spencer, sen., AV. Newton O'Wansoy, F. Davie PAIK-OARED. CAM. J. Macfarlane, D. C. Tnrner J. Dunnage (cox). AVON. J Callender, F. WhitcomLe A. H. Woledffe (cox). SWAN. Mein, Mann Ifwerson (cox). CYUNET. Grainger, VV. S. Bean MOA. Seaton, Ballard Bees icox). KAKA. Saltmarsh, Baku Sylph Kelpie Bcylla S^ren SctrtL.6. Snowdrop Phosphorus Dart Tui Exe Wye

On arriving at home, which consisted,, in this instance of a rope stretched across the river at the widows, near the shed, the boats came to a standstill, until, after some little difficulty, the greater portion of them succeeded in getting in line alongside of each other, ready for the operation of "peaking" oars. Souie little delay, some few fouls, a multiplicity of opinions, and some anathemas on certain dogs which would, as they always do on such occasions, persist in endeavouring to clamber into the frail craft, took place before the line was complete. The commodore then gave the order "peak oars," which was promptly done; perhaps not altogether like clock-work, but still on the whole pretty well, better on the third time than on the first. True, there was a cry from some satirical individual of "Well done; all together; one after the other ;" but those in 'the boats seemed little hurt at his gibe. Mr Denham, thestroke of thesix-oared galley, then called for three cheers for the Queen, which wore heartily given, and the band opposite struck up the National Anthem. _ One or two other sets of cheers wero also given, but in response to what, or at whose invitation, it would be difficult to say, as the noise of the band and the cheering combined prevented any mere speech from being heard. No doubt, however, the second was for the Commodore. This finished the formal portion of the day's entertainment, and those who were engaged in the scratch matches at once betook themselves to the sheds to get ready, as it was now close upon 4 o'clock. Four-oaked Back. First, Heat. Electric, nortli bauk—Lanauze, Smith, Kesteven, Way, Maun (cox.) 1 Tvne, south bank—Pavitt, Griersou, Gapes, ' Ollivier 2 The course was from Cowlishaw's corner to the willows near the boat shed. The boats got away on even terms, both crews pulling a smart quick stroke. The crow of the Electric very soon freshened up and increased their pace, and before reaching the Stanmore Bridge were leading by about a quarter of a length. Bcre both boats put on increased speed, but the Electric men made a great spurt at the finish, and came in the winners by about two lengths. Second Heat. Electric, north bank—Lean, Evans, Davie, Kcsteven (Mann, cox) 1 Tyne, south bank—Campbell, Taylor, Tetrie, J. G.Brewster _ 2 Again the Electric proved the victor. She was leading almost from the start. Before passing the bridge there was a foul, owing to the very indifferent steering of the coxswain of the Tyne. After passing the bridge the Electric very considerably increased her lead, and, notwithstanding a big effort made by the Tyne crew, came in a winner by about a length after an exceedingly well conte-ded race. Filial Heat. Electric, north bank—Lanauze, Eesteven, "Way, Smith (Mann, cox) 1 Tyne. south bank—Alex. Lean, Davie, Evans, E. Kesteven (Dixon, cox) 2 This was a good race. The boats wero almost stern and stern till the bridge < was reached, when the Electric men forced their boat to the front by about half a length. A plucky race ensued, but it was a losing one for the Tyne, which was beaten by about a length. PAIR OARED RACES. First Heat. Scylla, north bank Nottingham and Eosewarne * Syren, south bank—Searrell and Fonlton ... 2 The boats pulled pretty evenly together for some distance, but the Scylla had the best of it at the corner. At one part of the race the Syren made almost a retrograde movement through the oars of one of the rowers getting entangled in the weeds. Notwithstanding these disadvantages, the men pulled gamely, and had the race been a longer one, might have retrieved their misfortunes. As it was, the Scylla won by something less than half a length. Second Heat. Scylla, north bank—G. Lananze, A. Searrell ... 1 Syreu, south bank—Bell and Duncan 2 The Syren, directly ,after the start (took the lead, and tried hard to keep it, but the Scylla men soon recovered their losses, and by exerting every fibre in their bodies, succeeded in converting what at one time appeared to be a losing into a winning race. They came in the victors by about half a length, amidst great cheering. Final Heat. Syren—T. Searrell, Boultou 1 Scylla—Lananze, A. Searrell 2 At the start the Scylla got a very good lead in consequence of one of Foulton's oars becoming unshipped. However, nothing daunted, the rowers were pluckily determined to well contest the race if they could not win it, and the result proved the correctness of their determination, for they soon came up with the Scylla, stem and stern. A splendid race followed, the Syren winning by about half a length, amid the cheers of those who witnessed the finish. This was the last race, and brought the day's proceedings to a close ; and as it was now halfpast five, and the wind had commenced to blow somewhat coldly, the public rapsdly dispersed, and the opening ceremony of the boating season of 1879 became a thing of the past.