WANGANuI REGATTA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 57, 12 March 1880, Page 2

WANGANuI REGATTA.

FOXTON WINS THE "BIG" RACE. When the Foxton crow and their boat left per train on Monday last in a very qniet and unostentatious manner for Wangtnai, to take part in the B«gatta on Wed nexday, there were not a few who thought the meu were going on a " forlorn hope"— that they were strong pullorg, but had no science, and did not row in any " form ; " and, In fact, in some people's opinion, good no chance at all. This opinion seemed to be shared iv also by Wanganui residents after the men had been seen at work in the river, and the anpient contributor)! on sporting matter* to the Wanganui p&pers never even gave the crew a place in their " tips," almost ignoring tne Manawatu boat altogether. However, the conclusion of the race told a very different 'ale, for the despised one, on whom scarcely anyone would venture a pound, came iv the winner by three lengths, thus beating the Wanganui men hollow on their own ground, ani also a crack crew from Wellington. The course was 2\ miles long, and the race is thus described by the Chronicle of yesterday : — " For the first quarter of a mile, the four boats kept almost abreast, and then the Queen Mab slowly took the lead. At the Railway Bridge the Queen Mab bad slightly increased her' lead, the other three st ill keeping almost abreast ; the Hover then fell slightly behind, and, when the boats rounded the bend and came into view of the public, it waa impossible to say which was seoond. The Queen Mab kept the lead, which was gradually increased to about two lengths, by which it won. There was a terrific race for second place between the Rover aud Rata, the former winning by about tt quarter of a length. The excitement during the race was intense, and it is said to have been the best contested race ever rowed oa the river." We may state that three of the members of the crew— Messrs W. and J. Collins, and J. Symons, — had never pulled in any boat of the same class until they rowed in the Queen Mab, and there is no doubt that great credit is due to Mr A. W. Howe (the captain of the crew) for the degree of proficiency at which the men have arrived. Maste 1 ' Joseph Collins acted us coxswain, and performed his work very well. We heartily congratulnte the members of the Manawatu Rowing Club above named on the great victory they have achieved, and trust thut many similar ones await them.