AQUATIC NOTES

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 232, 21 February 1885, Page 6

AQUATIC NOTES

By "Mud-Hook."

The race between the Drearu and Mascotte has not yet been definitely fixed, but will most likely be sailed nefct Saturday, 28th. I hear that M. Keefe, the strapping young oarsman who stroked the Waitemata Boating Club's champion five in the recent whaleboat race, purposes to go in for sculling in skiffs. It is said he already sits his boat well, and with, his fine physique, if that part be true, he should be a success in a shell. The ,Poet, Violet, and Ika were taken down to the Bay of Islands regatta. S. Dove will sail the former, J. Oollings the Violet, and E. Moore the Ika. I expect the Poet to win 24ft and under race, and the Violet the 18ft and under. E. Bailey and T. J. Farquhar also went down to compete in the sculling race. They will be opposed by Clendon, who rowed in the Wairoa whaleboat, and is said to be a hot member. The regatta of the Auckland Rowing Association was supposed to huve come off I on. Saturday last; but owing to bad water, bad management, and bad feeling, it was a darn bad farce altogether. A hole-and-corner meeting was held in the morning, from. which several of the best Conimittee men were absent through non-notification, notably Mr Thos. Henderson. The Captain of the North Shore Club, being a committee man, and present at the informal meeting, alone knew where the course was. There was no notification to clubs through their captains or secretarys, so North Shore pulled the course alone in several races, and got awarded the first prize, while boats and crews of the West End club were actually lying at Queen-street wharf, asking everybody who ought to have known, "Where's the bloomin' course ?" When they did find out their crew went to the post for one race, were the only starters, were started by Mr Oxley for a walk over; walked over, and were then told they would not get the prize, it being no race. How was that I dunno. North Shore got two under exactly similar circumstances. This Association is supposed to foster rowing, when the fact is it is rapidly killing any interest that may be taken in it. There is something radically wrong somewhere, things don't seem to gee worth a cent.