AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 28, 1 February 1913, Page 16

AQUATICS.

ROWING.

The question of the amateur status of New Zealand oarsmen in relation to the oarsmen of Australia is one that has been occupying the attention of prominent rowing officials in the Commonwealth and in the Dominion for some time past. It is fitting that we in Auckland should take an intelligent interest in this very important aspect of our pastime, and should contribute a proper share of the information that must necessarily be collected before the New eZaland Rowing Council can possibly suggest a common basis upon which Australian and New Zealand oarsmen may meet in friendly rivalry. In New Zealand, oarsmen regard themselves, and they are similarly regarded by the followers of other sports, as lilywhite amateurs. Very jealously, too, do they guard this claim, and any breach of the New Zealand amateur definition is punished with the utmost severity, and even with harshness. We do not interfere with the other sports and pastimes, but we mind our own business with rigid regard to the standard we have set up. A man is regarded as an oarsman alone, and we see to it that he follows the sport according to our idea of what is right and proper for an oarsman. If he happens also to indulge in running, or cycling, or cricket, that is his own affair, and concerns only himself and the governing authorities of those sports.

Now, they don't look at it quite in the same way in Australia. The difference may, perhaps, best be discussed byconsidering first the point of view of the writer of the folio-wing reference to us in an Australian paper: —"Hitherto New Zealand oarsmen have been debarred from rowing in Australia, tbe question of the amateur status having proved the stumbling block. In New Zealand, professionals in other branches of sport can row as amateur oarsmen, besides which they have been in the custom of rowing for money. Of course, the rowing for money part of their methods is easily explained. Travelling in New Zealand is very different to what it is in Australia, and there is so much expense attached to it that clubs wrin money prizes to pay expenses. The oarsmen do not handle the money, but still the fact that they row for it transgresses the spirit and the letter of the Australian definition."

The above statement shows pretty clearly just how the Australian regards New Zealand rowing from the administrative point of view. He objects to us for two reasons—first, t*cause we allow professionals in other 'branches of sport to row as amateur oarsmen; and, second, because we row for money prizes. Therefore, he won't allow his oarsmen to play with us, because (he says) no professional athletes of any ki-nd are to be found among the oarsmen he deals with, and because (he says) his oarsmen don't row for money prizes. It is interesting to note just here that it is not impossible for a Xew Zealand oarsman to be supplied with an attractive billet in Sydney in order that his services may be available for a Sydney rowing club. Does that kind of thing not "transgress the spirit of the Australian definition." or are the Australians eo/rtplacent folk, who strain at a gnat and swallow a camel? That, however, is another story.

The Australian admits that New Zealand oarsmen do not handle the money they win in regatta prizes, but, he ar»ues, "the fact that they row for it transgresses the spirit and the letter of the Australian definition." His contention is not sound. Our practice of rowing for money prizes may transgress the letter of an amateur definition, hut, in point of fact, it does not transgress 'the spirit" of any amateur ideal. It is incorrect for the Australian to assume so hastily that "the rowing for money part of our methods" ia "easily explained" by the expense of travelling in New Zealand. ln Auckland, and in other rowing centres, oarsmen never receive the value of a brass tack for travelling expenses. The men travel, when travelling is necessary, entirely at their own expense.

What, then, is the position? Our New Zealand clubs are not in the fortunate position of having wealthy patrons who will maintain the club and the plant as a hobby. We have to pay our own way. Every penny of prize money won by successful regatta crews goes into the club funds, and is expended—what for? To maintain the existing plant and to purchase new plant for the benefit of the majority erf the club members, who never a-each regatta standard, but who are 1 thus enabled to indulge in the pleasures find benefits of outrigger rowing. This _f certainly rowing for money prizes, but to say that the man who wins the money for his club, to be expended for the benefit of his club-mates, is not an amateur in an admirable sense of the word, is to abuse the term. Such prizes as may occasionally be given to individuals aretangible trophies, engraved with the winner's name, and of such a character as to meet with the approval of the most conscientious amateur. Many successful oarsmen have only a certificate to show as a record of their rowing powers; some have not even .that. The New Zealand definition of an amateur oarsman may be different from some other definitions, but no one can contend that it fails to preserve the genuine amateur spirit. — SWIMMXNG. During the past three years the Ponsonby Swimming Club has made a distinct departure from -he usual curricnlum of swimming races by the promoting of an acToes the harbour race. iLong distance swimming is usually a too mulsh neglected department, owing doubtless to tibe tncrable necessitated in making arrangements, but tbe Ponsonby Club have overcome these difficulties-, and their races are one of the features of the year in ew_rn_ai_g draleej, and it is a pity other chihs do nolt also cater for fchis class of event, which brings out the best qualities of the swimmer. The entries are not restricted to members of the Ponsonby Club, hut it is open to members of any recognised swimming club, and is one of the most largely contested races of the year. The race this season, which is for the Wai Wai Shield, will be heM on Satuiday, February 15, at high tide. The course arranged is from Northcote to Shelly Beach, a distance of about li miles.