BOAT-RACE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 46, 22 January 1884, Page 2

BOAT-RACE.

The second and final heat of the junior fours took place yesterday afternoon. About halfpast one o’clock Jackson and his crew pushed off from the shed, followed shortly afterwards by Pavitt. At the last moment it was found that the starter, Mr. Boylan, was unavoidably absent, and it was arranged that the boats should start themselves by mutual consent* Mr. Cresswell acted as judge in lieu of Mr. T. J. Dickson, who was also absent. The following are the crews :— Waimata. Taraheru. Jackson, stroke E. A. Pavitt, stroke Martin, 8 R. Bullen, 3 Sage, 2 Gibbs, 2 Isles, 1 Mouat, 1

T. Adair, oox L. Ward, cox. The boats got away pretty well together, Jackson having slightly the best of it. On coming down the last reach of the Waimata both boats, for some unexplained reason, were seen hugging the Kaiti shore in a most remarkable manner. Whether this was the fault of the Taraheru’s coxswain or not we cannot say, but it looked as though he was “ boring ” the Waimata. On passing the junction of the two rivers the Taraheru was rather better than hall a length ahead, but between that point and Common and Shelton’s store they increased the difference to a full length. At this point Jackson’s crew got very wild, and some “ ducks and drakes ” were indulged in. Pavitt’s crew put on a spurt, and though there were only two of his crew rowing (we cannot call the paddling of some in either boats “ rowing”) he managed to get right away, and from opposite the ferry the race was virtually over, the Taraheru coming in about four lengths ahead. Of course, it would be very uncharitable to attempt to criticise the individual rowing of the juniors, but we would strongly advise those members who are totally unacquainted with their work, when they accept a seat in a boat, to at least practice sufficiently to enable them to make a creditable show, and not be the means of bringing ridicule upon those who have devoted all their energies to bring matters to a successful issue. In rowing, as in all other matters, no amount of excellence and skill can be attained without a large amount of application and perseverance; and, when a young man feels indisposed or incapable of maxing the requisite efforts, he should give place to those who would at least endeavour to do honor to the work in hand. We hope that junior members will take these remarks in the same manner they are meant, and the result cannot fail to be beneficial to them individually and to the club in general. It is no use urging that it is a '• bad time of the year for rowing.” It is not training that is wanted, but practice. We hope to see a much-improved state of affairs on Friday and Saturday next, when the senior fours will row their first and final heats, as there will then be no valid excuse for withholding our criticisms.