Generous Gift To Rowers

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30055, 13 February 1963, Page 15

Generous Gift To Rowers

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Feb. 12.

In a munificent gesture towards New Zealand rowing. Mr W. A. Stevenson, of Howick, has offered to underwrite the cost of a permanent building at Lake Karapiro for the use of oarsmen training or racing on the lake. The gift, which is to be a trust for the physical and educational welfare of oarsmen, particularly in the Auckland province, will take the form of a building 60ft by 20ft. which will overlook the lake to the rear of the premises occupied by the Cambridge Yacht Club. The building will have two mam rooms, the larger of which will serve as a com-

bination of lecture hall and dining room. The second room will be a kitchen.

French doors along the building will open out on a terrace which is to be constructed to provide a view of the 2000-metre course on which the forthcoming national championships will be rowed. Though no sign of a building is yet to be seen on the property, all will be in readiness for the oarsmen who assemble for the championships during the weekend of February 23-24. The prefabricated building is to be erected a few days

before and the main essentials will be completed within a few hours.

The naming of the trust is still under discussion. It is expected thait the board of trustees will soon be announced.

Mr Stevenson, who among other offices is Mayor of Howick, was the champion sculler of New Zealand on several occasions during the 1920’s and a few years ago his son, J. K. Stevenson, also won this distinction.

As a life-long enthusiast for the sport, Mr Stevenson has made many gifts to rowing.