AQUATIC GOSSIP.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4916, 23 December 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

AQUATIC GOSSIP.

BY OHABON. There is not much material of interest in boatinf? matters from down South or .from the North, both Otago and Auckland papers not saying anything as to the merits of crows expected to compete at the Interprovincial Regatta. The Invercargill rowing men have lately purchased some boats, and laat weeic their christenings came off with great eclat. Some scratch matches followed, but the local paper gives no particulars. There is good rowing material in the district, but the Invercaririllites are essentially a slow-going people, and ft is not probable that they will make a greater mark in the aquatic world than they have hitherto done in the cricket field. An event of interest to hoating men in Otago—the Waihola annual regutta—is to come off on Boxing Day, and a good programme has as usual been prepared. Nearly all the. Dunedin crews have been at regular practice in the harbor, the Otago Club with their two crews appearing to have decidedly the "best of it, their men sitting their beats far better than those of the other clubs. An accident occurred, to the Excelsior crew whilst out in tho Otago harbor on Monday evening last, the boat being caught in a squall, whiah, making the waters lumpy, caused the boat to buckle amidships, tho crew being spilt. A boat wa3 launched from a barque which was anchored close to, and the crew •were rescued from what might have been a perilous position, not much the worse for the ducking. The anniversary of the foundation of the Canterbury province on the 16th inst., was celebrated at Timaru by a regatta, which caused a considerable amount of interest. A Dunedin crew was to have been present, but didn't turn up. The Timaru harbor has been described as truly magnificent, including as it does the -whole of the South Pacific; and although there was not much wind, there was an unpleasant "swell tumbling in all through the day. The Government service whaleboat was upset twice ; and in the four-mile champion whaleboat race another whaleboat whilst turning was struck by a heavy sea, which opened her seams forward and caused her to fill with water. - There were only four entries for this race, for which £6O was given in prizes ; and the promoters were much disappointed, as well they might be, that a laiger number of competitors did not come forward; but still "Timaru harbor" may, in a measure, account for this fact. Another noticeable fact (wa3, that no watermen put in an appearance for the race specially provided for them, as was also the case with the scullers' race ; but notwithstanding this and the other little mishaps the regatta was a genuine success." A regatta was also held at Akaroa on the same day, and the s.b. Hawea conveyed a number of excursionists from Lyttelton. It was a great success and there was a large attendance. The Canterbury men have done their level best to organise a crew for the champion four-oared outrigger race, but the attempt has failed owing to their not being able to raise a fourth man. A telegram published on Thursday morning states as follows: —"The second attempt to organise a crew for the Nelson regatta haß failed;" but we presume that this only applies to the four-oared race, as we understand that Canterbury will be strongly represented in the champion pairoared race. There was a general meeting of ■; members of the Canterbury Rowing Club held > on the 19th, at Warner's Hotel, but it lapsed on account of the attendance being so small. This does not look well, and we hope to see

our Canterbury friends more earnest in boating matters. A meeting of the Lyttelton Regatta ) Committee was held on the 18th, and the;

