DESCRIPTION OF THE SCENE.

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

DESCRIPTION OF THE SCENE.

The first beat on 7bh December was between Searle, Mafcterson and Beach. The start was not a good one, Searle getting away before the other? and dashed off at thirty-five, Beach with a steady stroke at thirty -six, Matterson at thirty -eight, Reach's position was in midstream, Matterson on the south side, and Searle between these rowers. From the very start there was seen to be something amiss, and Searle and Matterson gradually forced Beach on to the north side of the river, and before they had gone a few hundred yards, Searle deliberately rowed infco him. Beach immediately held up his hands and claimed the foul. Amidst cheers from the umpire's boat, Beach again dashed off, and was no sooner fairly started than Matterson, whose position was on the south side, darted awaj across Beach's bow and took the latter's place on the north side. This was no sooner done, however, than Beach gallantly spurted, the result being thab Searle and Matterson by their own act became nipped in the inside position ; and Beach, pursuing his way, made the pace hot. Crossing the river, however, to get to the south bank, Matterson and Searle, who had the shortest course, drew out and got on each side of Beach and for the next few hundred yards they jostled Beach, refusing to allow him to pull either to the left or to the right. He repeatedly endeavoured to extricate himself, but without avail. They jostled him until Beach again held up his hand and claimed the race. The greatest excitement prevailed on theumpire'sboatwhich was crowded with 200 or 300 persons, and all were unanimous in denouncing the action of Searle and Matterson as the most disgraceful proceedings they had ever witnessed, and howls of indignation went up from the steamers, followed by deafening cheers for Beach. The latter, in response to cries r from the pixblic on the umpire's boat, took it easy for the remainder of the distance. Immediately after the race, Beach entered a protest on the ground •of a foul, and the, umpire, after consideraiiion, "decided to disqualify Searle 1 'arid

Matterson from the race, and declared Beach the winner. The verdict elicited loud cheers in favour of Beach ; while Searle and Matterson. came in for a perfect pandemonium of howls and groans, and both were glad to leave the precincts of the steamer with all possible Bpeed.