ROWING.
Observer, Rōrahi XXXVI, Putanga 7, 23 Whiringa-ā-nuku 1915, Page 10
Mō tēnei niupepa
ROWING.
A false impression is at large con cerning the recent amateur souling race on the Wanganui River between D. Hadfield, of the Waitemata Club, the New Zealand amateur champion, anl A. Sharpe, the Wanganui amateur ©rack. The event had nothing to do with the New Zealand sculling title. It was only a friendly go between two old rivals in championship contests, and arose through Sharpe, who intended enlisting in the expeditionary forces, inviting Hadfield to visit Wanganui and give him what might probably be his last race. He explained that he was in splendil form, as he had been pacemaking Webb during his training for the match against Hannan. Hadfield recognised that although he had defeated "Sharpe three times for the New Zealand championship, he would prove a formidable opponent after such a preparation and Hadfield'
completely out of training 6ince Easter. As a sportsman he accepted the invitation. But this defeat does not affect his title of New Zealand amateur champion. That is only decided at the N.Z.A.R.A. annual championship regatta. This explanation of the contest is only given to correct the idea so prevalent that Hadfield as a trained man was competing for the New 1 Zealand amateur title. The Auckland Rowing Club's temporary home is ready for the boats, which will be transferred this week. The membership has been sadly weakened through enlistments. The members left are hopeful of making the season successfuli Now that Waitemata's boats are back in the boathouse, members will no doubt gather in strong force to make up for the delay in renovating the boats, which were stored during the re-erection of the boatihouse. For the benefit of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund an aquatic carnival is proposed to be held on Cheltenham Beach in a few weeks' time. Programme to include rowing, swimming, yacht and boat races. The rowing events will be conducted on lines similar to those popular A.R.A. galas formerly held at Point Erin Park, each club to row for its own trophies. The grand final trophies will be donated by Mr Pickford, Mayor of Devon port. The proposal deserves the thorough support of all clubs. The annual meeting of the Auckland Rowing Association will be held on the 27th inst. Whangarei Regatta rowing races will probably be revived next New Year's Day. At the annual meeting of the N.Z.A.R.A., held on Saturday at Wellington Mr McVilly presided. In moving the adoption of the annual report, the chairman stated 1 that the total membership was 2338 ? whereof 1005 men bad gone to the front, more than 50 per cent, of those of military age. The assets exceeded liabilities by £93. The election of officers resulted: — President, Mr Riddell (Picton); vice-presidents. Messrs Evans (Wanganui and Farmer (Auckland); secretary and treasurer, Mr Bayfield; council, Messrs McVilly, Partridge, Innes, Lauchlan, Barnes, Menzies and Widdbp; auditor, Mr Fache. It was decided to abandon the annual championship regatta, owing to the absence of so many men. The Canterbury Rowing Club will open the season on the 23rd inst. with a programme of rowing races and competitions for the best decorated boats, the most original crews, and the best darktown crew, all proceeds to go to the Sick and Woundled Soldiers' Fund. The Canterbury Rowing Association's annual meeting will be held on the 27th inst. , Proposals; for deepening the Avon are under consideration, the estimated cost being £130. The City Council, the Drainage Board and the Floral Fete trustees have voted amounts for the scheme. The hon. secretary of the Aramoho Boating Club (Wanganui) for the coming season is J. Pearson. The rowing associations of each State in the Australian Commonwealth have decided to postpone the holding of the inter-State rowing and 1 sculling championships until after the conclusioni of the war. This is the first break in the holding of these annual events since the commencement in 1878.
