New Eight, But No Oars To Row It

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30284, 9 November 1963, Page 14

New Eight, But No Oars To Row It

The Canterbury Rowing Association has a new eight and no oars with which to row it The association had to pay a deposit of £l4l to the Customs Department before it could take delivery of its new provincial boat Canterbury.

The department has kept a strangle grip on the money which has been refundable since last July, said the Secretary (Mr R. J. Shaw). The association is not feeling at aU happy over the situation. Without the money it cannot afford a set of 10 new blades, worth about £l3O. This in turn is likely to lead to a hold up in getting the provincial training squad scheme in motion. “We just can’t break through Government red tape to get our money back.’’ said Mr J. Shaw, at a meeting of the association. Olympic Grant The association considered that the £BOOO grant asked by the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association from the Government to finance the New Zealand rowing team to Tokyo a totally inadequate amount. On the motion of Mr W. Richards, a vice-president, members agreed to ask the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Council to discuss the matter with the Games association.

It was felt that the £BOOO would only cover the cost of a 10-man team in the top category Based on the results of the Empire Games at Perth, it was quite likely that all rowers could qualify for the A category, said Mr Shaw. The association has nominated Mr A. H. Gould as manager of the New Zealand rowing team to tour Australia next April Mr Gould is a New Zealand selector. Mr B. R. Walker, the president, reported that there were prospects of the Legion of Old Oarsmen coming out of recess. The legion has not been active in recent years.