ROWING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3189, 7 April 1911, Page 6

ROWING.

LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ SHIELD.

SOME INTERESTING RACING

The annual interclub contest for the handsome shield presented by the Licensed Victuallers’ Association was initiated yesterday, when races were rowed on the Taruheru and Waimata- rivers. A considerable amount, qf,interest was manifested by the public and the hanks of the rivers and, the two bridges were lined with crowds of spectators. The partisans of each club were strongly in evidence, and included a strong contingent from Tologa Bay supporters of the Maori Glub, whose presence lent added interest to the competitions. SENIOR RACE. Distance, 2 miles.

The first event down for decision was the senior . race between the Gisborne and Uaw a Clubs and the crews were as follows: Gisborne: P. H. Hamilton (stroke), H. Tocker (3), P. McConvillc (2), and J. Pollock (bow). Uawa: G. Jolly (stroke), B. Lincoln (3), J. Noa Noa (2), and J. Lockwood (bow). The Uawa crew were out punctually to the starting time —12 lioon —but- it was not until 35 minutes later that the Gisborne men made their appearance. Gisborne were slightly more fancied than their opponents, but as it proved were quite unable to make a race of it with the representatives of the up-coun-try club. The local men got a half a length’s advantage at the start, but Uawa, rowing with a delightfully easy swing, soon drew level and passed their opponents: They had a commanding lead at the Roebuck road bridge, and were never afterwards troubled, winning in most easy, fashion by four lengths. Time, 12min. 58 l-ssecs.

JUNIOR RACE. I>istance, H miles

The junior race was the next on the list, and the contest was between Gisborne and Uawa. The crews were as f ollows:

Gisborne: S'. Coleman (stroke), B. Moore (3). J. L. Winter (2), A. G. Gerrard (bow). Uawa: R. Moore (stroke), J. Thompson (3), H. Kirikiri (2), and C. Boreham (bow). Prom a fairly even start the crews raced together for a time, hut Gisborne gradually drew ahead and at Roebuck road bridge had a lead of a clear length. They remained in the van until the finish, and although pressed by Uawa

at the finish, won fairly easily by lengths. Time, 7min. 58 l-ssecs. TEN-STONE RACE. About 1 mile. The ten-stone race was the next on the programme, and on this occasion the two local clubs were pitted agamst each other. The crews were: Gisborne: J. Curtis (stroke), T. F. Port (3), J. Cramp (2), and J. Pycrott (bow). v Poverty Bay: J. Stuart (stroke), G. Douglas (3), E. Whitfield (2), arid C. Clark (bow). • Gisborne had a slight advantage at the start, and rowing well increased their lead to a length approaching the junction of the rivers. At this point Stuart threw- out- a strong challenge and raced up almost level passing the bridge. The effort, however, was apparently to o much for him, and Cur-, tis, keeping up the same pace, again Forged ahead, eventually winning by a length. Time, 4min. 29secs. YOUTHS’ RACE. Distance, about 1 mile. The race for youths’ crews was the last event of the day, and' as in the case of the ten-stone race, was rowed on the Waimata course. The crews were as follows: — s Poverty Bay: N: Ingram (stroke), H. Williams (3), P. Stubbs <2), and H. Beau (bow). Gisborne: R. Mills (stroke), Geo. Pollock (3). L. Bright <2), and W. Redell (bow). Gisborne were sharp off the start and gained an advantage of quarter of a length, leading to the bend. Poverty Bav here commenced to draw up, and gradually drew level and passed their opponents, until, at the junction of the rivers, they had a lead of a length and a-half. Rowing very steadily and with a good swing, the Poverty Bay boys gradually increased their lead, finally being victorious with three lengths to spare. Time, 4min. 30 l-o secs. The competition for the John Colley Shield (double sculls) will be rowed this afternoon aot <5 p.m. on the Waimata course. The competitors will be the Uawa and Poverty Bay Clubs only, the Gisborne Club being unrepresented. The crews will be as follows : Poverty Bay Club: M. McLeod and J. W. Nicolas.

Uawa Club : B. Lincoln and J. Lockwood. The finals will be rowed to-morrow afternoon in the senior, junior and youths’ races. A most attractive display was made in Mr C. Adair’s window last night, which attracted a great amount of interest. In the centre was displayed the Licensed' Victuallers’ Shield and it was surrounded by a. large number of trophies from each of tile local clubs. The colours of the three contesting clubs were much in evidence, and the whole was surmounted by a pair of oars crossed and decorted with ribbons in the club colours.

POVERTY BAY CLUB’S SOCIAL. In the evening the members of the Poverty Bay Rowing Club tendered a social in honour of the visiting oarsmen, the majority of whom were present and appeared to enjoy themselves thoroughly. The entertainment was -a decided success, between 50 and 60 couples being present. The handsome social hall of the club was tastefully decorated and the floor, which had undergone a special preparation, was in excellent order. Dancing was indulged, in to an early hour this morning. A tasteful supper was provided by the ladies’ committee, while Mrs S. Ledger, junr., supplied capital music, Messrs J. Webb and E. Roclie acting efficiently in the' capacity of M.C'.’s.