Rowing Notes.

Free Lance, Volume III, Issue 136, 7 February 1903, Page 21

Rowing Notes.

By Native.

The forthcoming regattas are hastening the formation of the various local associations as constituted under the new rules of the N.Z.A.R.A. The Auckland Rowing Association, has been formed, and a meeting has also been, held at Wanganui in the same connection, and the latter association will be completed in ai few days. If the Hawke's Bay clubsi are desirous of competung at regattas held under the rules of the N.Z.A.R.A., they haive no time tot lose. The time for the Championship Regatta is drawing near, and some of the local crew s are training at every opportunity. At the beginning of the season, I was pleased to notice that Crawford was setting the Wellington Senior Four a longer stroke than, usual, but he has now got back to a short., snappy stroke, which, to my mind, is not the style to bring a Champion Four through a twomile race. Perhaps, the combination in thei Pair Oar may account for it. The Wellington Juniors have not been seen lately, and I understand that, owing to differences of opinion in the club, there is some difficulty in completing crew s. There is not much probability of the club being represented in the Junior and Maiden races at Wanganui, but theiy will bei fully represented at Wellington. The Maiden crew is out regularly, but sadly need coaching. Osborne is like1} to take the bow seat. Spencer and Galbraith are practising hard for the Champion Double Sculls, but arei far too short for my idea of scullers. Honour and Robertson are left in the final for the club Junior Sculls. There was some excitement in the Star shed during the week in connection with) the challenge race for the Maiden Fours. On Wednesday evening, the first race took place on thle southerly course, starting at the Kerosene Store. Evatt got away quickly, and led for three-quar-ters of a mile, when Anderson caught and passed him, but towardsi the finish Evatt came again with a. splendid spurt, and both boats crossed the line together. The crews met again, on Thursday evening:,, Evatt (jetting away at the start as before. Anderson caught him at the half distance, and led up to a short distance from the finish, but Evatt, again spurting, managed to make another dead heat. It was decided to race again on the Saturday afternoon, but, unfortunately, in playing cricket in a match for the A.M. P. Society against the Government Life Insurance, Wheeler, who was rowing number three in the selected crew, injured his knee, and was therefore compelled to give up his seat. This left the Selection Committee in a rather awkward position, although, under the circumstances, they were perfectly justified if they thought fit to replace Wheeler with a, member of the challenge crew, yet it was freely stated by the members of the challenge crew that they would not compete except as a whole. The Selection Committee ultimately decided toe substitute the challenge crew for the original selection. There is no doubt in my mind as to this being the best selection the committee could make, as I consider that after Wheeler the challenge crew are the best represent atives the club could have, but, if the Selection Committee allowed themselves to be influenced by the decision of the challenge crew not to take Wheeler's seat individually, I think that they showed a lamentable want of backbone. There is a lot of sympathy with Anderson, Haokworth, and Taylor, a® they have been training hard for the last three months, and have been deprived of the opportunity of competing in club races. On account of their win at Picton, on New Year's Day, their Maiden status will cease ait the end of this season. Bayfield and Dowland are getting in a lot of work, but it does not appear to have any appreciable effect on Dowland's condition. The latter is very fleshy, and unless he improves in condition during the next fortnight. I am afraid that the Star Club will be outclassed in the Double Sculls and Sculls. The Juniors have been without the services of James, on account of siokruess, but he has taken his place again. This crew are not showing their form of last season. Stroke is the principal offender, going right across the boat. Bow is inclined to let his slide go, and three is developing an ugly finish.

The Maiden, crew is going with nlenty of life and vigour, amd I expect them to give a good account of themselves. Stroke is inclined to over-reach. Bow is a greatly-inroroved man. The Maiden crew are going with plenty under the tuition of Mr. A. H. Bamett. Wilkinson, is now rowing stroke, which is an improvement. They will have' a strong crew to meet in 0. Jones, At Galbraath, H. Jones, and Osborne, front the Wellington Club. J. Wilson, who was No. 3 in the Star Club Senior Four that won at the Sumner Estuary in 1896, is in town for a few weeks. Since leaving Wellington,, he has competed successfully in Western Australia. Mr. G. H. Bethune, captain of the Star Club, will leave shortly on a holiday trip to England. The Waitara Committee have issued a programme for their regatta next monitih. The conditions, in regard ta entries and entrance fees will need some revision by the Wanganui Association, under whose jurisdiction the regatta will be held.