ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 79, 3 April 1928, Page 16

ROWING.

A.R.A. CHAMPIONSHIPS. CONCLUDING STAGES OF SEASON. With a programme of provincial championships offered it was only natural to expect a good response from the city clubs, and a slight hope that the country clubs would be represented. Such, however, was not the case last Saturday, when the remaining championships of the Auckland Rowing Association were decided. To say the least, the afternoon's Junction from a rowing point of view was very disappointing. Only four of the five city ciubs were represented, no country clubs were present, and three crews comprised the largest entry. West End was a noticeable absentee,"for this club devoted the afternoon to one of its own functions. If the governing body is holding a regatta it must surely take precedence. Perhaps several excuses may be advanced to contribute towards Saturday's failings, but even under the circumstances they cannot be justified. Firstly, the season is drawing to a close and men feel they have had a lot of racing. Secondly, club programmes must be completed by the end of the month. Thirdly, the tidal conditions have not been very suitable for some clubs this season. Whatever excuse may be advanced cannot be upheld, for all should have been properly considered when the club delegates met at the beginning of the season and drew up the programme. Ideal conditions prevailed for the racing last Saturday, but in the majority of cases the rowing was of a poor standard. With some crews it was a case of "slog it in" to get to the winning line first. b

With the number of aspirants to sculling in the harbour, something was amiss to lind only three competitors face the starter for the Marshall Cup. A West End entry was offering, but was debarred by the club.

The St. George's maiden double scullers, V. Hargreaves and M. Simons, put up a Ane performance. Winning their own class event, that kept their record intact for the season, they contested the junior double sculls, and added flesh laurels in no uncertain manner.

The maiden pair oars went to Waiteinnta, while North Shore (rowing a substitute) annexed the junior event? Hopes of seeing a good go between Waitemata and St. George's in the seniors proved a wash-out, as the blue and golds had a paddle on their own, owing to one of the St. George's arriving too late. WEST END'S TRIALS.

At St. Mary's Bay it was President's Day for the West End members, who entertained their friends with an "At Home" and several rowing races. The chief attraction was the trial fours for the trophies donated by Captain H. H. Sergeant, club president., Powing over the long course three good races resulted, the final being stroked by the club captain, O. Felton.

Coxswains races have been very popular with the West Enders, and two crews stroked by G. Dowling and F. Orrel resulted in the best race the boys have yet given. The boys who so often sit with the strings and do a freeze gave a fine display of rowing. A coxswain's crew also met an "old-timers'" four, and went under by a length. The "years," however, have not worn too long on three of the "ancients."

BARRETT CUP. The West End Club (holders) have decided to row the Barrett Cup on Saturday week, April 14. Each of the competing clubs will row a set of trial fours over the West End Club's course, and the winners of each final will meet for the Barrett Cup. MASON NON-CLASS FOURS. One more association trophy remains, the Mason non-class fours. No date has yet been arranged for the race. CLUBHOUSE GOSSIP.

Generally considered that the Auckland University crew will have to adopt a lively stroke for the race in Wellington. Recent races in the South indicated that form was not considered too much.

The Tauranga Club completed a most successful season with a set of trial fours last Saturday. The Whangarei Club held a sculling race on Saturday. The season is just about completed. Quite a number of crews disregarded the rules on Saturday by rowing over the course during the progress of a race. Considerable surprise has been expressed with the probable .Olympic crew selected. The judge found the "wait" between races somewhat irksome on Saturday; what must it have been for the few spectators ? The official verdict in the single sculls handicap would be interesting. The North Shore Club's picnic to Pine Island proved a decided success. May the ladies' committee achieve their object. The manner in which the Shoreites have raised funds for new boats should prove useful to other clubs. A lot of pleasure rowing should be indulged in during the Easter holidays. Several crews intend long picnic rows. The association should consider ways and means of raising funds during the rules on Saturday by rowing over the winter for its regatta next season. Full co-operation by the clubs would produce a substantial fund.