BOARD CRITICISED

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31381, 29 May 1967, Page 18

BOARD CRITICISED

The New Zealand Speedboat Association was disgusted with the Golden Kiwi Lottery Board for refusing to make a grant to help the New Zealand speedboat team to compete in the world championships i n Canada, said the secretary of the association (Mr B. M. Andrews, of Christchurch) yesterday.

“The championships will be held at Valleyfield, 30 miles from Toronto, in July, and are part of the Canadian world fair, Expo ’67. New Zealand will have four boats in the championships,” Mr Andrews said. He said it would cost £4910 to send the four speedboats, five drivers and a team manager. The New Zealand association had raised £2500 by the voluntary efforts of member clubs. “It will be the first New Zealand speedboat team to compete overseas. Peter Knight, in Bel Air, is a very strong contender for the 150 cu. in hydroplane world championship. He has been timed at 109 m.p.h., two m.p.h. slower than the world record.

“We asked the lottery board for £l5OO. It was the association’s first ever application. Speedboating is a big sport in

New Zealand. The board has refused to give any financial assistance at all. “The speedboats were sent ahead by ship three weeks ago. The association has now! had to borrow money from I supporters, money that will have to be repaid. i “The speedboat team will be showing the flag in Canada. There has been considerable criticism, both in New Zealand and Canada, at this country’s failure to take part in Expo. '67. Yet the lottery board refuses to assist with one penny,” Mr Andrews said. The board based its refusal on the ground that speedboating in New Zealand was an adult sport. “This is an affront to the sport and an insult to speedboat drivers. It is incorrect. We have hundreds of drivers under 21. Speedboat drivers can be licensed when they are 15. We encourage youths to take part. “Two drivers in the New Zealand team for the world championships are twin brothers, K. and J. McGregor, of Auckland, aged 24. They have been racing for the last eight years and have five times won major placings in New Zealand's premier event, the Masport Cup. “John Keig, of Ashburton, aged 22, is the fastest outboard speedboat driver in New Zealand and Australia at 90.932 m.p.h. He has been racing for five years,” said Mr Andrews

He said that Mr J. Mathison, M.P., patron of the New Brighton Speedboat Club for many years, was “aghast” at the lottery board’s refusal to assist speedboating in its first overseas venture and had promised to take the matter up at Government level.