BOAT-RACE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 50, 26 January 1884, Page 2

BOAT-RACE.

• The first heat of the senior fours, rowed yesterday evening, reflects the greatest credit on, not only the crews engaged, but also the s Lino. At the opening of the season, when Mr. , Ratcliffe was elected Captain, and, knowing 1 full well that that gentleman would impart f «°i me 4i 0f hifl !“ erBy into th ® concern, we con< 3 predicted a most successful j The result, so far, has fully justified our i anticipations, and this summer has witnessed ) the most successful boating reason ever i known to the Bay. One thing has graatlv surprised us, and that is the want of interest evinced by the general public, and especially the ladies, in one of the most genteel and fashionable sports of the present day. It certainly does not speak well for the refined tastes of our ladies when we see them flocking from all quarters to witness horse-races, which are conducted on such principles as to be only worthy the patronage of black-legs and sharpers. But, at the same time, we cannot help thinking that, if some provision in the t shape of accommodation for ladies were made wherebv they could view the race from some point of vantage, such as the deck of the Snark, or some floating “ grand stand,” a great deal more interest would be shown by those, without whom pure enjoyment cannot be experienced, and wanting whose presence all pleasure must be insipid and unin. teresting. We venture to call Mr. Ratcliffe’s attention to our remarks, and feel certain that that gentleman’s versatile genius will speedily find some remedy for this evil. The application and energy displayed by the nrom«> bers of the Club this season deserves support of all lovers of a healthy, genteel, and manly sport, which ranks second to none in its wholesome effect on the physique and ° ur young men, and we sincerely hope to see it more extensively patrnniwed in the future than it has been in the past.

THE RACE. Shortly before the announced time, five o’clock, the ships were launched and manned, all hands looking “ well and fit,” with the exception of No. 2 in Pavitt’s craft, who, we understand, was somewhat unwell. As they put off from the shed they all sat their boats well, and took the water in a very creditable style. Arriving at the starting-post, Mr. Ratcliffe succeeded in getting them away to an excellent start. Before long, Pavitt had forged a-head, and by the time the junction of the rivers were reached, the boats were all but clear of each other, both crews rowing (with the exception of No. 2 in Pavitt’s flyer) well and steadily, Pavitt with a rather short and rapid stroke, and Barnes with that clean, long sweep which we have so often seen lead to victory in many a hard-fought contest at the other end of the globe. When opposite the ferry, Barnes’ men bent to their work, and every energy was strained to the very utmost—the long stroke began to tell, and inch by inch the prow of the stern boat began to forge ahead in response to the muscular propeller’s efforts. The race now became most exciting, and encouraging cries were heard from various partisans and friends of the competitors, co-mingled with the shrill and noisy appeals of the youthful coxswain to “ send her along, boys.” At half distance between the ferry and the wharf it became

apparent that unless Barnes possessed the requisite powder for a tremendous spurt, the race must be to his opponents. And so it proved, for on nearing the goal it was seen that, notwithstanding that Barnes was very perceptibly gaining, yet he could not possibly get on equal terms in the short distance to be rowed. Amidst cheers and excitement Pavitt’g ship shot past the judge—the winner of one of the best races we have seen here, by a bare half-length. The following are the names of the two crews:— Ist Boat. 2nd Boat.

E. H. Patitt (stroke) Barnes (stroke) AUom (3) Bourne (3) Grossmann (2) Sage (2) Chrisp (1) Brown (1) L. Ward (cox) Adair (cox) The final heat will be rowed to-morrow, at 4 o'clock p.m., between E. H. Pavitt’s and C. Ward's crew, and we confidently predict a splendid race, as Ward's men are all in prime condition, and ” eager lor the fray.”