WITH THE OARSMEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 830, 26 November 1929, Page 14

WITH THE OARSMEN

BY

"RIGGER"

SPLASHES Waitemata*s youths four is as follows:—W. Eaddy (stroke). T. Edwards. R. Smith, R. Horning (bow). It should be a strong combination. Ii was decided at the last meeting of the A.R.A. that West End should be given custody of one of the eights on the condition that an alteration was made to the shed. The association would subsidise the club in the expense incurred. * * # Auckland junior and heavy maiden regatta crews were out during the week-end. They paid a visit to St. Mary’s Bay and called at the West End sheds. Pair-oared races, rowed by St. George’s during the week-end lor the Thomas Cup, were not finished owing to a mishap to one of the boats as they were going out for the final. The boat was jammed going under the embankment bridge and a rigger buckled. The finalists are Bright and Biss and Jackson and Lambert. The race will be rowed during the week. The capsizing of Korn’s boat was unfortunate in trial racing at North Shore on Saturday. The canvas was torn, and the boat took in so much water when used in the old-timer’s race that one crew had practically no show at all. Afternoon tea was provided by Mrs. L. Gardner when St. George’s rowed trials on Saturday. Mrs. Gardner is the wife of a keen honorary member of the club.

NEXT SATURDAY Another inter-club event is set down for Saturday; fours for the Schmidt trophies to be rowed under similar rules to those governing the Barratt Cup contest. Emphasis is being placed on a rule that competing clubs must enter at least four crews in the preliminary racing. The usual course outside the Hobson Bay embankment is to be used and crews are to be drawn by two o’clock. Owing to the absence of Mr. H. Schmidt in England, the races

will be judged either T>y Mr, G. Hogan, president of ttte Auckland Club, or Mr. H. Cleal, vice-president. Auckland has control of the racing for the trophy this- season. Mr. Schmidt’s gift consists of four large framed photographs of ships, and this is the first time they have been raced for. Auckland’s preliminary trial fours will also be for trophies presented by Mr. Schmidt, as will Waitemata’s. St. George’s is to row for the Coates Cup and caps. *• • * CHAMPIONS MEET A feature of the rowing events at the Tauranga regatta will be the meeting between W. A. Stevenson and W. Turner, ex-champion and champion amateur scullers. Last season Stevenson gave Turner 10 seconds and caught up five This time both men should start off scratch, and the result of the race will be some indication of the chances for the championship this season, for which both men are likely to be entering. It should be a great race, for both men are strong scullers. Stevenson is more of a stylist than the Tauranga man; but it is reported that Turner has improved his blade work considerably, without losing anything in pace.

SENIOR RACING There is a possibility that five senior crews will be boated in, the province this season. AVaitemata crew, is announced as follows:—T. Johnson. L#. E. Brooker. C. Fearon, \V. A. Stevenson. What seats the men will occupy is not yet finally settled, except that Brooker will row three. Johnson is most likely to be stroke, though both the others are possible candidates for the position. Stevenson stroked the senior crew, while still a junior oar, that defeated Hamilton at Ngar ua wall ia two years ago. It might be added that on that occasion the Waitemata won in a clinker boat. Fearon is also a good stroke; but the crew will probably row as stated. Johnson (stroke), Brooker, Fearon, Stevenson (bow). Hamilton, will, of course, have a senior crew. Tauranga may come to light again. St. George’s is considering ways and means just now, and North Shore is reported to be preparing a crew to take the water later in the season. It was mentioned at the last meeting of the A.R.A. that would put up prize money for a senior race this season, if there was a satisfactory number of starters. It will be a good crew that can frighten Hamilton; but it certainly looks as though there will be some determined attempts made to get a share of the money by other clubs. NEW SKIFF BUILT

Mr. P. R. Graham, the veteran oarsman at Devonport, has strapped the single scull he built last season and turned out another, built from New South Wales cedar, a nice darkcoloured wood. The boat is shorter than the English boat and has a 12in beam as against lOJin, the English standard. A special feature is the strengthening of the outrigger bracket by the adding of an additional stay, stretching forward, similar to that in on the new pattern four-rigger boats." A light brass rod is employed and will help to prevent the rowlock twisting round when the weight comes on it. Angle-bracing of iron is used to stiffen the amidship frame, and the footrests are shaped to fit the soles of the feet. The boat will be given a run at Tauranga, a Shore man having been promised the use of it. Some of the Edwards’s boats in the North Shore shed are 18 years old, and the hulls are remarkably good. The frames are fitted into every plank and not a seam has started. The rough handling of the bolting of the rigger brackets has spoiled the frames in some cases, but even now the boats could be made very serviceable. PAST HISTORY Among the spectators at Devonport on Saturday to watch the opening day racing, was Mr. J. Duder, who was one of the foundation members of the club 55 years ago. Two others were Mr. P. R. Graham and Mr. S. McCallum, who were in one of the crews that rowed in the races held at the regatta promoted in 1899 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. On that occasion the big war canoe “Taheretikitiki” (the name means the “Warrior’s Crest”) was the great attraction. and her crew of 48, with a racing paddling-stroke, surprised the Europeans that tried to row alongside them, with the speed with which they drove the canoe. INTERPROVINCIAL EIGHTS Subject to permission being obtained to use the course on the day, the A.R.A. has fixed on March 23 as the best date to row the eights on the Whau. The race was allotted to Auckland this season, and March 23 is the only suitable day when the tide is at all satisfactory The secretary of the association was asked at the last meeting to communicate with all other asr sociations asking for entries. Three other entries beside Auckland are wanted before the association will commit itself to putting on the race. Canterbury is not likely to travel this season; but Otago, Wanganui and Wellington are all likely starters. Shore crews for Saturday will be drawn from the men who turned out on opening day if they all turn up. That will mean an entry of six crews.