Weather conditions were not altogether favourable, since the oarsmen had to contend with a harassing: beam wind from the South-East, Which slowed the boats' progress, wince the general direction was from North to South. The oarsmen were, however, save the heat of the blazing sun, as it was a dull day. At about TI pan. the crews embarked by launch and were transported down river to the starting point at Kajao Creek, the *hoats having been taken down earlier the day. Promptly at 2 pam. the Starter jot the first boat away, stroked by F, W. Schlobohm, and at intervals of five mi patched I. J. Orton and in the order named. opposition, had to be ated, and at several places coxes lid' to resort tw hailing, much water having been shipped. A study of the course had been made by coxes, since it was rightly concluded that much might be gain ce or Jost in making the river ornis, in availing of currents and taking the fullest advantage of the flood tide. The fact that only 3 min. 43 see. separated the fastest and slowest boats over a course approximating nine miles, indication, ver, that the ele ment of chance had little plas in the contest and that what obstacles had to be surmounted were ender alike by the four crews partieipy ing. thereby making the deciding factor the efficiency of the crews. To gain the advantage of the Point Canal, with its attendant shortening of distance, a'l crews save that coxed by R. B. Roach and stroked ty Schlobohm made for the Shanrshore shortly after the start. Roach preferred' the strong stream current and was content to forego the canal in favour of a Tonger course and a stronger current than was enjoyed by his three opponents,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.