ROWING NOTES

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 280, 30 March 1889, Page 2

ROWING NOTES

The race between Napier and Poverty Bay which came off on Thursday afternoon, was a splendid contest, the lattsr crew again showing their arrivals the road home. Th* Napier crew bad the advantage until they were passing Derby street, whan th* loeal craw, which had been rowing at a hard though steady pace, stole on their rival*, in dashing style. At th* first boat shed Loe had got hie boat's nose in front; Hutchins, th* Napier stroke, here put on a splendid apart, but Lee's men were more than equal for bin at the finish, and, loudly cheered by the onlookers, the Poverty Bay men made • tremendous effort and passed the flag a length and a half in front of the Napier boat. For style there ia no doubt that the Napier crew can give many pointe to tha Poverty Bay representatives, but in other reepeote the local men can best them, and had tbs latter been able to go in for a fair amount ot steady training there would not have been much doubt about the finish. The Poverty Bay crew were—Leo (stroke), Marshall, Nesbitt, and Gidney.

In the evening, a complimentary dinner was tendered to the Napier crew by the members of the Gi«borne and Poverty Bay Rowing Clubs, in the Masonic Hotel, and as was anticipated, it passed off most successfully. There was • fair attendance and everyone appeared to thoroughly enjoy the evaning'o amusement. There was a capital spread, and one thing very noticeable on the table waaasirloin ot beef on which was inscribed the words “Welcome to the Napier Crew.” Dr. PoUen occupied the chair, During the evening the toasts, as ia usual on such ccoasione, were drunk with muoh enthusiasm, tho most interesting one being " The Visitors,” which was proposed by the Chairman, who made some complimentary remarks with reference to the race that had been rowed that day, and which he considered was the best that had ever been witnessed in Gisborne. With regard to the race with the Gisborne Club he could only say that it was a complete " boil over.” They had of course to make allowance for the crew, who had very little training, and at the tim* were unfit to row a raee.

Mr Hutohena (stroke of the Napier crew) replied in suitable terms. He concluded by saying that the Napier Club had also a great difficulty in getting a crew together, but when they arrived in Gisborne they were well aware that it was a sure win for them with the Gisborne Club.

Mr Guy proposed the health of the Poverty Bay Club, which was responded to by the stroke of that crew. Mr Hutchins proposed the toast of the Gisborne crew.

During the evening songs wore sung by Messrs Hughes, Woodward, Guy, Langford, Haughey, and Hutchins. Mr Airey presided at tho piano.

George Bubear and George Norvell, a North-countryman, rowed half a mile on the Tyne on January 5 for £4O. Great interest was taken in the match, and there were large crowds on the quays, bridges, and wharves, whilst two steamers carried fairly good freights. The betting was 2 to 1 on Norvell. Bubear won the toss for choice of sides, but he started badly, and Norvell at once drew to the front, and won, apparently easily, by a length. It will be remembered that a cable messsge received recently, elated that these men had rowed a very close race on the Tyne, Bubear winning by half a length. This match was probably the outcome of the first race between the men, when Bubear stated he was out of condition, and offered to make a match ever the Tyne. championship course, for £5O aside, NorvelU to be allowed lOsec start.