ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 310, 24 September 1908, Page 8

ROWING.

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. ' The 21st annual report, to'be presented-at tho 'meeting 'of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association' on October 10, says the number of clubs affiliated is now, 60, with a total active .paying membership of 2735, an increase of 70 over last year s total. The number of ■ local associations is nine! The revision of the Customs tariff in 1907 has imposed a 20 per cent, ad valorem' duty' on racing* boats imported into the Dominion. This duty coming into force at the commencement of the past season was severely felt by several clubs who had placed orders in Australia previous to tho. revision of the tariff, and on the matter being brought under their notice the council waited on tlio Minister for Customs, and pointed out to him tho hardship that was being imposed on a number of clubs by the collection of the duty.. The Minister received the deputation favourably, and' tho council have been' notified that a sum has been placed on the Supplementary' Estimates to provide for a refund of the duty paid to the various' clubs who have applied for same.' It must, however, bo bornd in mind that this concession is only for the past season, _ and does not apply to the future, the tariff being now.law.' The champiwiships for the season 1907-08 were decidedat West Shore, Napier, on .March 23 last, under tho auspices of tho Hawke's Bay Sowing Association, and that associatjon is to' bo congratulated on its efforts in bringing so many representative oarsmen together. Though unfortunate as regards weather, the regatta was a successful one from a rowing' and competitive "point "of view. The principal event,-the Championship Fours, was .won Hy; the .Blenheim. Rowing .Clyb, ..while the. Champion Pairs, .Double Sculls and Sculls, were won by ,tho Picton, Akaroa, and Akaroa Clubs respectively. In winning tho Edmonds Challenge Cup (Champion Sculls.Trophy) for tho third time George 'Whelch, of the Akaroa Club, secured' it for his.own, property, and both'he and his cluß are to be congratulated on this fine performance. The form shown at'the regatta was distinctly good, particularly that of tho junior and maiden oarsmen, which fact the council views with pleasure m that it augurs well for the standard and prosperity'of tho spqrt in. future. . ; , .

Poi'baps'tho most important'question to bo decided at tho. forthcoming annual meeting will bo that w-hich the council understands is to. be .brought' forward:by the Marlborough Association to establish a permanent .course for the holding of the Neit Zealand championships. The council" trusts that local associations will give careful-and thoughtful consideration to the proposal, and that they will ..instruct delegates' fully, as to their 'isbos regarding same.'. i

Th'o statement .of receipts and expenditure shows the association' to ,be in. a. satisfactory position, the credit baJanco.at.tho bank being £102 6s: 7d., against which there is a small liability of £2 4s. 6d. • Application 'has been-'received' from 'the following associations fo.r the. allotment of the championship events for the< forthcoming season: .Auckland Association, Canterbury Association (at Akaroa),. and "Marlborough Association. ' , ...

Notice of motion has been,given by the Marlborough Association,' to be moved at tho annual meeting of .the Now. Zealand Rowing Association,, for the 'addition, of the following new rule:—(a) "That the championship regatta shall be controlled directly by the Now ;Zealand Rowing Council,, who shall make arrangements for, receive, entries, and manage'the regatta." ,(b)-'".That rules for- amateur, 'regattas' :bo ..amended . ..whore .necessary, so as to read with-foregoing new rule:.',' ' .. . : • '' ; ,

The Qtago Association will move.tho.following addition'to Rules 31! and-32:—Af tor the word " regatta " the following ' words be added, " and who ; has* never won 'a, maiden, junior, or senior race." ' The Auckland ..Association, will, move:—l. That .th'e chairman's ruling a'£ the last annual meeting of N.Z.A.R.A.-,." That a professional can belong to an amateur club," bo expunged from the minutes. 2. That a sub-committee shall be appointed to revise the rules and regulations of the N.Z.A.R.A. and bring to. date. -3. That-the time has arrived 'when.the championship races should bo inter-provincial "instead of. inter-club, and if ■this 'resolution is affirmed,' 'that a 'snb-epm-mittee be appointed to draw up tho conditions under wliich sucli races shall be held. 4. That the levy on each activo member per head tie increased fromi4d. to 6d., and Jnafi the'additional revenue derived from the increase of tho levy be applied by tho N.Z.A.R.A.-to .'supplement the prize money of the championship races. '.