Opening of the Boating Season.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 990, 25 October 1881, Page 2

Opening of the Boating Season.

The formal opening, of the boating season took place on Saturday last, and certainly the Gisborne Rowing Club deserve the greatest possible praise for thb perfectness of their arrangements. Unfortunately, however, the clerk of the weather had not been consulted, and the consequence was that a great deal of the eclat which would have been consequent was lost. The rain came on just as the start was being made, and lasted during the procession. Notwithstanding this, shortly before three o’clock the boats got into line below the bridge, which was swung, and started up the Taruheru. The first boat was rowed by Miss Eva Gibbons, and was beautifully and tastefully decorated by flags of all nations, in minature, made by Mrs. R. G. Gibbons. Then came a boat with Mr. Johnstone (collector of customs) ane his family, following which came Mrs. Boylan and Miss Skeet, then Messrs. Oxley and Croft, and several other boats. Next the Club’s boats, as follow : —The Hinemoa and Pinafore (double outrigged pairs), the Mermaid, Lurline, and Undine (fours), manned by members of the Club. The s.s. Noko followed, with the Artillery Band on Hoard, and towing Capt. Chrisp’s boat, which had a number of ladies on board. In this erder they proceeded as far as the Recreation Ground, and then returned to the boat shed. Three hearty cheers having been given by the members, three more were called and given for “the Ladies,” Messrs. Kennedy and Bennett (who kindly placed the Noko at the disposal of the Club, and a similar compliment to the Band. We had almost omitted to mention that the procession was under the guidance of Messrs. Ratcliffe (the captain), and Mr. R. G. Gibbons, jun., who accompanied it in the Nautilus. The affair, as before stated, was a decided success—in fact nothing to tqual it has yet been seen in Gisborne, the unpropitious state of the weather being the only thing that could be complained of.