STANDARD OF ROWING

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 127, 23 February 1938, Page 5

STANDARD OF ROWING

“New Zealand Need Fear Nothing”

By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, February 22. Since 1925 rowing has improved considerably in Australia and actually deteriorated in New Zealand and England, according to Mr. H. F. Ayres, of Christchurch, who was in charge ot the New Zealand rowing team at the Empire Games. He returned home this morning. “I do not want to be boasttui, dUI with decent representation, New Zealand need fear nothing from the rest of the world in rowing,” he declared. “There is not a great deal wrong with our rowing, but there is room for considerable improvement in New Zealand’s methods of selection. Five selectors as at present, to select ten men is all wrong. Each of the five selectors is out to get his own man into the team. What is wanted is a sole selector who could visit the various provinces. It would not cost a great de<r. and would be a far more effective method of selection.” New Zealand was particularly unfortunate in having C. A. Stiles (Christchurch) taken seriously ill with gastric trouble at 2 o’clock on the morning of the eight-oar race, he said. The other crews had been affected with similar illnesses, but they had managed to overcome their troubles before the race. “I do not want it to appear that 1 am making excuses for New Zealand not winning the event. Actually, the crew’ put up an excellent performance in being only two lengths away from the Australians at the finish, especially when at. the end they were rowing practically a man short.”