ACQUATICS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 17, 4 December 1883, Page 2

ACQUATICS.

Boat Rack. Anntyr five o'clock on Saturday, the two victorious crews in Friday’s contest got th«*ir crafts afloat. The choice of boats fell to Barnes, who selected the Wuimata, sho drawing less water than the Tarahera, a great consideration In pulling against tha tide. Jackson having won the choice of portion elected to take the inshore one. From the outset misfortune seemed to attend the Taraheru. In getting in position for a start No. 8 had the misfortune to break his rowlock, and delay took place before this could be temporarily remedied ; their opponents agreeing that, in the event uf it again giving way during the race, the contest should be lowed over again. This arrangement being just and equitable tu all patties, a st' ft was effected, but the coxswain uf the Tarakeiu speedily ran her on tu a mad bank, and a long time was again lost in getting the boat off. The action uf Baruea in coining back and agreeing to another start was highly commendable. Another start was no sooner made than No. 2 unshipped his sliding seat and had to row the race at an immense disadvantage. Jackson got thu advantage of the start and kept well ahead fur some distance, but neither crew rowing in anything like perfection of style—in tact we hr.ve never seen them show to less advantage during the the whole uf their practice, and we can only attribute this to the excitement consequent upon their anxiety to secure the handsome trophies which were to reward the successful efforts uf the proud victors. Upon nearing the junction of the two rivers Baruea’ crew, taking advantage of the etill water, settled iutu better form and forged ahead. Though Jackson’s crew were pulling strongly aud making good headway, they were Beverly tacked at thia point, their coxswain taking them right into the strongest. and roughest part of the current ; nevertheless they stretched well to their work and, on passing the ferry, put on a splendid spurt, which brought them in a line with their opponents. The other crew dow put on all steam, but grade ally Jackson got in u line with No. 1 in the other craft, which position he only managed for a short period and fr««m theif fell astern until the positions of t he boats were reversed, aud notwithstanding every effort on the part of Jackson’s game cirew he failed to alter his position for .he 1 better, being beaten by half a length iu one of Ihe best contested races we have ever witn eased.

We must sympathise with Mr. Jackson and his crew for the series of misfortunes which beset them on all sides, as we cannot help thinking that the last naishap reduced their excellent chance of winning to a minimum ; but at the same time, we must say that the generous conduct of their opponents in coining back and agreeing to a fresh start ou the occasion of the Taraheru taking the ground, is beyond ail praise aud refl cts more honor ou them than thu victory itself.

3he following are the names of tha crews:—

Waimata— Barnes (stroke) ; Gibbons, No. 8 ; Sage, No. 2 ; Brown. No. 1 ; Adair, (cox). Tarahebu —Jackson (stroke) ; C. Ward, No. 3 ; Bullen, No. 2 ; Webb, No. 1 ; L. Ward (cox). At the conclusion of the race Mr. Ratcliffe called for three cheers for Captain Porter and his handsome cups, and also three cheers for Mrs. Porter and family, which were most enthusiastically responded to, sWIMMISO MATCH. On Saturday afternoon a swimming match took place between five competitors. The distance was from the ferry down to the schooners bows lying at the lower wharf. Though the distance was not great it proved a severe task on account of being against a strong flood tide. Thomas, who w«s the favorite st starting, soon had enough of it, and gave up. Uuni.it led tt.e whole way swimming strongly, and showing . great endurance. whilst Wyllie contested the second place with Aamuss, the former coming in sonftdistance behind Dunnet, who swam with thSrt breast stroke.