AQUATIC CARNIVAL.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 328, 26 December 1888, Page 5

AQUATIC CARNIVAL.

Brisbane, October 10. — The SeavleMatterson jostling of Beach on Friday and subsequent action of the committee in revoking their decision to disqualify the two former from competing in the remainder of the carnival and allowing them to row in the next race has developed into a scandal. Indignation runs high, particularly against the committee. Damaging statements are circulating with reference to the relations between one or two of the committee and certain citizens occupying influential positions, well-known for sporting proclivities. It is said that the latter, having large sums on Searle, brought pressure to bear to enable him to compete in Tuesday's final heat. A searching inquiry, it is thought, ■would elicit evidence of a somewhat sensational nature. Beach is so disgusted with Searle and Matterson that he states he will never again row in any race in which either of these compete.

Brisbane, December 11 . The first and only heat rowed to-day in connection with the aquatic carnival was decided in favour of Searle, Kemp being second, and Matterson a bad third. The committee, at the eleventh hour, decided that only one heat was necessary, and the first, second and third prizes will therefore be awarded to the rowers in the order named. The three men stripped to the waist, and positions were taken up as follows : — S«arJe under the north bank, Kemp in the middle, and Matterson under the south bank. The signal for the btart being: given, the three dashed off together^ all striking the water simultaneously, Searle putting in 42, Kemp the same and Matterson 43 strokes to the minute. Searle immediately made for Hambug Point, got in the fouth shore water, and forged a length ahead, Kemp following a length j ahead of Matterson. Ahou pace was con- i tinued down the north bank, Searle i steadily increasing his lead. Crossing ' thence to the south bank all got into midstream, and as they here laboured under , the disadvantage of rough water Searle , dropped down to 32 long sweeping strokes I to the minute, Kerap going at the same I pace two lengths behind. Matterson lying the same distance in the rear. The first mile post was passed in 6min. 50aec. The lumpy water was still considerably ! impeding progress, and the men got under j the south bank again, Searle leading by three lengths and keeping a splendid course. Kemp h'igged the bank too closely, and Matterson followed his example. Continuing this Searle was rowing with a splendid machine-like Btroke and continuing to increase his lead, held the other cheaply. Kemp got too near the shore twice or thrice, and struck snags, thereby losing half a length, having to lift an oar each time. Matterson was net much better. Good time was made for the second mile, the post being passed in 12min. 48sec. Here Matterson was evidently done up. * Kemp madeoccasionalspurtsof half-a-dozen strokes or so to diminish Heat les lead, but thechampion was not in theleastdiseomfited, and continued right to the finish without altering or increasing his long, machine-likestroke, winning easily by llsec Mdtter3on was fully 50 yards behind Kemp. Searle's time was 18min. 39Jsec, the victor beating Kemp by fully 8 lengths.