SPORT AND PASTIME.

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 114, 10 November 1900, Page 2 (Supplement)

SPORT AND PASTIME.

Aquatics. t [By Neptune.] In the course of a letter to the Secretary of the Rowing Association, which was read at Saturday night's meeting, Mr. A. G. Fell, of Picton, stated: ' r I fear we (the Picton Club) shall not get a four for the championship this year. We cannot get the o*d lot together, and the proposed date is so inconvenient, I do not think we can arrange it r I have not, however, given, it up yet." Gratification was expressed by several delegates at the presence of Messrs. Cowlishow and Kesteven, the Christchurch representatives, at Saturday night's meeting of 'the Rowing Association. r Jfiie chairman, Mr. Bethune, appropriately voiced the hope that theirattendance would be ensured on future occasions. The meeting was unanimous in relegating the management of the Seaton's Championship fixture to the Canterbury clubs. Some minor points in regard to the conditions and surroundings of the •Lake Forsyth course were raised, but these were satisfactorily met by the Christchurch delegates, both of whom were emphatic in 'declaring that the chances were greatly in favour of smooth water, being available on the date selected. It is to be hoped that their predictions as weather prophets will nob be falsified. It' would be unkind of the elements to go back on them on Boxing Day. There is a good deal to be said in favour of Mr. Kesteven's suggestion that the subscription of affiliated clubs should be increased. The fee at present is nominal, and the larger clubs at any rate, should not object to a small increase. Mr. Kesteven claimed that the existing levy is barely sufficient to comfortably carry on the financial affairs of the association, and a glance at last years balance-sheet will afford convincing proof, of the sound- 1 ness of his contention. Tue Managing Committee was requested to take into consideration the advisableness of revising the rules of the Association. It is doubtful' whether such a proceeding is necessary, and Mr. Kesteveni jvho made the suggestion, gave no sol|a reason^ in support of it. The ordinary rules were thoroughly revised a few years ago, and as for the laws of boat' racing, they are understood to be a copy of. those which govern the racing of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge and the principal boat clubs in London. It may be urged that the New Zealand governing body should have a set; Of racing rules of its own, but any proposed change in this direction would open^ up a very large question. Mr. Gibbons, the-association's Auditor, paid a well-deserved compliment to the Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. Boulton, for the business-like manner in which the books have been kept during the past season. The Chairman predicted a subI stantial credit balance on the present season's working, and it will not -be Mr. Boulton's fault if his anticipations are not realised. v Mr. George Lauchlan, who secured a seat on the Managing Committee, was a prominent member \of the Executive of the Wellington Rowing Club a few years ago. The other members of the committee have been actively identified with the sport and the Association for a long number of years, and the new "committee should prove an excellent and up-to-date working body. The members of the Star Boating Club are showing a good deal of activity in regard to club and regatta races. The senior crew to represent the club at the Championship Regatta at Lake Forsyth on 26th Deoember, consists of A. W. Newton (stroke), R. Pownell (3), C. Maudsley (2), D. E. Menzies (bow). The selection has met with general approval, and the crew is doing good work, using the Kaiwarra shed during northerly weather. . Although Newton' might be termed an " old 'un," I think he is still worthy of the position he occupies. Pownall and Maudsley are also fully entitled to their places, and although Menzies has not met with any success at regattas yet, his club form entitles him to his seat in the representative four. There is just a possibility that the latter will not stand the hard training that the others are capable of. The junior crew consisting of J. Widdop (stroke), Cox (3), Exley (2), and Bridge (bow), cannot be improved. Cox contracted a sprain in a scratch race on opening day, but took hit - Ta -c in the crew at the beginning of fh;,s week. Triinnell has-been rowing as a substitute for Cox, and the crew have- been going very nicely. They were very successful iri maiden races last season, and I fully expect them to perform as well in their new class. N Exley •is a most promising oarsman, and with proper attention to training, it should not be long before he secures a seal ill a championship- crew. The following crews are training with a view to representation in the Maiden Fours:— Fell (stroke), Watkins (3), F. Johnson (2), Home (bow), and F. Gale (stroke), Bayfield (3), Dodd (2), R. Gray (bow). ' No doubt Fell's crew is the present selection of the committee, but when they race off on Bth prox., Gale's crew might surprise them. I cannot see what claim Home has to be in either crew. He certainly has been bow in the winning crew of the senior crews for the last two years, but he is too short in the reach and cannot get the length which is necessary for the proper combination in a regatta crew. Bayfield earned his place in No. 2 crew by unexpectedly stroking his crew to victory in the Junior Fours. Newton and Mennies will be the representatives in Senior Pairs and two crews are down for Senior Double Sculls. Pownall and Maudsley and Cox and '0. Bendall. There is a feeling in the shed that Pownall and Maudsley should give their whole attention to the four, leaving Cox and Bendall to the ' Sculls. The Bondall Bros, would have- been the strongest combination. Cox and 0. R. Bendall will be the re- \ prosentatives in the Single Sculls. The Youths' Fours have not been picked, but I think that watkins, F. Johnson, Dodd, and Page should make a strong crew. The Star Club will mse the boat recently received from Greenlands, of Melbourne, in the Champion Fours. I notice that according to the published programme the Junior Fours at the Championship Regatta is to be rowed in clinkers. This is a new departure, and will require the attention of the Managing Committee of tho Association. The Star Club has decided to present two scullers each, to the Horowhenutk Boating Club, and the nrfwly-formed Pe^\ tone Rowing Club. Some time ago they* presented a whaleboat and batswing four to the Kilbirnie Club. The following crews will represent the Queen's Drive Boating Club at the Championship and Lyttelton regattas :— Senior Fours.— S. Howes, D. Bradley, C. Braithwaite, T. Whi,te. Junior Fours. — B. Ashei\ R. Anderson, A. Wiseman, J. Foote. Maiden Fours.— J. M'Donald, W. Morfean, J. Morgan, J. Osborne. Youths' Fours.— A: Cable, A. Carey, S. Moir, J. Mooney. Double Sculls.— W. Porter, A. M'Donald.