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 start until its final termination, and his decision in all cases shall be final and without appeal.

17. Any competitor refusing to abide by the decision or to follow the directions of the umpire shall be disqualified.

18. The umpire, if he thinks proper, may reserve his decision, provided that in every case such decision be given on the day of the race.

The ‘rule of the road’ on the river is not settled quite as hard and fast as on land, or in marine navigation ; but certain general principles are recognised by all rowing men of experi- ence, for the sake of mutual safety. The following draft of the recognised principles referred to is set forth by the editor of the ‘Rowing Almanack,’ and other authorities, to whom rowing men are much indebted for the publication,

In case of any ‘running-down’ action, arising out of a collision between pleasure-boats on the ‘Thames, it would probably go hardly with the occupants of a boat which had’ brought about an accident by disregard of these ‘rules of the road,’

The following are the generally recognised rules adopted by the leading rowing clubs:—

1. A row-boat going against the stream or tide should take the shore or bank—which bank is immaterial—and should keep inside all boats meeting it.

2. A row-boat going with stream or tide should take a course in mid-river, and should keep outside all boats meeting it.

3. A row-boat overtaking another boat proceeding in the same direction should keep clear of the boat it overtakes, which should maintain its course.

4. A row-boat meeting another end-on in still or open waters, or lakes, should keep to the right as in walking, leaving the boat passed on the port or left side.

5. A row-boat with a coxswain should give way to a boat without a coxswain, subject to the foregoing rules, in so far as they apply.

6. A boat towing with stream or tide should give way to a boat towing against it, and if it becomes necessary to unship or drop a