Our Rowing Club.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 920, 23 February 1881, Page 4

Our Rowing Club.

This popular institution inaugurated the season on Saturday by a series of scratch matches on the Waimata. We have been wondering why they had not started earlier, as the best part of the summer weather has been allowed to pass. However, the old saying of “ better late than never ” is applicable. The first match was between the “ Undine and “ Mermaid.” The crew of the former were :— Ratcliffe, stroke ; E. Parau, 3 ; G. Wyllie, 2 • A. O’Meara, bow : F. O’Meara, Cox. The Mermaid's crew were : —Tabuteau, stroke ; E. H. Pavitt, 3 ; Cresswell, 2 ; P. O Meara, bow ; H. Hamlin, cox. Tabuteau was the fii-st to catch the water, owing to Ratcliffe’s boat being somewhat too closely in shore. A fairly well-maintained struggle took place, but t e Undine from shortly after the start, had the race in hand, and won comfortablv. Ratcliffe is an excellent stroke, and rows not only with skill, but also exercises judgment. He has good style, enters and leaves the water neatly, and never bustles himself until the time comes. Parau who rowed behind him is a strong, resolute oarsman, and with a little more coaching will make a name for himself in acquatics. Wyllie was not in good form, and A. O’Meara, although a regular sticker, should learn how to better get forward, and recover more quickly. Of the Mermaid’s crew I can scarcely speak so favorably. Tabuteau is not fitted for stroke, and pulls like a novice. Mere strength alone can never make an oarsman, and that short, quick stroke is never of much use, more especially with untrained men. E. H. Pavitt is an acquisition to the Club, possessing both style and stamina. Cresswell will never row well being too weak, and P. O’Meara appeared to be altogether out of form. The next event was between the Undine E. A. Pavitt, stroke ; W. O. Skeet, 3 ; Mountford, 2 ; E. Brown, bow ; F. Teat, cox Mermaid : Huddleston, stroke ; J, Carroll' 3 ; Rosie, 2 ; C. Ward, bow ; Williams, cox ’ This race was won by the Undine by a nose The race was lost by unskilful steering, and the fact of the crew being out of form. Huddleston was not up to the mark. Carroll rowed well and appeared to be in good form Rosie pulled strong, but in bad time ; whilst Ward should never have gone into the boat a L all. Of the winning erew E. A. P av °tt showed both skill and staying power. He has a neat, clean style, and many of our youngsters might well take him as a pattern in order to acquire that finish which every day does not furnish an example. Skeet was not in trim and both Mountford and Brown need an amount of tuition so far. In the final heat the winning crews were the same, with the exception that W Mill took Skeet’s place (the latter being sick), an d Ratcliffe again scored a victory. . . Mr Boylan acted r » 8 sUrtef, end uav 6 general satisfaction.