ROWING MATCH.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 57, 4 February 1884, Page 2

ROWING MATCH.

The pair-oar match between two representatives of the North Shore (Auckland) and two of our local Club came on on Saturday afternoon, in the presence of a large number of spectators, who evinced the liveliest interest in the proceedings, The match was the result of a challenge given by Messrs. Wells and T. O’Connor, as members of the North . Shore Club, to row our two best local men. ; The Messrs, I’avitt, having proved their right ’ to the honor by having won the two main events of the season—viz;, the senior and junior fours,—were selected as ourchampions, . Unfortunately, our Club had no pair-oared boats fit to row a match of this description in, on account of their dissimilarity in structure and weight, and so had only two alternatives—< either to row in the four oared boats, Waimata and Taruheru, or to refuse the challenge. Sooner than do the latter, they resolved to adopt the first course, though it must give a great advantage to the two most powerful men. The discrepancy in thia respect will be more plainly apparent when we state that Messrs. O’Connor and Wells shipped conjointly as 27st.—the former 13st. 121bs. and the latter 13st. 21bs., —whilst the Pavitts were only 22st. lib., or 12st. and lOlbs. 11b. respectively. Norwithstanding this, each side was most confident of victory, and, although the Aucklanders found many warm supporters, yet such was the faith in our local argonauts that numbers were found ready to back them to “any amount.” The state of the tide at the appointed time was anything but suitable, it being all but low water, and the channel consequently proportionately narrow, a circumstance which thus necessitated the greatest care in steering. Added to this, a strong wind was blowing, which had a tendency to send the boats, which were high out of the water, over on the lee shore. Having tossed for the choice of positions, the Aucklanders took the weather guage oh the Kaiti shore and the local craft to leeward on the Whataupoko side. When the men stripped in the shed we could not help feeling a certain amount of misgiving as we looked on the two powerful and muscular Aucklanders, and should certainly have lost all heart had we not remembered that the race is not always “ to the swift and the strong.” We also noticed that “ Little Pavitt ” was suffering from an “ eruption of boils,” another circumstance not much in his favor. Our local men were the first to get afloat and paddied away in the best of spirits, followed in about a quarter of an hour by their opponents, We also noticed that, owing to the boats not being down to their proper bearing, it was a most difficult matter to set them steadily. THE RACE. < n arriving at the starting-point, justoppoposite Mr. Harris’s house, the boats were turned, and getting into position, Mr Ratcliffe gave the word “ go.” Both boats got way upon them at the same instant, but Wells, through some cause, made two or three short strokes, a circumstance which resulted in our local ship forging ahead about half a length. Both crews now settled to their work and were sending their ships along at an incredible speed considering the size and weight.

On nearing the point at thejijunction of tho two river, the Aucklanders, with the evident determination of getting on even Wrm. with their opponents, put on a tremendous spurt and coining on like a steaiaboitt, had just overhauled the otlicr craft, when Pavitt's oar took the land and before their coxswain could rani down his helm in obedience to the lotld conimand of “ keep her out I we're ashore,” the other boat had passed them and was leading by fully a good length. In this position the two boats neared Common, Shelton's, where the tide makes a fine sweep along the Kaiti shore—a fact whieh the leading coxswain made the most of. At the ferry our men made their greatest effort, straining every muscle, but in vain, for the herculean strokes of the North Shore men, each time .they took a grip of the water,' literally lifted their heavy boat over the water, and sent her surging ahead at such a rate as to render the skill and pluck of our less muscular champions utterly unavailing. Loud were the cries, "Go it Pavitt!" " Bravo Auckland,” from the banks, and it was difficult to say which side was the most demonstrative, but as the victors shot by the winning-point—winner by fully two lengths—the cheers for Auckland were nearly universal.

After a spell of a few minutes (for both crews were pretty Well " baked”) the winners were called alongside the Snark, and Mr: T. J. Dickson presented them with two beautiful and chastely designed silver trophycups, which had been selected from Mr, Matthew Nasmith’s stock. In making the presentation Mr. Dixon highly complimented Messrs. O'Connor and Wells on the splendid race they had won, and trusted that before long he should again see them amongst us engaged in harbor improvements, which he hoped would be performed in as creditable a manner as the wharf contract had been. Both gentlemen received their trophies with a few suitable words expressive of their pride in having beaten two such tough antagonists; and expressing a hope that ere long they might again be enabled to try conclusions, when, all things equal, the result might be different, Three hearty cheers were given as they shoved off, followed by three no less vociferous ones for our men.

After the race we interviewed the Aucklanders, and found them to be old veterans at the sport, Mr. O'Connor especially having rowed to victory in many a hard-fought cdffi test; The latter. is a fine athlete; and has given several instances of his prowess iff many sports during his short stay aniongat us. We hear that the greatest interest has been evinced in the result by the Auckland rowing community, and a telegram wee immediately sent off to Mr. E. Burgess, the Captain of .the North Shore Club, carrying the welcome news. The time in which the race wae rowed wall 5 min. 15 secs; distance about 1 mile.