ROWING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 74, 29 March 1938, Page 16

ROWING.

ALL CLUBS ACTIVE.

WEST END MEMORIAL.

PROVINCIAL AND N.Z. CHAMPION SHIPS COMPLETE THE SEASON.

The busiest afternoon of the season in rowing circles was experienced last Saturday, when the seven clubs of the harbour

were engaged in trial racing of various types. West Km], Auckland. St. George's, Iniversity and North Shore rowed fours, Waiteniat.i double sculls, and the Jubilee Club pair oars. In each ease the

entries were fully up to expectations while the racing left little to be desired.

Although the unveiling of the John Clark memorial tablet directly concerned the \\ i>t I'.nd Club, the ceremony was of importance to all oarsmen throughout the Auckland province. Never in any boathouse ill Auckland has such a representative attendance of oarsmen and leading citizens assembled. It was a striking tribute of how the late Mr. John Clark had endeared himself to all. The tablet is the work of three West Knders. It was designed by Mr. L. M. Taylor, a former secretary, the woodwork liy Mr. F. N'eary. e.\-dcputy captain, and photography by Mr. Alan Wakey, ox-captain.

The old membei's were in exceptionally strong force: to look at some it was hard to believe the part they had played in the club's history, but a glance at the photographic records (this was one of the late John Clark's suggestions] told it only too truly.

The West End club's racing was for a set of trophies donated by Mr. A. C. Noiden, president, and attracted the entries of seven crews. I liree heats and a final provided exceptionally close racinn. and as the veteran judges Messrs. A. M. Wilson and .1. A. McKenzie tiite members I jftcrwards remarked: "The finishes wei e the best for a long time, and demanded our closest attention." The final, won by T. McDonald's four with only a canvas to spare, was a great race for the whole journey.

A\ here old members' races are included it generally pi oves difficult to get crews afloat, but probably the importance of the occasion cast a different aspect last Saturday. Four crews of eights were afloat, and in the two heats rowed the oldtimers—some were in an eight for the first time -showed only too well they had not lorgotten the lessons of their youth.

The University Club's fours were for a special set. of trophies, and attracted four entries. The racing provided close finishes, the linst heat being ivou by a throe-feet margin, the second by half a length. while in the final Moicktoit increased his winning record, defeating Henderson by half a length. The Oliver-Scott Cup enabled the maiden oatwmru of St. (icorge's to decide the annua! set of fours. ( lose racing marked the contests that resulted in Milliard's four winnirir tho trophy by a margin of half a length. The annual double sculls trials for the Foreman Cup claimed the attention of seven crews in the Waitemata Moating Club, dones and Bellringer. after three hard races, gained the day's honours, defeating Conway and McGechie by threequarters of a length. Provincial Championships. If tile weather and course conditions favour oarsmen next Saturday visitor to the Tamaki Drive course will witness six splendid races that complete the Auckland Kowin Association's provincial championships. Despite the fact that several crews have had successive wins this season on this course, there is nothing to warrant their being regarded as <-ei laint ics. At Xgaruawaliia the St. George's youths uiwet all calculations, but it Taurangu come up, and with Auckland and Mercer, the result is very open. The open maiden eights should go to Waitemata, but the junior fours can be expected to have the spectators on their toes. It Waitemata can reproduce the form shown at Xgaruawaliia the Xgaruawaliia crew can look to have its record tarnished. Then there is Mercer to be considered, but it would be too much to expect any of the other crews to spring a surprise. This race is to be rowed in clinker boats, and these conditions may contribute to a change. The maiden fours, open, will lie the big race and Waitemata must start firm favourites. The event carries the Dewar Shield, but only too often in bygone yeais the favourite has come a crash. Only last year oil the same course Auckland's chances were as bright as Waitcmata's look this season, but second place was the best Auckland could do. Will the "hoodoo"' rest upon Waitemata this time? Auckland, University and Xgaruawaliia should keep Waitemata busy over the full course. Waitemata will start favourites in the light maiden fours for the .John Clark Shield, and can expect a hard race if Tauranga and Xgaruawaliia start. Auckland, who failed so badly at Xgaruawaliia. should on this course play a more important part. This crew is capable of better performances than it has given upon the last two occasions. Mew Zealand Championships. Throughout the Dominion the various crews that will compete in the Xew land championship on the A\ anganui River on Easter Saturday are down to Solid training, and everything indicates that not only the championship, but all the class events will provide the best racing seen at the national gala for many years.

Some idea of the Union Boat Club's keen interest is shown by the selection of 14 crews in the 13 races. A. K. ('. .Tackson is not only centring on the single sculls, but will contest the double sculls with O. Corby, soli of Duncan Colby, a

member of the first 1 nion ciew to win the championship fours.

Everything points to r ecord entries that should be representative of the Dominion. The Wanganuites are certainly in for a feast of rowing that will conclude with the interprovincial eights on T.astor Monday.