AQUATICS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1928, Page 4

AQUATICS

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES

An interesting gathering took place on Friday evening at Mclntosh's Club Rooms the occasion being tlie presentation of trophies to the winners of Wednesday ai'tdniaon’d speed boat contests on the river. Dr Teiclielniarin presided and there was a gathering of over thirty present.

The chairman in his remarks ex-i pressed the thunks of the Club to the donors of trophies for their generosity. He also referred to acquatic sports held on the Hokitika river and at Lake Mahiuapua in years gone by, and in doing so lie quoted the following remarks of an old resident who unfortunately was unable to be present. This statement was:—lt seems a far cry .since Hokitika produced a Sculling Champion on the local river. Yet such was the ease. Hcarno, of a well-known sawmilling family of that name, was the New Zealand champion who rowed .several races on the .Hokitika river. It, "as due to his success, no douLA-, that sculling was a prominent sport in time past. Glossop, ‘ Hawkins and others might ho named as men who assisted to keep the sport flourishing. A boating club was a natural outcome. Regattas were held annually, both on tlie river and at Lake Maliinapun, The late Charley Barton was a moving spirit in founding a very live Club which at one time possessed several racing skill's and sailing boats, and was a very active institution. In the early days o| tlie Telegraph Office here when there was a stuff of adults, there was a four-on. red skiff with its racing crew competing at the regattas. The boating Club had three four-oared boats and three pair-oared boats, and visitors came from as far north as Nelson to compete The Lake Mahiuapua gatherings were notable regattas. All transport was by way of the beautiful creek and there was a. barge at the entrance to tlie .Lake where admission had to be paid. These regattas were run successfully for several seasons. Steam boats, stern wheelers, took the bulk of the spectators to the Lake, while there were crowds of rowing boats.

Tlie building of the railway bridge

across the Hokitika river 25 years ago put Hie damper on river work, and it declined very suddenly. Sawmilling came to the front, and the sawdust nuisance in the creek was another drawback to boating. Then came the weed which was introduced, strange to say. by the Acclimatisation Society, which imported the weed inadvertently with some oversea ova. The shoaling of the wharf stream has been another drawback to boating, while with the bridging of the river, the watermen's boats formerly used in plying to South Hokitika- fell into disuse, and ihe race of boating men dwindled

away gradually. YVliat of the future? Luke Mahinanua is still with us. There is also Lake Tvaniori. now more accessible by reason of the motor. Botli lilaees present ideal resorts for boating. Perhaps the former is the lietter. being less subject to the effect of high winds, while greater crowd!* could reaeli it hv rail. With a Motor Speed Boating Club as a nucleus for a regatta. something might be done to revive the old boating spirit by adding events for row boats as well as sailing era ft. Alter several speakers had spoken in a similar strain the Chairman presented the prizes as follows: The Challenge Cup. a beautiful silver cun. donated by Mr J. J. Mclntosh, was. presented to Mr Andrews, who was the winner on points with the “Playmate.”

The second prize, a ston-wateh presented by Air J. K. Langford was won by Afr J. X. Robinson with “Buzz-Off.”

A third prize, a silver cup, which was given for the most consistent running was also won by Air J. X. Robinson .

A miniature silver cup donated by Mr It. Lynn, was presented to Dr Buchanan, with “Checkmate” for the .sportsmanlike may in which he struggled on adverse fate. Various toasts were proposed and replies! to and after a hearty vote of thanks to the officials and Darktown Band whose assistance was very much appreciated, the proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem.