AQUATICS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3768, 24 March 1891, Page 2

AQUATICS.

TJaivsrsity Boat Race.

Another "Win for Oxford.

Exciting Finish.

London, March 21

The University boat race between Oxford and Cambridge eights, rowed over the usual courso on the Thames from Putney to Mortlsike to day, resulted in a victory for Oxford by a quarter oF a length. Cambridge led at the start, but were speedily overtaken by Oxford, and the boats were on even terms ou passing under Hammersmith bridge. Here Cambridge assumed the lead, and were a quarter of a length to the good opposite Thorneycroft's at Chiswick. An obstinate and well fought struggle took place over the remainder of the course. Oxford gradually reduced their opponents' lead, and putting on a final spurt after shooting Barnes railway bridge, passed the judge's boat a quarter of a length ahead in 21min 48sec.

The race was the grandest seen for years, and throughout ic there never was a clear length between tho boats. The latest betting was 11 to 4 on Oxford.

Loss of a Barque.

Safety of the Grev-

Terrible Privations.

Sydney, March 22.

The crew of the barque Don Nicholas arrived here to-day in boats belonging to that vessel. The barque left Newcastle for San Francisco on the 4th Maich with a cargo of 1800 of coal, and Captain Gustafson reports that when only five days out heavy storms were experienced, during which Ihe vessel sprung a leak. The pumps were started, but as the crew were unable to cope with the water two of the ship's boats were lowered and preparations made for leaving the ship. The water increased with such rapidity that the crew were compelled to leave the barque when about 500 miles off the coast of Australia, and shortly afterwards she disappeared. The boats were very scantily provided with provisions, and owing to an oversight the compass was left behind, but the captain managed to take observations by means of a broken chronometer. Those in the boats consisted of thirteen crew and two passengers, and the rations served out to each man was ono soda biscuit and half a pint of water per day. After nine days, during which the occupants of the boats suffered severe privations, they reached Sydney Heads to-day. The Don Nicholas was a vessel of 975 tons register.