Opening of the Rowing Season.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume V, Issue 672, 15 October 1891, Page 2

Opening of the Rowing Season.

The increasing popularity in Gisborne of that grand atheletic exercise, rowing, was shown yesterday by a half-holiday being declared for the opening of the season. Of course the modesty of the Clubs in the pastno doubt had something to do with previous occasions not being celebrated by a half-holiday—a thing has to be suggested before it can be practically effected. On this occasion, however, the leading citizens showed readiness in co-operating to make the opening of the rowing season a greater success than ever by declaring a halfholiday in honor of the event. One pleasing fact this season in connection with rowing matters is that the two senior Clubs are working together in the most friendly manner. It is recognised that a spirit of emulation should only be productive of good fellowship, and not I lead to unpleasantness of any kind. Gisborne is quite large enough, endowed as it is with such fine rivers, to support two good senior Clubs, whose friendly rivalry should give additional vigor to each other. The shops all closed at i yesterday afternoon, and the townspeople and country friends present kept up the holiday. THE PROCESSION started from the wharf at 2.45. The weather was splendid for the occasion. A few dark clouds overcast the sky, but they were rather an advantage than otherwise, making the use of parasols little required for giving protection from the sun’s rays. This trifling fact is of some little importance when the working of the launches in the river is considered. The Snark (Captain Neil) and Tuna (Captain Draper) were crowded with onlookers who had been invited by the Clubs ; there was a large crowd on the bridge, and many sightseers took up positions along the river banks. The sight far surpassed anything of the kind previously known in Gisborne. The Snark, with an open boat in tow, led off the procession, having on bohrd the City Band, which greatly enlivened the proceedings with its supply of music. The order of the race boats was : — FOURS. Miller Richardson Somsrs Martin G. Johnstone Lislie Adair Hatting Greene Lse Sandlant Sawyer McLean Sweet E, Matthews Brosnahan O. Sandlant E. Corisp W. Nisbett Cosgrove Haughey L Bees P. Matthews | A. L. Muir Lunn I Hennessy Parker I C. Lewie 1 W. H. Ohrisp ] Robinson G. Bull I Hop* i SISCLE SCULM. 1 Clayton I Walters I Simms | Thomson 1 Dooms Sculls. F. Muir I E. Lewis , McKee I H. Evans Povbbtv Bar PLBAsuaa Boat. > Fox I Morrison J. Thomson | A. Lewis > TusANQAsnr Club. I Morell I P. Reid ! F. Miller | Hendersgn 1 S. Johnston I Colebrook ' H. Sandlant | Smith > Several Canoes. ’ The launch Tuna took np a position in the ! rear, and many pleasure boats joined in the 5 procession, among which were principally ■ noticed Mr Prichard’s yacht Red Jacket and Mr DeGosta’s Maseotte (with Union Jack flying), Mr Dunlop’s, Mr Muir's, Mr Warren’s and other pleasure boats. The procession went as far as the bead above Mr Harris' residence. On returning to the junction of the rivers four of the Gisborne boats were christened—Waikohu, Te Aral, Waipaoa, and Pouawa—by Irene Harding and Monty Dougherty. As the bottle of champagne was broken in each case the Bind struck up a bar of Bule Rrittania. Mr Robb and another photographer took views of thegronp, after which a return was made to the wharf. Cheers were heartily given for Messrs Dougherty and Sunderland, and also for little Dougherty and little Harding. A number of races were then pulled off, but the majority of the people had left the wharf, not being aware of the races. Three events were pulled off, the strokes ef the winning crews being Sandlant, Lee, and Morell.

Three heats of the Gisborne Club's tria fours are to be rowed off this afternoon, as follows: — FtBST HEAT. Luan, str. j Clayton, str. W. Chrisp P. Muir Parker | Somers Bull | Ambridge SECOND HEAT. Hennessy, str. Johnstone, str. C. Lewis E. Sandlant Bobinson Morrison Hope Evans THIRD «BAf. Simms, str. | E. Chrisp, str. Adair I Cosgrove E. Matthews | L. Rees P. Matthews | A. L. Muir The bye was drawn by Sandlant, str,, W Nisbett, Wilkinson, .'agd Haqgu«y. it is expected that the final will be rowed cff fin Monday.