The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-04-06
communicated.

The arrival by the Alameds OF three
fac smile shells for the local boat
clubs mark the beginning OF new
era in acquatic sports in the islands.
From the beginning OF boat-rowing to
the present date, the public has been
treated to a series OF disputes, which
were as unnecessary as they were un-
pleasant. The cause of these disagree
ments has always been that either
one club or the other has had better
or worse boat than its adversary, and
the feeling has consequently been that
crews which had taken the trouble
necessary in training for races were
bound to win or lose on account OF
their superior or inferior boat.
Such impediments to true sport can
not hereafter appear, for when crews
come to the starting post in boats
exactly alike they can feel that the
winning of the race will depend on the
crews exertions alone, and the fairness
of the idea must be apparent to all.
The boats were ordered from Aus
tralia because it was found, after a
careful inquiry, that they could be
purchased at a much less cost there.
than elsewhere. w. T. Greenland &
Sons, Melbourne, who executed the
order, are builders of first-class repute
In the Colonies, and their name is
sufficient guarantee that the boats are
we'll built from stem to stern.
1t might be thought by some that
preference has been shown to any one
club here, and to dispel such an idea
ia rty nh sill l.
No. ? and No. 3, and were drawn for
by lot the day before their arrival by
representatives of the three clubs.
The dimensions of the boats are:
LenAth 40 feet, breadth % inches,
depth II inches; and are built of
Spanish cedar, finished with pine.
Being for practice purposes, they are
built some two feet shorter and two
and half inches wider than racing
boats. They are also clinker- built in
order to give more strength and dura-
bility.
The material reduction in the cost of
the boats is feature of no small inn
portance in the change from barge to
she'll rowing. The cost of barges here
tofOre imported varied from $3.50 to
$1,000, whereas the cost of these shells
is in the neighborhOod of 5000, and
that of racing shells about $500 land
ed here.
Now that the clubs have agreed to
unite on the style of boat to be used
in future, and, as they have placed
themselves on more equal footing in
other matters, why do they not unite
in forming q Hawaiian Racing Asso-
citation. The value of such OrganiZa-
tfon cannot he overestimated, for
representing the interests of all it
would be in position to provide for
the equitable management OF all re-
gattas; decide all matters in dispute
between clubs and generally promote
the present and future welfare of
Aquatic sport. Being composed as it
naturally would be of representatives
men, it would meet, calmly discuss
and carefully and finally decide any
question that might arise. It is sur
prisipg that such an important step
has been delayed so long. In all parts
of the world aquatic contests are con-
Quoted amicably under similar ar
rangements, and yet Hawaii, with its
handsome boat houses and scores of
enthusiasts is content to jog along
withoutOne.
The lack of popular amusement here