affair promises to be a success, all the leading' people in the district having taken the matter 1 up. It will be held on New Tear's day. The Nelson Regatta Committee are using every endeavor to make the Interprovincial meeting a success. Several meetings have been held during the past fortnight, at which letters received from the secretaries of the Kaipoi and "Wellington Rowing Clubs in ref ference to the time o£ starting the several races on the programme were considered. It was decided that the whole arrangements as t* starting the races, as the weather should be left to the Sailing Committee. Subr scriptions continue to be paid in, and the ' Nelson people certainly deserve the thanks of the rowing community for having come forward so liberally as to ensure the success of the regatta. At • the meeting of the Nelson Rowing Club held last week a match committee was elected to select the competing crews for the regatta. We hear of complaints, that old rowing men are not coming forward as thty should ; however, all the crews that are <ro ; ns; in for it are hard at work, and evidently don't intend that the prizes shall leavy; iN'etsnu without a struggle. Although wishing for the success of our own crews, we shouldllike to see the Nelson men do well, and keep some of the valuable. prizes they have handsomely subscribed for. The club has recently incurred a, heavy expenditure in purchasing racing boats, and although funds are rather low at present on this account, no doubt the appeal of the secretary fornew members and subscriptions will meet with the desired response, especially considering that the boat; ing mania—we do not use the word offensively —is now on the rampage in Nelson. From Auckland there is literally no news; but I hear of a Wellington betting man who is getting long odds against the crew of the Wellington Club at the Interprovincial Regatta. The West Coast papers are very reticent as to the doings of their crews, but report says that they are a very hot lot. The Kaipoi crew are picking up, and if they only stick to hard work they will prove formidable antagonists. Crook and Harrison have finished a new whaleboat for the Port Nicholson Rowing Club, and she appears to be a very fine model. It is customary to send to Melbourne and Hobarton for boats for our Jocal clubs, and the Port Nicholson Club deserve every credit for supporting builders in our own city, and the builders are to be congratulated on the excellent piece of work they have turned out. The Star Club received two single-scull clinkerbuilt batswings, built by Edwards, of Melbourne, per the Ringarooma, and she also brought some sets of sculls, by Ayling, for the Napier Rowing Club. They are nice handy boats, and will be very useful for practice. The Wellington Club, in addition to their new four-oared batswing, have received a batswing pair, which an old member of the club at present in Melbourne has appropriately christened " The Abolition." Their new whaleboat is expected to arrive from Hobarton by the Tararua on the 30th. The \ Dolly Varden's four have been out regularly for practice, and the other evening made some splendid time in smooth water in Evans Bay. The places and weights of themenareasfollows —Hearne(bow), 12at.; McGrath (No. 2),list. 121b5.; Walker (No. 8), 12st. 61bs.; Woods (stroke), 12st. 41bs. It is not yet decided whether this same crew,_ with an extra man, will represent the dub in the whaleboat race, or whether an entirely fresh crew will be chosen. In the pair-oared race Hearn (bow), and Walker (stroke), will be together, and will stand a very a good show. In the inrigged fours the Dolly Varden's crew will represent the club, and use the boat just imported. Arch, 4st. lOlbs., is to act as coxwain, and appears to do very well. It is probable that the champion crew will leave at_ au early date in January for Nelson for practice, where they will bo coached by the captain of tbo club. Tho club have kindly agreed to lend their new whaleboat to the crew of the Wellington Cadets, which is now getting into good practice. The junior four of the club arc a very fair lot indeed, and they should be heard of again. The Star Club have not yet fixed upon their fourth man for the champion fours *, but report says, and I think truly, that Ames is the man who will really go to the scratch. The want of decision in fixing upon a man has acted most prejudicially on the chances of the club at the regatta; and on the same ground also, I postpone any remarks' as' to the form of the crew until next week, when I shall have had an opportunity of judging. The Port Nicholson men have some likely men amongst them, but theyrnnatbe more regular in their practice if they mean , to do any good. I hope to seo them out. in their new whaleboat once and again before the time arrives for my next communication, and believe I shall be able to givo them » good character, The promoters

o£ tho Wellington Regatta have been most unfortunate in their two meetings. Tho first, by some silly mistake, was not properly advertised, and the second was fixed for the night of the " Messiah " performance, the consequence being a postponement until Thursday night. The anniversary of the foundation of the colony is a good day; and coming so soon after the Nelson Regatta, if a good prize list can be made up, no doubt some of the Interprovincial crews will be attracted. If only properly worked up, the regatta should be an entire success. The literary people in the TIMES office evidently feel hurt at not being invited to take part in the match against the Theatre ; and an affair comes off this morning between two quill-drivers and a pair of tvpe-snatchers. It is very doubtful which crew will win, as both are in wretched condition, and are only acquainted with the elementary principles of rowing. Keatch and O'Connor represent the mechanical department, and McKeegan and McNab the literary portion of the establishment. Each have their backers, and some fun may be anticipated.