ROWING CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 238, 7 October 1940, Page 9

ROWING CRISIS.

DISCUSSION BY DELEGATES.

"Rowing has reached a crisis in Auckland," said Sir Ernest Davis at the annual •meeting of the Auckland Association' 6n Saturday night. - He stressed the necessity of appealing to all old members to rally ■to the aid of tlhe clubs after a discussion I'by the various delegates on. the boathouse sites and harbour joowrees.

"The sport ot rowing has suffered severely as the result of the club member*' enlistments Into the services of the Navy, Army and Air Force, and we owe a duty to members .to maintain . the clubs and sport until their return. It is a Job we must get on with, sparine no effort 'to" puU together with all our strength. The young lads coming on must also be considered, and the 'good, clean, healthy sport provided them. The position la indeed a very serious one " aald Sir Ernest.

Mr. C. O. Herdman, cnalrman of the outgoing management executive, in suggesting a policy for the incoming executive, mentioned that where possible all class races be carried - oo at the regattas. Zf it was not possible for . fuU class events, non-class events that would not affect the status of any man should be Introduced. All club® on the harbour should also combine and hold mixed trials. By this method the stronger clubs would be assisting the weaker ones, thus giving enjoyment in racing - that some -.members would be otherwise debarred from. Mr. Herdman assured Sir Ernest that it was the association's determination to carry on with the sport, despite the difficult position to be faced.

When it is considered, stated Mr. H. Spoor (Waitemata) that two clubs have only four members ieft, and one of these clubs has given enough members to provide nearly two squadrons lor the Air Force, the claims ot. the sport that can provide such men are worthy ot the highest consideration by all sect ions of the community. Disappointment was expressed by Mr. C. G. Herdman that the Auckland Harbour Board could not see Its way clear to grant sites for rowing clubs, apart from those the board wit lied to build itself. Ho club's ordinary finances would permit it to have erected a boathouse with a rental running into tfxrat £200 per annum. In other, parts of ■ Haw Zealand, and also in Australia. handsome boathouses have .been eraeted for £1500 to £2000, and he did not see that it was beyond some' of our local clubs (by calling on old members) to put up such boathouses that would suit their requirements. He was in entire agreement' with the Auckland Harbour Board that the beautiful harbour should hot be disfigured with unsightly buildings, and he had inspected many boathouses in Australia with a view to offering I suggestions to local clubs as all recognised building I programmes were ahead. It was an impossibility especially in view of war conditions for any club to enter into heavy rent commitments, whereas a drive to all old members and supporters, and the holding of various functions, would soon wipe oil the principal amount and leave merely a nominal ground rental. These views all the delegates concurred with, and a motion was carried that the new executive act accordingly. . The report already published in the Auckland Star" was adopted. The election of officers resulted:—President. Sir Ernest Davis (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs. D. Hadfleid, C. H. Kolloway, A. C. Norden. B. R. Robertson (re-elected); executive committee. Messrs. C. G. Herdman, W. L. Carr. J. C. Aitken. R. G. Barker. H. T. Jellie. C. C. earns. G. Oxspring, E. Hoiham. D. G. Stotter: secretary, E. W. Henderson: treasurer. J. P. Hooper: auditor, iJ. C. Gulliver; solicitor. L. Phillips; delegates to N.Z.A.R.A., Messrs. D. R. Menzles, L. JS. aiooHti. C. G. Herdman.

At a meeting of the .new executive committee, Mr. C. G. Herdman was elected chairman. It was decided to start the season's meetings on October 17. The annual meeting ot the N.Z.A.R.A. will be held in Wellington on October 22.