Opening of the Rowing Season.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume IV, Issue 516, 9 October 1890, Page 3

Opening of the Rowing Season.

A GRAND TUBN-OIJT, Thsbr was glorious weather yesterday for the formal opening of the rowing season. Those who remember the gale that sprung up last year, and made it doubtful in the morning whether it would be safe to open tbe big bridge, could not help remarking tbe striking contrast yesterday, when beautiful mild summer’s weather prevailed, a pleasant breeze tempering tbe heat. Through the kindness of those in authority the services of the little steamers Snark and Tuna were secured, and the presence of the Garrison Band gave additional life and spirit to the proceedings. A stranger to Gisborne would have wondered what was the matter had he taken a stroll along the bank of ths Turanggnni river shortly before three. Ladies were thronging from all quarters, the stream trending in tbe direction of the wbaif, where the Snark and Tuna were lying. By three o’clock, apart from those who had gone to the whaif, there was a great crowd on the bridge, on' the schooner Awaroa, on the little jetty, and along t|ie river bank. Tbe Tuna was the first to move off from tbe wharf, and the Snark went out to midstream immediately afterwards, Both boats were gaily decked with hunting, and crowded with passengers, the larger proportion being ladies, all wbh happy smiling faces, that betokened their gratification at the great pleasure that was afforded them. Tbe Snark bad the Garrison Band aboard, and ths pretty launch was given the honor of first place in the procession. She was of course io in command of Captain Neil, whose skill in steering wae greatly admired by those who knew the difficulties under which he was laboring. A good deal of his work seemed to be by instinct, for it was really wonderful how he guided the boat up and down th; narrow channel,(and through the bridgeway, his sight obfuscated by an array of parasols and summer bats—articles that are very Useful, but cannot be seen through. However, all went well, and the ladies did not suspect how easily it would have been to have got the little vessel stuck in the mud. Oaptain Kennedy had chqpge of the Tuna and also had his work cut oil', and skilfully handled his vessel, but he had the advantage of being able to see what line she was taking. The procession rqoved off, headed by the Snark, the Tuna being a short distance behind, and the racing boats being in regular order on either side Following them again was Mr Smaill’s launch Fairlight, Mr E. Smith’s paddle boa', an I a large nqmber of pleasure boats. Mr L. Maude was in his pair-oar, and Mr H. Johnston also bad a pairoar, The order in which the racing boats were placed was as follows

01-BORNE CHEW. Bourne (stroke) Sandlant (2) • Clayton (3) Johnstone (bov) POVERTY BAT CBEW. Lee (stroke) Loomb (2) Richardson (3) Adeans (bow) POVERTY BAT CBEW. Nisbet (stroke) Thompson (2) Sawyer (3) Nuking (bpwj ' GISBOBNE CBEW. Green (stroke) O'Meara (2) Chrisp (3.) Adair (bow) OISBOBNE CBEW. Miller (stroke) Somers (2) Hennessy (3) Lewis (bow) GISBORNE CREW, Lunn (stroke) Haughey (2) Simms (3) hfande (bow) The sight was a picturesque one, and there Was something very gratifying in gazing upon the fine lot of young men who were

seated in the boats, the picture of health, and of well developed physique. The Poverty Bay Club was not well represented in numbers, but the quality was there. Some of those who were in the racing boats did not show very good style, and “ crabcatching” was not invisible, but this may be excused on the opening day. The procession went as far as Mr Harris’ bend, and then returned opposite the now famous Kaiti “ esplanade,” where Messrs Crawford and Mann had fixed their photographing apparatus. Two views appeared to have been taken, and then tbe Tuna returned to the wharf, while the Snark steamed on beyond the breakwater pier, some of the boats also venturing out a distance. A return was made in time to see a race between Nisbett’s and Lee’s crews (Poverty Bay Club). This was a splendid contest. Lee had the advantage at the junction of the river; Niabett then shot ahead, but Lee again had a slight lead opposite Childers road. Opposite the hotel Nishett spurted, and after a hard finish won with a lead of two feet to spare. The ceremony eclipses anything of the kind previously witnessed in Gisborne. Counting children there were fully 1500 spectators Most of the vessels in port made a good display of bunting. Mr C. P. Brown also had out his photographiug apparatus.

The following advice by “ Trident ” in tbe Sydney Mail, may have a useful application to four oar races :—“ The secret of steering a long boat such as an eight is to to use the rudder as little as possible. Even the slightest touch of the rudder will either cause the boat to roll or take way oil. It a fin is placed in the proper position, a little aft of the coxswain’s seat, the boat wilt run as straight a course as could be marked out by a ru'.er. The rudder never need be used, except to put the boat on the course after turning a bend. It will take a strain equal to 300 b to pull tbe rudder bard across a boat going full speed, so this will give an idea of the harm an improper use of the yoke-lines can do. In the race of Saturday last Mercantile ran two miles without one touch of the rudder. This I know for the best of reasons.”