91-YEAR-OLD

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31724, 6 July 1968, Page 15

91-YEAR-OLD

Canoeing in Canterbury may not be such a new sport as some enthusiasts believe. The Arawa Canoe Club was formed last year and it was thought that this was the introduction of the sport to the province. However, a cup has come to light which, although having a base of four oars, has an inscription to indicate it was won in a canoeing event. The inscription reads: “Lyttelton Regatta, 1877 Canoe Race won by Faugh-a-Ballagh—R. H. Matthewes.” The president of the Canterbury Rowing Association (Mr B. R. Walker) said yesterday that the cup had come into the possession of an Avon Rowing Club member, N. Malcolm, through relations, and descendants of Matthewes.

Malcolm had offered it to the rowing association, but the association felt it would be of greater use to the “new” sport of canoeing, which could then point to some history. Newspaper reports of the event referred to Matthewes

“paddling home,” said Mr Walker, and this suggested very strongly that the cup was for a canoeing event. It appeared as if the award of the cup was a "oncer,” Mr Walker said, although the trophy, photographed above, appeared too good for this.