ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 195, 12 May 1908, Page 8

ROWING.

' THE NEW ZEALAND COUNCIL. . A meeting of >the Council of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association was held last evening.' There were present Messrs. R. W. M'Villv (in the chair), Geo. Lauchlan, •W. Coffey, J. -E, Widdop,' B. Harris, 'and A. ,D. Bayfield,, lion, secretary. ' ; V The secretary of tho New Zealand Sports Federation' wrote drawing attention to tho special meeting of tho Federation to be held at Christchurch on ..May 20 for the purposo of. enabling tlio representative of the" Now Zealand Rugby Union to move .a resolution " that Rule 7, be amended by striking out the words ''within fourteen' days of the'imposition of such disqualification,' and inserting at the end of the rule the words ' provided that'in regard to disqualifications imposed by any affiliated body prior to the constitution of the Federation such application shall bo made within twelve' months from tho constitution of the and that in regard to all disqualifications imposed since tho constitution of thp Federation' such ap-' plication §hall.bo mado within fourteen days of tho imposition of such .disqualification.' " Tho Association's. delegates were instructed to opposo the amendment after a short discussion,. during which Mr. Coffey said- he was suspicious of tho attitude of--the ■'New Zealand Rugby Union in the matter.."" In his opinion, ' there was intention on the part 'of tho Union to' get at those men who had toured with tho professional team in England. The speaker, remarked that l supposing the, players disqualified by the New Zealand Rugby Union >vere : to become 'members''of clubs that might, be affiliated to any, Rugby League that might be-formed in New 'Zealand, ! and that tho latter body might subsequently become affiliated to tho Sports, Federation, would the'latter body endorse the disqualification of thoso players, and prevent' them from actually, participating in'tho game? ■ ' • ■/.' The chairman said it was possible ,to suppose that'.'any man disqualified-Jor'taking part in tho tour,of- the professional team at Homo would be reinstated, by the Federation should the. Rugby League come into" existonce and ,be subsequently 1 affiliated'to! the Association'. • ''. . Mr. Lauchlan's views coincided with tliose of tho first speakor. It might appear that tho New Zealand Rugby Union wanted to "set" at tlie players who took part in the recent'tour. ' ~ . : Mr. Widdop was of a similar mind. , Tho chairman remarked that under existing/rules' it was impossible to give , proper effect to any disqualification that might be imposed by an. affiliated body. The period of notice,,of disqualification' was.' too indefinite. Messrs. J.-11. Morrison and W. Coffey are tho Association's delegates to the Federation. Tho latter being .unable to attend' the meeting, Mr. Smith, . lion, secretary- of the Canterbury Rowing Association, will act with Mr. Morrison. The Wanganui Club ,appealed against being disqualified in tho champion doublo sctills at the championship regatta, "at. Napier. Tho protest, was dismissed by the Council, the opinion, being that the,Wanganui crow should 1 have kept the centre course, which-was. their position at starting, instead o/ crossing 'over. It was also decided to point out that tho umpire's decision in the rules of boat racing is filial. ' ' - The Ngaruawahia Club claimed tho prizemoney and (Shampion caps for the' country clubs' fours at the Auckland Anniversary Regatta. Correspondence' showed that there being only ono entry, the referee had struck tho race off the programme without'notifying tho Ngaruawahia Club, whose crow went out to start and row over the course. The starter refused to start the crow. Thp'matter -was referred baclr to tho Auckland Association for further particulars.