Rowing Notes.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 124, 15 November 1902, Page 24

Rowing Notes.

By Native.

The Wellington Rowing Club have finished the heats of their Senior Fours Janes and Galbraith met in the final, the farmer winning after a good race. The winning crew consisted of 0. Jones (stroke). F J Ellison (3), A. Hill (2), W. Read (bow). Entries are now being received for the Senior Pail's and Junior Fours. It is about time that the regatta crews from this club were out. Considering the number of training days lost on account of the rough water, three months is little enough time for crews to get fit for championship events. ♦ • * I have not had an opportunity of seeing the Star crews at work this week, but expect, that the strong northerly wind and holidays have interfered with the training. I believe that the Senior Four intend to make use of the Kaiwarra shed when the northely winds prevent them getting a row in town. I think that the Selection Committee of the Stars have made another mistake in picking the crews for the Senior Double Sculls and Pairs. Bay field and Dowland are selected for the former race, but, to my mind, Bayfield and Bendall would have been a much better selection, with a good chance of winning the championship. Bendall and Bridge, in the Pairs, will not have much chance with the Wellington Club t>air. I am pleased to isee that the Akaioa Regatta Committee has decided to put on races far Maiden and Junior Fours, m clinkers, at their regatta, on the 16tlh prox., in lieu of some of the stump races. The r>rize money offered h £10 first, £2 second, far each race. The President's Fours of the Dunedin Amateur Boating Club and Canterbury Rowing Club were rowed on the 27th ult. In the former race the winning crew consisted of B. Marshall (stroke) R. Mcc (3), J. Morrison <"^ J. Dowland (bow) whilst in the latter E R. Guthrie (stroke) Dunnage (3), Horsley (2), andß. J. Hohbs (bow) were successful. The Kawatiri Rowing Club was to have held a sports meetano- at Westport on the King's Birthday. The programme of events included cvchng, running ping-pong, tug-of-w ar, seven-a-side football match, etc. The Wellington Club intend holding a smoke concert, on the 17th instant, at which the prizes won during last season, will be presented. Those members who have returned from South Africa will also 1 be entertained. I gather that the clubs affiliated to the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association, do not take kindly to the idea of each individual club being taxed in suppart of the Championship Regatta I am of opinion that after this season an effort should again be made to establish a permanent course, with a fixed date, at Picton. The Managing Committee should take full control, and make all necessary arrangements in regard to concessions from the Railway Department and steamship companies. If this regatta was held, say during February, and provision made so that it could extend over a period of three days, if required, I feel quite satisfied that clubs from all parts of the colony would be represented by good crews, the members of which could always arrange for their necessary leave of absence in ample time. There is a talk about the rowing events being excluded from the programme of the Marlborough Regatta, c£ Picton, on' the Ist January, principally on account of the want of life in the local club, but, as the competition in tlhe rowing races is the chief attraction far the visitors to the regatta, I do not think tihat it will be advisable to drop these events. If the Nelson Regatta Committee intend to hold their annual fixture en the 26th prox. it is about time that their programme was circulated.

Mr. R. J. Aiken informs the people of Wellington in another column, that he has commenced business on has own account as a house, land, and estate agent, under the style or firm of Aiken and Co., at No. 42. Lambton Quay (premises lately occupied by Messrs. Jolly and Co.), and respectfully solicits a share of public support. We have no doubt tihis will be cheerfully accorded Mr. Aiken by those who sympathised with him during recent court proceedings, out of whioh. by-the-bye, he came "without a stain."