AMATEUR ROWING

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 32, 1 November 1928, Page 8

AMATEUR ROWING

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION’S ANNUAL MEETING NEXT CHAMPIONSHIPS The annual meeting of the New Zea-, land /Vmateur Rowing Association was held on Tuesday night, Major 11. A. Lomax (Wanganui), presiding. Delegates present were, Messrs. A. J. Maclaine and A. M. Hale (Marlborough), D. R. Menzies and E. S. Innes (Auckland), E. Dield and R. J. G. Duncan (Wellington), H. Paton (Otago), B. A. Marris, and C. F. Turner (Canterbury), and A. D. Bayfeild (secretary). Election of Officers. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr. A. J. Maclaine (Marlborough) ; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. J. Wilson (Otago), and A. J. Ayers (Christchurch) ; secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. D. Bayfeild; auditor, Mr. G. C. Fache; council, Messrs. E. 8. I Innes, D. R. Menzies, C. F. Turner, H. I Paton, G. Lauchlan, E. Diehl, and R. J. G. Duncan. Tribute to the past work of the retiring president was paid by the various members, Major Lomax acknowledging the compliments. Discussion on Annual Report. Referring to the annual report, the chairman spoke of the comment passed on the championship regatta, at Wanganui. He thought that some of the remarks were exceedingly drastic, and all of them absolutely uncalled for. Mr. E. S. Innes thought that the annual report covered the ground well, and said that he was pleased to see that so much interest has been taken in the regattas, especially the interprovincial eights, which he described as the most important race of the year. Another pleasing feature was the interest taken in rowing by members of the general public as well as by the rowing enthusiasts. Mr. Innes deplored the falling out of active members since the introduction of the two shilling levy. In conclusion he complimented the Wanganui Union crew on its winning the Steward's Challenge Cup at Melbourne. Speaking in reference to the criticism of the Wanganui association, Mr. A. Gray (Wanganui) deplored what had happened and thought it a matter of impertinence for -the Wellington association to criticise the Wanganui association. The action of the Wellington association was excused by him on the ground of inexperience, it being stated that they were too prone to criticise. Mr. Gray said that Wanganui was opposed to sending a crew to the Olympic Games, as such an expense was unnecessary. At n time when there was so much unemployment in New Zealand, the speaker thought that it was scandalous to raise money to send a crew abroad. Far better, lie said, to turn our thoughts to outown regattas. Re predicted that all associations would have a hard • row to hoe this year. lie considered that four-oared championships should be supported before the eighths wore considered. Mr. Gray suggested that if the eights were to be rowed either in the North or in the South Island, the boats in each place might be used in order to save the expense Incurred when boats were being transported from island to island. Mr. G. Lauchlan said that the members of tlie Wanganui committee were noxious to do the right thing at the Wanganui regatta, and upheld their actions. New Zealand Championships. It was decided that the next New Zealand championships are to be held at l*lcton. Interprovincial "Kights.” The next Interprovincinl “eights" have been allocated to the Canterbury Association. Heats Not Favoured. The question of running races in heats came in for a fair amount of discussion, Mr. Innes expressing himself as being greatly in favour of it. He said that he would like to test the feeling of delegates on the matter. Mr. Lauchlan thought that if an eightoared race were run in heats it would lose much of its spectacular qualities. Mr. E. Diehl considered the matter impracticable nnd also agreed with Mr. Lauchlan’s views. Mr. Innes pointed out that in Melbourne and at Home, many races were run in heats. Mr. Bayfeild said that the idea did not appeal to him, so far as the "eights” were concerned.- If the distance were reduced, he considered that they would be taking a retrograde step. In his opinion the long distance was a truer test of the oarsmen, especially in an eight-oared race. Mr. K. G. Dunean said that he did not agree with the idea of heats. Mr. Lauchlan then said that conditions in Australia nnd in England were governed by the widths of the rivers, nnd mentioned that there were occasions when two boats could barely get along. On the motion of Mr. Bayfield it was decided that the mooting was not in favour of running the interprovincinl “eights” in heats. The Annual Levy. The Wanganui Association moved: “That rule 12 of the association's rules lie amended to provide an annual levy of Is. Cd., Instead of 25., as at present." Mr. Gray explained tlint rowing had much opposition in other sports, and thought that the 2s. was too much to pay. Mr. Innes said that if the motion were carried lie would give notice of motion next year to have it increased to 2s. once more. j Mr. Menzies supported Mr. Innes'. Mr. Duncan did not think that the 2s. levy caused any undue hardship. Tlie motion was lost by nine votes to four. It was decided that the deiinition of a best and best boat shall be: “A best and best boat is a carvel-built boat."

The meeting regretted that it could not accept the invitation of the New South Wales Association for a New Zealand “eight” to compete at the New South Wales championship regatta to be held at Sydney. on December 22. but favoured sending A. K. Jackson, of Wanganui, as a sculler.