O'ESING OF THE BOATING SEASON.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2364, 31 October 1881, Page 3

O'ESING OF THE BOATING SEASON.

The boating season of 1881-82 was formally opened on Saturday, and from a combination of circumstances it will no doubt mark a new era in aquatics in Canterbury. Those circumstances, briefly detailed, are the erection of new and more commodious sheds during the recess by the two old clubs, viz., the Union and Canterbury, the calling into existence of the Trades Bowing Club, and, what is most gratifying, the ton accord between the members of the various clubs represented, which augurs well for honest emulation in the future and the absence of ungenerous rivalry. The attendance of the general public on this occasion was also very gratifying, the Bast belt footbridge and the river banks being crowded. At the very least from 2000 to 3000 spectators must have been present. The clubs represented were the Union Bowing Club, the Canterbury Bowing Club, the Trades Bowing Club, and the Cure Boating Club (Kaiapoi), the Lyttelton Club being conspicuous by its absence, which on such an occasion was to be regretted. As on former occasions, Mr Henry Thomson officiated as marshal, and it was arranged that the procession of boats should start at half-past two o’clock, but it was past three o’clock before all were in readiness. The crowd waited in good humored expectation, the tedium of which was enlivened by watching the manoeuvres of a canoeist who, sail up, passed to and fro, till at last, whilst endeavoring to round a bend of the river a capful of wind upset his frail craft, and his subsequent efforts to maze the river bank with his capsized boat for a period of about twenty minutes, gave rise to plenty of good humored chaff. At lost the procession fell into order, and the signal was given to “ make ready ” followed at an interval of two minutes by a second gun as a signal to start. This caused all eyes to be strained towards that part of the river above Bowron’s where, under the direction of the marshal, Mr Henry Thomson, the prooeesion got “ under weigh.” The number of boats taking partin it was 47, preceded by 5 canoes, making 52 in all as under—Canoes, 5 ; whiffs, 9; pleasure boats, 4 ; stump outriggers, 15 ; double sculls, 2; racing pairs, 4; inrigged fours, 2 ; practice fours, 5 ; racing fours, 5, and six oar 1. As these passed the spectators various comments were made upon the physique of the crews, the most noticeable being the Cure (Kaiapoi Club) men, who pulled in splendid form, and were the subject of general remark as to condition, Ac. Taken altogether the Trades Bowing Club are mostly well up in thews and sinews, and when they have acquired skill by practice, there is little doubt but that the older c4ubs

will have to exert every care to hold their own against them. Stanmore bridge being gained, the signal gun for halt and turn was discharged, and five minutes after the return signal was fired, and the Emu was seen forging up to a position midstream, opposite the grounds of Mr E. 0. J. Stevens. The other boats took up positions on either side of her, and thus ranged alongside right and left, the marshal gave the order “Peak oars,” which was done three times in a highly creditable manner. This over, Mr L. M. Ollivier sprang to his feet and called for three cheers for the Queen, the season, the marshal, and the ladies, all of which met with a hearty response from the boats’ crews, especially for the latter, which was given in a particularly hearty manner. The boats not required in the scratch events were then taken direct to the respective sheds, and preparations were immediately made for the four-oar race. The first heat over, all were on the qui vive for the amphibious (or obstacle) race, which, as its title implies, was negotiated on both land and water. Thirteen competitors assembled at the landing stage of the O.E.C. boatshed, and, at a given signal, plunged simultaneously into the river. The obstacles were, a long spar mid stream, which had to be swum under, then, gaining the opposite bank, the competitors ran a distance of about one hundred yards, where a barrier, fixed eighteen inches from the ground, had to be crawled under, then all plunged anew Into the river, and at the bridge a third obstacle, eighteen inches above tho surface of the water had to be crossed. This was done with more or less success, after which, swimming beneath the bridge, the daisy paddock bank was gained, and the race was over. J. F. Grierson was first to gain terra firma, with Burns close behind. It is needless to add that this novel event caused a great deal of merriment. Afterwards tho four-oar heats and a pair-oar race in heats were contested, the results of which are appended : Four-oar race —Scratch crews. First heat. Electric (north bank), J. F. Grierson, stroke; F. I). Keateven, 3; T. Taylor, 2 ; E. Spencer, bow ; J. Laurie, cox 1 Thetis (south bank), C. Dobson, stroke; H. Hobday, 3; A. C. I Clarke, 2; J. E. Johnson, bow; H. B. Styche, cox ... 2 Won by a boat’s length. Second heat. Thetis (north bank), Dunsford, stroke; Bonlton, 3; Smith, 2 ; De Castro, bow; J. Laurie, cox 1 Electric (south bank), J. O. Jones, stroke ; H, Eicbards, 3 ; M. Davie, 2; J. Bead, bow; H. B. Styche, cox 2 Won by two boat’s lengths. Final heat.

Thetis (south bank) crew as second heat ... 1 Electric (north bank), crew as first boat ... 2 This was cleverly contested, being won by a boat’s length. Pair-oar race—Scratch crews. First heat. Daphne (north bank), H. T. Johnston (U.E.C.), stroke; E. Day (Cure club), Malcolm, cox 1 Syren (south bank). Smith (C.E.C.), stroke ; Martin (U.E.C.), Weston, cox 2 Second beat. Dolphin (south bank), H. Hobday (U.E C.), stroke ; Winter (C.E.C.) ; H. B, Styche, cox 1 gwan (north bank), G. Wright (Cure), stroke; C. Edgar (C.E.C.); Malcolm, cox 2

This was the best beat of the day, both boats keeping level all the way up ; but the Dolphin drawing away when near home was first in by barely three-quarters of a length, H, Hobday pulled iu excellent form. Final Heat.

Daphne (north bank)—Crew as first heat ... 1 Dolphin (south bank) —Crew as second heat... 2 The palling of the men on the Daphne was excellent, and they won the heat by three lengths, and judging from the form 'shown by the Kaiapoi men, they will be found very dangerous this season. This race concluded the business of the day, the success of which must be very gratifying to all concerned. We may be excused if we suggest a little more promptitude in getting off the events on a like subsequent occasion, as between the procession and the next event a long delay occurred. We had almost forgotten to add that the Eailway band was in attendance, and performed a choice selection of music at intervals during the afternoon.

The following is the programme of the U.E.C. for the season :—November 12th, commodore’s prize, Club Fours, two miles ; November 26th, committee's prize, Club Double Sculls, one mile ; December lOtb, club’s prize, Junior Fours, one mile and three-quarters ; January 14tb, Mr G. T. White’s prize, Club Pairs, one mile; February 4th, Mr M. Sandstein’s prize, Junior Double Sculls, one mile ; February 11th, Mr J. Hall’s prize, Club Sculls, one mile ; February 18th, vioe-oommodoro’s prize. Maiden Pairs, one mile. Juniors to row under eighteen years, and four crews to start or no race. The club will give to the coxswains prizes for the beet average attendance and best steering during the season.