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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]

Sports

Sports.

The Picton Rowing Club was established in the year 1880, and Messrs A. G. Fell, John Duncan, and Arthur Bartlett were amongst its original members. Mr. Fell has maintained a close association with the club, was for many years its trainer, and is now (1905) its president; and its success is greatly due to his able and untiring efforts. In 1897, the Picton Rowing Club won the champion pairoared race for New Zealand, with Messrs A. R. Smith and C. Fredericks, who, in conjunction with Messrs D. McCormick and F. G. Seymour, won the champion four-oar race for New Zealand in the three succeeding years (Mr. C. Fredericks being stroke-oar on each occasion) at Dunedin, Auckland, and Picton, successively. The Picton Rowing Club has two large storage sheds situated on the Victoria Domain, opposite the public wharf, and its fleet consists of two best-and-best-and two clinker “fours,” two best-and-best and three clinker “pairs,” and two best-and-best single scullers. Meetings are held at the Federal Hotel, and there is a membership of thirtv-five. Officers for the year 1905: President, Mr. A. G. Fell; vice-presidents, Dr. Redman and Captain Harris, and Messrs T. J. Storey, John Duncan, F. A. Oxley, H. Brady; captain, Mr Christopher Fredericks; vice-captain, Mr. Arthur Smith; secretary. Mr. James Godfrey; treasurer, Mr. T. J. Storey.

Mr. Charles Christopher Fredericks was elected Captain of the Picton Rowing Club in the year 1902, and has been a member of the club since 1895. In 1895, he was a member of two successful crews; and in 1896 he took part in six decisive wins; and more recently, at interpro-vincial regattas, he has contributed to successes which are further referred to under the heading of the Picton Rowing Club. Mr. Fredericks was born in Picton on the 8th of February, 1879, and was educated at the local public school. For a few months, he worked in Mr. A. G. Fell's malthouses, afterwards for about a year in the erection of telegraph wires through the country, and since 1903 he has been employed as a waggon driver in the firm of Messrs Jeflries Brothers, of Picton. Mr. Fredericks is a member of the local cricket club, and was for some years a member of the Picton fire brigade and football club.

Mr. Arthur Roger Smith , Vice-Captain of the Picton Rowing Club, joined the club as a member in the year 1896, and for several years was one of its strongest oarsmen. He was born at Picton on the 21st of November, 1874, and is the third son of Mr. G. A. Smith, builder: was educated at the local public school, and learned carpentry under his father, with whom he has since worked. For some years Mr. Smith was a member of the cricket and football clubs, and the local fire brigade. He married Miss Keating, of Blenheim, in the year 1903, and has one son.