UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.

Kumara Times, Issue 513, 20 May 1878, Page 2

UNIVERSITY BOAT RACE.

Ihe thirty-fifth race between Oxford and Cambridge crews took place on April 13th on the river Thames, over the usual course from Putney to Mortlake, four miles and two furlongs and > resulted in an easy victory for the i Oxford cseiv. This makes eighteen victoria for Oxford. Cambridge has b'-en suoefssfiil in 16 races, and the one last year was a dead heat. The morning i<roke hazy and slightly overcast, but was calm and mild. By half-past nine the sun was shining and the weather Was perfect fur the race. The water was smooth, mid there, were .imtneiisa crowds of spectators along the encir..: course, especially at the two ends. lining crafts of all kinds gave ; the river an animated appeiranw. The ; betting at Putney before the start, was ' 4 t<» 1 on Oxford, which was freely offered i.ut not taken, the result being considered certain. A start was effected at 15 minutes after 10 o'clock. Ca in bridge ha I the Middlesex side of the river a.,d Oxford the Surrey side. Cambridge got away first, rowing a fa-ter stroke, than Oxford. The Cantabs led by fhont a third of 'a. length 1 when off Simons' yard, two furlougs ••from the shirting point, and : they con- ! tinned to increase this advanfago some- ; what in the first = reach. . When off i Bishop's Creole, three furlongs from i Putney, the Cambridge boat was almost half a length ahead. Cambridge Blisrhtly added to this advantage, and just below the half-mile post lead'by ; something like two-thirds of a length. At the lower end of the garden* of | Craven Cottage, three furlongs from ; Bishop's Creek, when Cambridge was j rowing 38 strokes to the minute, Oxford began to come up fast and were ; soon gaining on the leader. At Grass j wharf they had got upon even terms ; with Cambridge, and the two rowed ; oar and oar past Rosebank "Villa. Off i Crabt.ee, a mile and two furlongs from | Putney, Oxford was showing in front I and quickly drew ahead, the Cambridge j becoming unsteady and irregular. At I the Soap Works, two furlongs from J Crabtree, Oxford was clearly ahead, ! and rowing right away from their opI graents, led through Hammersmith ; Bridge, a mile and six furlongs from Putney, by about two lengths.' From this point the race requires no description. Oxford continued to increase their lead, h e i ng full a dozen lengths ahead off Chiswick Church, two miles and five furlongs from Putney, and perhaps ten lengths at Barnes Bridge, about seven fin-Jongs further on. Oxford continued a long wav in front to the cud and won verv easily by about *>secs. m nine, or by wuny lengths in 2o minute:; and 12 sees. " Mr Chitty was umpire. Though, the crowd was very great, the general opinion is that it was smaller than last year, the interest being greatly diminished by the general conviction that Oxford would win easily. The following are additional particulars of the race.—A slight wind arose just before the start, but not so rough as to impede the boats. Both crews had an excellent swing. The a. ress bait and Victoria, saloon steamer. m which was the P,-ince of Wales, were kept astern. The start was effected at 1--4. p.m., on the first signal. Barnes' budge was reached by Oxford in 18 minutes. ;