ROWING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2609, 17 September 1909, Page 6

ROWING.

OPENING OF THE SEASON

It has been definitely decided that the opening of the rowing season shall take place on Thursday, September 30. At a meeting held last night, arrangements were made and a programme drawn up for the day. The programme is an attractive one, comprising interclub, married v. single, veterans’, and challenge rowing events, while a new departure will be a race for motor launches. An interesting ceremony will be the christening ceremony of the Gisborne Rowing Club’s new boats, by Mrs. A. F. Kennedy, the wife of the popular president of the club; but the tit-bit of the afternoon will- undoubtedly be the appearance of “Dick” Axnst, the world’s champion sculler, who will give an exhibition. Arnst arrives from Auckland on 29th September,, and Gisborne people must he accounted fortunate indeed in having had, within two years, the opportunity of seeing two of the world’s best scullers, William Webb and Richard Arnst. Given a fine day pn September 30th, nothing else is required to ensure that the opening of the 1909-10 rowing season will be a complete success, and a function that will give a still further impetus to a rapidly growing, clean and healthy sport. The following officials have been appointed for the day : —Marshals Messrs L. B. Sherriff and C. Adair; judges— Messrs A. F. Kennedy and E. P. Joyce; starter,- Mr. W. Haekett; handicapper (motor launch race), Captain Sewell ; committee —Messrs J. Webb, A. Kirk, S. Ledger, A. McConnell, J. Stuart (P.8.R.C.), and C. J. Hamilton, D. Cowan, E. Swinnerton, G. Rowe, and C. Sargisson (G.R.C.). The proceedings open with a procession, which will start at 2.30 p.in. from the boatsheds. The following is the order of the procession : —Band (in the 'Harbor Board launch); officials and private launches; four-oared boats (8); double sculls (4); single sculls (5); private boats. All the boats will assemble at the boatsheds and proceed, in single file, to the wharf, afterwards returning, in double file, to Harris’ bend, and from there to the rotunda. Here the season will be declared open by His Worship the Mayor (Mr. W. D. Lysnar), and the ceremony of christening the Gisborne Club’s new boats will he performed by Mrs. A. F. Kennedy. Seven boats will be christened. The four-eared boats will be named “Taiuberu” and “Waimata” ; the double sculls “Waimoko” and “Pouawa”; and the single sculls “Te Aral” “Waipaoa,” and “Waiapu.” The following races will be rowed during the afternoon: —Inter-club fours f inter-club double sculls ; veterans’ fours (Gisborne Club); married v. single (Poverty Bay Club); motor launch handicap, starting from the rotunda, out into the hay, round the black buoy, and hack again; challenge fours, “The Oaks” v. “C.S. and Go. In addition to the local oarsmen, it is probable that some outside rowers will be present. The Wairoa and Uawa (Tologa) Clubs have been communicated with,"and the latter body has signified its intention to send down a couple of crews if at all possible. It has been definitely decided to hold the Gisborne Rowing Club’s “smoko” in the Cosmopolitan Club on the evening of Wednesday, September-29th, the day before the opening ceremony. It is probable that the function will be attended by the world’s champion, and an attractive programme has been arranged for the evening’s entertainment.