ROWING

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 108, 10 May 1930, Page 6

ROWING

ALL BLACK EIGHT

REPLY TO CRITICISM

(By Telegraph.—Press : Association.)

BLENHEIM, 9th May.

Northern criticism of the selected All Black eight to row at the Empire Games, to be held at Ontario, Canada, was brought under the notice of Mr. A. 3l Maclaine, president of the New, Zealand Bowing Association. One northern paper stated that northern rowing circles considered the strongest possible side had not been chosenj and made an ominous prophecy that .the financial support of oarsmen will not be forthcoming for that reason. ', Mr. Maclaine strongly deprecated the criticism as an ill-timed attempt to destroy public confidence in the chosen, crew, and he expressed, the hopo that nothing would deter rowing enthusiasts from the determination to send tho crew overseas. Ho defended the choice made by the selectors. "I think they have picked a good crew, very representative of the Dominion's rowing strength," he said. "Every rowing district with the exception of Wariganui, which did not compete in any big event this season, has at least one member in the twelve selected to train, and tho crew finally selected will be an excellent one. It should do full justice to New Zealand." .

Tho speaker gave it as his opinion! that Sandos (Hamilton) and Olssoa (Picton) were the two best oarsmen. in New Zealand to-day. ■ ■■■

Mr. Maclaine added that it was practically certain *the crew would be trained at Wanganui and would go into training on 10th June, leaving Nev Zealand on Ist July.

In order to raise money for the expenses of the New Zealand rowing' eight, which is to compete at-thes Empire Gamea in Canada, the oarsmen of- Wellington' have decided to hold a joy night on 23rd May. It will cost £1800 to send the crew, and Canada has given £1000 towards this amount, leaving New. Zealand £800 to find, Wellington has been called upon to raise at least £150; and it.is hoped that the proceeds of the joy night will give the quota a big lift. New Zealand oarsmen * have a practically, unbeaten record overseas, and in view of the high'standard of rowing iri tho Dominion at" the-present time it is anticipated that the'latest national crew to be chosen will, uphold tho traditions of the past./ However, the com* mittec in charge oE .the appeal.is not asking dancers to. attend joy night .'because.of the merits of the appeal'only^ but because it is confident that the function itself will be well worth the price of admission. ■