THE COMING ROWING CONTEST.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1194, 13 February 1880, Page 2

THE COMING ROWING CONTEST.

Otago v. Canterbury. We are glad to learn that the Otago Rowing Club and the Canterbury Rowing Club have resolved to hold annual boat races. They will inaugurate the idea on the estuary of the Heathcote River, on the 28th inst., and it is understood that the next race will be held at Henley-on-Taieri. ; The chosen contestants are working hard. The Otago Club, wisely recognising the prowess of the Canterbury men, have provided their crew with a new boat;which hails from the celebrated factory of Clasper. She combines all the improvements which have lately bsen adopted by the universities of Oxford and Cambridge, and if her looks do not belie her*, those who will man her need

only get into good form, as she will answer to the most delicate manipulation. The Christchurch crew are as follows : Stroke, L. M. Ollivier ; 3, J. R. Evans ; 2, T. Taylor; bow, J. O. Jones. These men are in splendid condition. They have been in active training for the last ten weeks, and are all well known to possess superior staying powers and skill. In fact, judging from their appearance, they should be able easily to cope with their southern friends, who are under the disadvantage of being a much lighter crew than they are, and of having had far less training, having deferred practice in until the arrival of their new boat, .which has only just come to hand by,the Loch Fleet. The Otago crew ' are Stroke, W. Aspinall ; 3, S. Turton; 2, W. S. Roberts; bow, G. A. Fenwick.

These men are also known to be no mean oarsmen, Withy perhaps, the exception iof-'No. 2,' who has yet to gain his laurels in the Antipodes. But the splendid form herdisplays warrants the assumption that he will neither disgrace his colleagues nor the Club. We regret that " The Com.modore" has been placed in the bow. As stroke he has gained much distinction in the past in Otago, and we should like to have-seen him afforded an opportunity of " stroking" this crew on Canterbury waters. It is reasonably expected that the contest will be sharp and exciting, and that it will be witnessed by a large assemblage from far and near. Wc hope that the Northerners will ■ meet fellows tougher than they expect.