ROWING

Press, Volume XCII, Issue 27796, 22 October 1955, Page 11

ROWING

COURSE AT KERRS REACH

IMPROVEMENT SOUGHT BY ASSOCIATION

Disappointment at the result of efforts to Improve the condition of Kerrs Reach was expressed in the annual report of the Canterbury Rowing Association, -presented to the annual meeting. The report- said that removal of the weed whidh hindered both racing and training, had been sought, but little had been done because of a shortage of labour available to the Drainage Board. An offer of voluntary labour had been made and it was hoped ‘that more could be done during the coming season. An approach had also been made to the Christchurch City Council to provide a towpath to enable coaches to have access to their crews during training, and improvements to the banks, particularly in the cut, had been sought.

New interest in secondary schools’ rowing, had been displayed during the last year, the report said. Christ’s College had been successful in a series of races with crews from St. Andrew’s College, Boys’ High School, and Xavier College. It was hoped that still more schools could be interested this season, as it was realised that it was from this source that clubs would draw, future members.

Seven clubs were active during the year. Memberships were: Avon 40, Canterbury 45. Christ’s College 20, Cure 20, SumnerRedcliffs 20, Timaru 32, Union 61.

The balance-sheet showed that expenditure had exceeded nornYal income by £22 17s for the year, but £2olos 6d had been raised for the boat fund and £BB 19s 9d had been gained from the opening day gala. It was intended that this amount should be added to the boat fund. Matters to be discussed at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rowing Association were considered, and it was decided that should further New Zealand selectors be appointed, Canterbury should nominate Messrs W. G. Richards and F. H. Thompson. Two remits will be submitted to the annual meeting of the New Zealand association. The first will provide for a recommendation to associations conducting championship regattas that the eightoared championship be the first event. A second remit provides for the interprovincial eight-oared championship to be held within the first three months of any season. The object of this remit is to eliminate, if possible, the clash between club cretvs training for championships and composite crews training for the interprovincial eight-oared championship. The programme for the New Zealand championships, to be held on the Oreti Estuary, near Invercargill, on February 24 and 25, was received. The following officers Were elected:— Patron, Mr C. A. Stiles; president, Mr W. G. Richards; vice-presidents, Messrs B. R. Walker, F. H. Thompson, S. W. Cox; secretary, Mr W. H. Candy; selectors, Messrs W. G. Richards. F. H. Thompson, S. P. Godfrey; coaches, Messrs F. H. Thompson (chief coach), S. P. Godfrey, W. G. Richards. E. Lindstrom, R. .Sutherland,** and A. Davies.