ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 264, 7 November 1928, Page 15

ROWING.

N.Z.R.A. DECISIONS

AUCKLAND DISREGARDED.

WANGANUI SCULLER FOR SYDNEY

Respecting the decisions at the New Zealand Rowing Association's annual meeting, with respect to championship regatta, and the eight-oared race, our Wanganui correspondent writes:—

It came as a surprise to rowing enthusiasts in Wanganui to learn that the New Zealand Association had again allotted the eight-oared championship race to Wellington. It was thought here Auckland would get the race, in view of the fact that Mr. Hallyburton Johnstone. of that city, had so generously donated a gold cup valued at 250 guineas to be competed for annually by eights.

Mr. Johnstone expressed the wish that the first race be rowed at Auckland, but Wellington was chosen as the venue of the race. It was taken for granted that Auckland would get the second race, but, once again, the oracle was worked iu favour of Wellington.

It is now no secret that some of the delegates were taken by surprise at the annual meeting of the association. Wellington had applied for the championship regatta, also Marlborough, and it was thought the former meant to make a big tight for it. However, when put to the vote, Wellington delegates supported Marlborough's application, and, in return, secured enough support to get the eight-oared race again. Failing Auckland, Christchurch certainly had a better right to the race than Wellington, seeing that a Canterbury crew hold the cup.

It is known that some of the delegates, who favoured Auckland's claim were caught on the hop by the tactics of the Wellington delegates. The opinion here i 3 that Auckland has not been fairly treated, though, of course, Wellington is more central. It is a matter for regret that the association could not see its way clear to send an eight to Sydney for the New South Wales championship regatta, owing to the lack of funds. Sydney rowing enthusiasts were very keen to have another visit from Xew Zealand eights, and were looking forward to a great race Vetwecn them and the Mosman crew, the winners of the eights at Henley-on-Yarra. In 1925 the All Black eight, stroked by Clarrie Healey, went across, and scored an easy win from Mosman in the final. The Dominion will be represented in sculls at Sydney in December by A. K. Jackson, who is in steady training, and should be very fit when he meets H. R. Pearce, the Olympic champion.