GISBORNE ROWING CLUB.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 253, 6 October 1884, Page 2

GISBORNE ROWING CLUB.

OPENING PROCESSION. The opening of the Rowing Club’s present season was celebrated on Saturday afternoon under most favofable circumstances, the weather being beautiful and the water as smooth as the proverbial mill-pond. Precisely at the time appointed the Club boats, six in number, left the shed and proceeded to the junction of the river. The launch Snark, which had been previously freighted with a large number of passengers who had received invitations from the Club, steamed up the river to meet the boats. The Club boats then went through some pretty manoeuvres, and afterwards formiNg in pairs, proceeded up the river as far as the first bend, followed by the launch. A halt was made while the boats again manoeuvred which brought two of them ahead, two abreast, and two in rear of the Snark, and in this position they proceeded down the river to the Rosina, which had been kindly lent by Mr. Johnston and brought into use as a flagship. The launch anchored and the boats pulled round her a few times in the following order. Taruheru— E. A. Pavitt (stroke) Morrow (2) Ratcliffe (3) A. Webb (bow) T. Adair (cox) Waimata— E. H. Pavitt (stroke) Grossman (2) Allom (3) Chrisp (bow) L. Ward (cox) Undine— W. O. Sheet (stroke) W. A. O’Meara (2) Vennell (3) Isles (bow) Mermaid— Cannon (stroke) P. O'Meara (2) Whitcombs (3) B. O’Meara (bow) PAIRS. Hinemoa— R. Ballantyne (stroke) Rawson (bow) Pinafore— Bourne (stroke) Browne (bow) A. Steele (cox) The winning four of last season then pulled alongside to receive their cups. Miss Porter made the presentation, and said she hoped the recipients would live long to use them, and that they would be as successful in the future as they had been in the past. (Cheers.) Captain Porter, on behalf of the ladies and other visitors present, returned thanks to the club for the pleasure he and the other visitors had derived from the trip. He had heard that the Napier people were anxious to receive a challenge from Gisborne, and he was satisfied from what he had seen that the local club would give a good account of themselves, he saw no reason why a rowing champion should not be developed in Gisborne, and hoped they would keep up their practice so as to be in a position to accept any challenge that might be sent up. (Cheers.) He called for three cheers for the club, which were given with a right good will. Captain Ratcliffe in replying said the Club were negotiating for the purchase of some new boats, and on receipt of them they would be in a position both to send and accept challenges. (Cheers.) He called for three cheers for Captain Porter. Cheers were also given for Miss Porter, the ladies, the Union Co.’s agent (Mr. Lambie), Captain Neal and officers of the Snark, the winners of last season, and a host of others, which concluded the ceremony. Captain Porter announced that Mr. Lambie had offered the Snark for a run round the bay if the ladies were agreeable. All hands were held up for the proposition, and a very enjoyable trip was made. On arrival back at the wharf three more cheers were given for Mr. Lambie, Captain Neal, and “all his men,” and all expressed themselves as having spent a very pleasant afternoon.