ROWING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2005, 14 February 1907, Page 2

ROWING

Tlie spectators who witnessed the final of the Gisborne Rowing Club’s Schumacher fours were treated to a finish the like of which is seldom seen.. After a hard race, fought out every inch of the distance. H. Kershaw (stroke), Gumming (3), McGonigal (2), Faram (bow), defeated C. Hamilton (stroke), P. Hamilton (3), Rangi (2), Quigley (bow), by about two feet. Hamilton won the toss, and elected to row on the town side of the river, and from a good start, gained a slight advantage. With a sprint, Kershaw recovered "liis position, and continued to forge ahead until at the footbridge he had a hare length to the good. Hamilton here began to creep up on the leader, and at Evans’ had reduced the lead to a quarter of a length. Both crows then settled down to their -work in real earnest, but at Nesbitt’s, Hamilton had failed to make.any advance. Twenty yards from the post Kershaw called on his men for a final effort, and met with a prompt and willing response. A few seconds later Hamilton rallied his crew, but though they- responded with a brilliant finish, it was too late.to overhaul the leading crew, and Kershaw passed the post the winner by the very' small margin of two feet. Both crows performed well, F. Camming, ill particular, pulled a reliable oar, and a plucky- race. Tlie third round of tlie Poverty Bay’s Rowing Club’s single sculling competition was concluded last evening, when P. AA’illougliby defeated D. Murray, and A. Pritchard defeated G. Henderson. Tlie semifinal will bo rowed this evening between P. Willoughby and J. Nicolas. G. Henderson drew a by T e. The two latter are evenly matched, and an interesting race should be tho result,.

HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE. THE SQUAAV MAN. An immense audionco greeted tho production of “Tho Squaw Man” at His Majesty’s Theatre last night by Air. J. C. AVillinmson’s Dramatic Company, tho house boing packed in every part, and quite a largo number wore unable to obtain seats. Mr. E. Milton ltoylo’s production is somewhat! misleadingly described on tho bills as a “Sensational melo-eomody drama,” for although it doos not lack sonsational incidents such as tho firing of revolvor and tho shooting of a desperado, its main characteristic is pathetic rather than sensational, and tho shooting business is hut an auxiliary to tho pervading sentiment of tho story. The plot opens with a party nil tho Earl of Kirkliill’s mansion in England, whore tlio Earl’s young and fascinating wife reluctantly betrays her lovo for her husband's cousin Captain AVynngnto who lows her deeply and is willing to sacrifice everything but bis honor for her sake. To this end ho sacrifices tho chance of much-needed fortune by marriage t'o a rich widow, and obliterates himself from army life and all familiar associations, and takes on the stigma of an accusation of having embezzled army funds, really committed by tlio impecunious Earl, to savo her happiness, tho family linmo, and to ploaso the Earl’s fond mother. After absenting liimself, the Earl dies suddenly, and bis admiring widow seeks her former lover who is found in a rough tavern in American Indian territory amongst cow-punch-ers and Indians. Tho socond scone depicts AA’y nil gate’s life as tho Squaw Alan, that is married to a squaw, and proprietor of a ruinous speculation in tho shape of a ranch. This he refuses to desorb in order to return to England to claim his inherited title and the hand of his cousin’s widow though ho has not forgotten her lovo, because his squaw wife lias won his deopest loyalty by her unwavoring devotiin and watchfulness over, his life in many dangerous situations. As Diana, Countess of Korlchill, and lover of Captain AVynngato, Aliss Humphrey had not a really difficult part to play and she acquitted herself well, and without straining after effect. Indeed the same may be said of every member of the company, and as tho squaw wife of AVynngato, Aliss Florence Cleeson looked and acted a difficult part with full satisfaction, albeit, perhaps a little too tragically at times. Tho chief burden of tho cast vested with Capt. AVynngato, Mr. Charles AAhildron,' and his acting both as tho British officer and tho secluded ranchman was natural and well sustained. As tho devoted mother of tho prodigal Earl, Airs. G. B. AV. Lewis drew forth tho sympathy of tlio audionco by hor admirable interpretation, and Big Bill, the ranch foreman, found an admirable exponent in Mr. Rapley Holmes. Space will not permit a detailed reference to the numerous minor characters of tho play, a strong featuro of which was the evenness of merit displayed by every member of the cast, and the almost perfect idiom of the Indian dialogues and the characteristic Americanisms ranch conversation. Tlio piece as a wliolo was a pleasing contrast to threadbare English comedy, and a true insight into life that is little known within His Alajosty’s dominions.

To-night Afr AVilliamson’s Company will appear in “ The Virginian ” a play of which we have heard nearly, if not quite, as much as “ Tlio Squaw Alan,” in fact, on tho occasion of its first production in Sydney it undoubtedly rivalled its brilliant predecessor in the enthusiasm of its reception, the length of its run and the crowded houses it attracted. Air Charles AValdron in tho name part has strongly confirmed the high opinion lie inspired on the occasion of his first appearance, in fact it is questioned whether anything finer than his impersonation of Owen AA’ister’s manly hero Inis over been seen on a colonial stage. Aliss Ola Humphrey appears to have easily captivated all hearts by her charming character sketch of Afollie Wood, in which emotional part she is credited with some really magnificent work. The whole company has won such unstinted praise all along the line in this beautiful play that. we might fill columns with flattering quotations of almost every member, but space forbids, so we can only advise our readers to go and see for themselves.

To-morrow night the season will terminate with a lavishly mounted production of “Under Two Flags,” a stage version of Ouida’s beautiful romance. Special interest is attracted to this performance, as it affords an opportunity of seeing Air AValdron, Aliss Humphrey, and the company supporting them in a completely different atmosphere than that of tho first two plays of the season. It would be hard to imagine any dramatisation of Ouida’s famous novel —anything be fascinating and interesting to a degree. Special train arrangements have been made to enable country people to visit the theatre on Friday night l .