CRITICISM RESENTED

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 49, 28 February 1927, Page 4

CRITICISM RESENTED

PURCHASE OF "EIGHTS"

ROWING COUNCIL'S VIEWS

A candid criticism of the council of the New Zealand Bowing Association for its action in purchasing eight-oared • boats for the Dominion was recently made by Mr. F. D. Kesteven, who has for many years been connected with" the administration of rowing in Can-' tertmry. The criticism has been re- 1! sented by the N.Z.A.R.A., which con-' aiders that Mr. Kesteven was not ex-; pressing the opinion of the oarsmen in' Canterbury. "The Canterbury Bowing Association applied for two eights under con-, ditions laid down by the council, '' said Mr. E. 8. Innes, chairman of the council of the N.Z.A.B.A. to a "Post" roporter to-day. "Mr. Kesteven is reported as saying that the boats were going to ruin the Canterbury Association, which did not know what would be dono with them, and that it had all come about because the New Zealand Association had gone mad, and was mad on sending crews to Australia. "Mr. Kesteven first condemns the council and deplores the gift of the eights, and then speaks optimistically of the boats, and of the future of eightoarcd rowing in Christchurch. I have seen reports in which he is credited with saying that he would do all in his power to forward the new type. There are two Mr. Kestevens, and we want to know which Mr. Kesteven we are dealing with.", Mr. Innes pointed out that the Canterbury Association had carried a resolution expressing appreciation at the gift of the eights. He added: "The council has ever striven to increase the popularity of the sport it represents, and after a good deal of work has been able to arrange overseas contests. It is hoped by regular contests of such nature, and by arranging interprovincial eights, that interest in the sport will be greatly aroused. We know Mr. Kesteven would like to allow professionals in other sports to row as, amateurs, which, if given effect to, would mean that the highest ambition a young man could achieve in rowing would be only to be champion of New Zealand, as if Mr. Kesteven had his way, no amateur oarsman would be elegible to compete out of New Zealand. The New Zealand Amateur Bowing Association, if enthusiasm can be called madness, is mad on one thing only, namely, the advancement of amateur rowing in the Dominion. Its executive recognises that in common with other branches of atEletic sport oarsmen should be given the opportunity of meeting representatives of other countries. The introduction of eight-oared rowing will be a great help in this direction, and in keeping NewZealand's prowess in the athletic world to the fore." .