"OF HIGH STANDARD"

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 104, 29 October 1925, Page 8

"OF HIGH STANDARD"

NEW ZEALAND ROWING

EIGHT-OARED CHAMPIONSHIP,

The success of the New Zealand eight-oared crew which visited Sydney at the end of last season and won the eight-oared championship of New South Wales, and the Challenge Eights at the Uiverview Regatta, has prompted Mr. G. Laughlan, manage" of the team, to recommend tho establishment of an eight-oared provincial championship of New, Zealand. This recommendation is to bo considered at the animal meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Uowing Association to be held this evening.

Commenting on. the recent visit, the association's annual report states: "The visit must do much to advance the sport of amateur rowing in Australia, and in (he- Dominion. A most gratifying feature is the verdict of those thoroughly competent to give an opinion, and one and all agree .that New ' Zealand oarsmanship is of' n, high standard and equal to that of our friends in Australia."

"The council has accepted the offer of Mr. 11. Johnston, of Auckland, to present a cup to the value of £250 tp en-, courage contests will) crews of-eights. The conditions named by the donor are that the cup is to be competed for at least once a year, and to be open for Australian crews. ■ -The. New Zealand Rowing Council is joining in with the Wellington Lawn Tennis Association in tho promotion of an art union to raise funds for the purpose of advancing both sports. If successful, it is hoped that sufficient funds will be available to provide eight-oared boats for local associations buth for contests at home and abroad."

In regard to the championships the, report states: "The regatta was held under favourable- weather conditions, but it is questionable whether crews were satisfied with' the course selected, it being considered that, owing to current, advantage was gained by crews who drew certain starting positions. AVhilsfc there is a dpnbt that some courses are better-than others, it must be considered . that. the .holding of the championship events in a largo centre like Auckland is of considerable benefit to the sport generally, and in this instance the Auckland executive selected a course away from the city, and by so doing were able to do much good at a smaller centre. The form shown by competitors was good, and from reports received your council feel satisfied that tho maiden and junior oarsmen of to-day will prove to be thoroughly efficient and capable of maintaining ft high order of oarsmanship in rowing events in the future.

"The season just closed hns been an eventful one, marking as-it does a distinct advnnco in the sport of :imatnnr rowing in the Dominion, the full benefit of which will doubtless show during the coining season. At the same time, however, whilst the support given to your council has been most marked in one or two.cases, it seems evident that the majority of associations have some difficulty in obtaining the 'local support necessary to enable them to make progress. The success of Hio Dominion representatives in Australia, it is hoped, will inspiro increased energy throughout all clubs, both in active and non-active, members, as well as officials generally. 'iinil if this is forthcoming a very briclit future for tho sport of amateur rowing is assured."