Sub-Committee {i Burrows, Esq. A. Vertex,
Rowr. Mackenzie, Esq.
Fust Day, Monday, 18th October, 1880.
The members of the Shanghai Rowing Club are to be congratulated on the success which attended the opening day of the Autumn Regatta. With good sport in store for their patrons, everything tended towards the thorough enjoyment of the oceasion—the weather was delightful—a bright sunshiny autumn day—the attendance of spectators was larger than the Father of the Club ever remembers to have seen at any previous Regatta, and for their convenience and comfort Mr. Miller threw open his house and grounds on the bank of the Creek, while, for their amusement, the Committee, through the kindness of Admiral Duperré, wore fortunate enough to secure the splendid band of the French flagship Themis. The gathering of ladies and gentlemen here, formed, as it were, a large garden party, and there was an entire absence of the tameness which is supposed to characterise regattas for those who take no more than a casual interest in boating. But it was at the Boat-house where the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. Here a large crowd of spectators assembled, and warmth, jollity and good humour reigned supreme in discussing the merits and demerits and achievements of the various crews. The Mound was another great coign of vantage, which was availed of mainly by the natives, who mustered here in strong force, while on the road higher up the river they gave the Creek the veritable blue fringe, so often referred to in descriptions of the Race Course at the spring and antum meetin The Boating Club has an unenviable reputation regarding punctuality, and in keeping with it, the first event, the men-of-war's oats race, which was to have taken place at 1.30 p.m., did not start till a few minutes after two o'clock, which disarranged the time for all the other events on the programme. Three men-of-war's boats put in an appearance, but, as usual, owing to the difference in the build of the boats, it was a one-sided contest; a light flat-bottomed cutter from the Spanish corvette Doia Maria de Molina, though handicapped twenty seconds, ran away from two heavier boats—one from the same vessel and the other from H.M.'s corvette Pegasus—and won by more than a dozen lengths.
The race between the Scotch and German eights, which is always the most important event of the Regatta, was down on the programme for 2 o'clock, but as we have just stated it was after that hour before the boats started in the first race.
The delay, however, was not the fault of the management, but owing to the unsuit ability of the tide, which did not turn until nearly three o'clock. It was past this hour when the Scotch and Germans made their appearance on the water, but the time of waiting was not wearisome. Betting was rife, Scotchmen and Germans were proud of their representatives, while Englishmen for once ina while were altogether out of consideration. When the tide did suit for the great event of the day to be decided, it was a capital race for three-quarters of the distance, when the Germans, who had had a slight lead from the start, took their opponent's water, increased their lead, and won leisurely by three lengths, A feature of the race is that it is the first of the kind that has been rowed in tub eights, with sliding seats, whereas racing cutters with fixed seats were previously used. But the greatest feature of all is that it is the first time the Germans have mustered a crew of eight, and their success, which was well-earned and ungrudgingly acknowledged, is expected to result in the aequi tion of several new members to the Club, 'The race for the Griffins' Plate was well contested, the "Kittens" winning by couple of lengths; but the much coveted trophy, the Ladies' Purse, was obtained easily by Mr. J. F. Cheetham, who was never pressed throughout the race. The winner, accompanied by some of the members of the Committee, proceeded to Mr. Miller's residence to receive the prize from Miss Pickwoad, who had been invited by the Committee to perform the ceremony of presenting it, Addressing Mr, Cheetham, Miss Pickwond said she had much pleasure in making the presentation on behalf of the Indies of Shanghai, She was sure all the ladies present had followed the race with great interest, had admired his (Mr, Cheetham's) rowing, and rejoiced at his success. (Applause.) Mr. Cheetham, in receiving the prize, thanked the ladies for the interest they evinced in boating by presenting a purse year after year to be competed for. Their presence at the regattas, and their generosity, stimulated the members of the Rowing Glub, and so long as they obtained the support and good wishes of the ladies they wore more than satisfied. In concluding, he regretted that Mr. J. Hall was unable to compete against him, owing to the severe race he had pulled in the International eights.
The challenge eight-oar race was considered a moral for the Merchants, but the Bankers proved more formidable opponents than it was expected they would do, and only lost by a couple of lengths.
There were three other events in the programme, but owing to darkness closing in, only one other event was rowed, the doubling-sculling race—James Hall and Hunter against T. Brown and 0, Meuser.
Tt proved to be the best race of the day, resulting in a dead heat, which is to be rowed off to-day.
Subjoined is the return of the various events Mes-or-Wan's Boats Race.—Cutters, No entrance fee. First boat, $16; second, $5. No second prize unless three start, Dis'ance, 14 miles. Entries close at the HBAS, Pegaaee 221000 Blue 3 The boat carrying the Red and White flag was a smaller one than cither of her competitors, and flat bottomed, As it was
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.