ROWING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2474, 13 April 1909, Page 5

ROWING.

UAWA ROWING CLUB. OFFICIAL OPENING. , . The official opening of the Uawa ltowing Club, Tologa Bay, took place on Saturday last, the weather being perfect, and with the exception of a slight breeze, which at times made the water a little choppy, the rowing conditions were ideal. The two Gisborne Clubs sent a strong contingent to visit the new club, about, 40 oarsmen in all and among them most of the crack, crews of the season, there being practically five .out of the six crews who competed in the Licensed Victuallers’ Shield match of the previous Saturday. The local rowers vers treated during the day to a fine exhibition of the art and, judged by the keen interest with which each crew was watched, the display was greatly appreciated, and no doubt will result in a great improvement in the local club’s style. A strong committee had everything ready, promptly, and'so the different events were got off promptly to time, much to the satisfaction of the largo number of interested spectators. During the afternoon Mr. \Voo* w n’t orchestra played appropriate music from a spacious marquee-erected besula fee chib’s boat-house. Afternoon tea was dispensed by a bevy of ladies. 'I lie visitors expressed themselves dehght'-d with the local river and boats, _ and alter ipcotin££ tlio local crows in a frionJ» v 1s iangular match, expressed surprise .at the manner. in .which they sho tne heats along, considering that the snm !’ 1 ' ‘.v : ' Comp.iuv - .ji . I* *Phnnai 191. 1‘ fl R •. 'M

boats had only been in® the shed about nine weeks, and prophesied trouble, when tho three clubs should meet again next season.

During the evening the visitors were tho guests of the local club at a dinner laid in tho spacious dining room of Mr. J. P. Murphy’s Tologa Day hotel. After the loyal toast of “Tho King” was drunk, Mr. Geo. H. Williams, who presided, proposed the “Health of the Visiting Oarsmen,” and in a neat speech conveyed his club’s appreciation or the visit of such a number, considering the distance and inconvenience of the journey. He expressed a hop© that the function would become an annual fixture. He coupled the toast with the visiting clubs’ captains, Messrs 0. J.' Hamilton and Jas. Webb.

Mr. Hamilton, captain of the Gisnorne Rowing Club, in replying, extended his club’s thanks for the hearty welcome and kind traetment accorded thc'r members, and in reference to Mr. Williams’ remarks regarding making the fixture an annual one, expressed a hope that next year ho would see this chib competing in the Licensed Victuallers’ Shield matches, and promised to use his best efforts in conjunction with others interested in bringing this about. He concluded with .some sound advice on rowing generally. Mr. Webb, captain of the Poverty Bay Rowing Club, said that he fully concurred with Mr. Hamilton iii every way, especially with regard to the treatment they had received at their hosts’ hands, and joined with him in hoping to see the Uawa Rowing Club competing against them for ’the shield in Gisborne. He considered that with the material they had in tho shed, properly coached, no one would be surprised if the shield should follow in their steps and pay a visit to Tologa Bay. The speaker said he felt sure that no one would begrudge such good sports as those they had met that day any victory they achieved, considering the cheerful manner in which they had met defeat that day and came up again for more.

Mr. Cowan, lion, secretary of the Gisborne Rowing Club, proposed the toast of the Uawa Rowing Club, and said ho felt honored and pleased at having an opportunity of adding his mite of praise, to the local club for a most pleasantly spent holiday. He coupled the toast with the names of the captain (Mr. Jas. Walker) and the lion, secretary (Mr. H. McNeish Walker).

Mr. -Jas. Walker said that although ho was unable to make a fluent speech, lie could assure those present that the visitors’ coming hau been a source of great satisfaction to the local boys, and he only regretted that more could not be done to show their appreciation. Mi-. Id. McNeish Walker said that any little trouble their few preparations had cost was amply repaid bv tho amount of good the visit had done to his club, which might not he so apparent pust now, but would be next season. He had no doubt his club would be very p’eased to be afforded an opportunity of joining in tlie shield match e.s, and felt' sure that the club members would onlv too gladly make a trip to Gisborne and still more gladly win the shield, but he felt rather doubtful on the point of the winning for a few years yet. The toasts of “Commercial Interests” and “Kindred Sports,” and three hearty cheers for the host- and hostess brought an enjoyable function to a close. The following events were got off during the day:— . Ten-stone Race. —Gisborne* Rowing Club v. Uawa Rowing Club: From a good start Gisborne got going first, and were two lengths ahead in the first few strokes, and although .good efforts were made to head them, they won easily by half-a-lengtli. . Seniors—-Povertv Bay Rowing C.ub v. Uawa Rowing Club: In this event Loth clubs’ crews were mixed. From a crood start Uawa got a slight lean, which they maintained for a quartermile, but were then overtaken, and rowipo- fame!v, were lead home. 'juniors.— Poverty Bay Rowing Club v. Uawa Rowing Club: Uawa jumped away with a length load from the start, but were quickly overhauled, and once a erg in Uawa followed home. "Married Men’s Race.—Between crews stroked by Reece Jones and Geo. Buscko: Beth got away well, wuen F.uscke went to the front slightly. Both boats shot the bridge going well, Biiscke still leading, but Jones came well, and won by a few feet. Ten-stone Race— Poverty Bay Rowing Club v. Gisborne Rowing Club : Poverty Bav jumped away from a good start, with a slight lead, which they maintained to the bridge, and then came away and won bv a length. Juniors.— Gisborne Rowing Club v. Povertv Bav Rowing Club: Gisborne got. away with a slight advantage, and a very even race ensued for half-a-niiie, when'Gisborne came away and, increasing their lead all the time, won comfortably bv three lengths. Mixed Seniors. —Between crews stroked by J. Nicolas and Reece Jones: Nicolas* got first away, and kept a slight kad ail riie way down, but was caught and passed on the post. Ten-stone Race. —Poverty Bay Bowin'® Club v. Uawa Rowing Club: Uawa got first away, but Poverty Bay, were soon on even terms, which ueic maintained three parts of the course, when Uawa drew away and won by two lengths. _ . Juniors.— Gisborne Rowing Club v. Uawa Rowing Club: Gisborne went to the front from an even start, anil rowin< r easilv, won by lialf-a-lengtli. The Barrel Race was won by J. Eldcrton; the greasy boom by Ro. Moore; of. yards handicap .swim by W. \V luthelcl; neat header competition by J. Jldderton: and a tug-of-war (Uawa Rowing Club v. visitors) was won by the Uawa Row--lU'Tho visitors were well looked after bv Host Murphy, and all expressed themselves as having spent a most enjoyable holiday. The Uawa Rowing Club showed astonishingly good form in the races. For a club of nine weeks okl to compete so favorably with the older hands is remarkable, especially considering that they have had no coaching to speak of. Next season the Uawa Rowing Chib members shou.d give a very good account of themselves.