ROWING

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVIII, Issue 106, 31 October 1914, Page 10

ROWING

(By "Scull.")

Few except those in close touch with' the N.Z. Amateur Rowing Association are yet fully aware what rapid strides rowing 1 is making in New Zealand, and more particularly in the scattered country districts. The association's annual report shows that affiliated clubs number 51. of which 28 are in the North Island and 23 m the South. Eight-otired rowing is coming into prominence, and th© presentation of a challenge 6hield by Mr. H. C Someryille, of Auckland, should create deeper interest in this branch. This season the monibors of the Union Rowing Club, Christchurch, will again be under the guiding hand of their old captain, Mr. F D. Kesleven. The veteran oarsman has practically a free hand in the management of tho club's affairs, and it 13 principally upon his suggestion that a proposal was brought forward during the close season to inaugurate a fund for the purpose of raising sufficient money to free the club of debt on its attaining its jubilee in 1916. The sum of £325 is wanted,' and there is £185 already in hand. On the whale the officials of tho Avon Rowing Club, Christchurch. were well satisfied with tho performances of their rogatta crews last season; £140 was received in prize money, which strengthened the club's position considerably. » This season tho club has decided to provide for a consignment of oaxs ami sculls, and a now double sculler (convertible), and two best and best boats, one for pairs and ono for sculls. The last season with the Wanganui j Rowing Club, from a. rowing ami financial point of view, was about the least successful in tho history of tho river club, and owing to tho departure of a dozen members to join tho expeditionary forces * m? vlva ' ' s llot ex Pected this season, Tho Star Boating Club will commence club racing next wook, when tho tiial fours will corno up for decision Lator in the week tho Wellington Rowing Club will be holding club races. With lino weather tho harbous should bo tho eceiio of aomo interesting sport. BARRY v. PADDON. When tho stokes of tho Bavry-Paddon race- for tho world's championship wore being paid over. Paddon said that bo far as tho actuaJ race was concerned ho had I nothing to complain about oxcrpt llio water, which was so much disturbed by tho traffic that he would not consider another raco on the Thames unices tho river was closed a-n hour before tho start,. This disturbed state of affairs prevented him from doing his proper work. lie was oxcellontly boated, and was otherwise satisfied that lie had boon fairly and squaroly beaten. Bill Paddon, who piloted his brother, said that Barry was wonderful in tho rough water, the manner in which ho commanded his boat being excellent. Barry said that Paddon had sculled oxcellently, and made a very good raco of it Ho (Barry) was not quite so wall as ho could have wished to bo, having been troubled with his chest. With regard to Australia, ho was not averse to tho proposal that ho should make the tour, but, as ho had morp than </nco said, ho would not think of sculling for the world'ft cham. pionship on any other river except tho Thames..