AMATEUR ROWING

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 55, 3 September 1934, Page 11

AMATEUR ROWING

SPORT IN WELLINGTON

ROOM FOR MORE OARSMEN

The active membership of the three Wellington rowing clubs.'increased last year from 101. to 202, and in. referring to this, the report of the Wellington Amateur Rowing Association which, is to be presented to tho annual general 'meeting tonight comments that tho position could still be improved, as tho clubs are capable of accommodating more members. The plant and buildings in connection with rowing in Wellington ai-o unsurpassed (continues the report), each club possessing new and up-to-date boats, while the club-houses are conveniently situated on the shores of the harbour. With so large an urban population it seems strange that thero aro only two clubs in the city. Tho Petono Club adequately serves the northern side of the harbour/ Tho thirteenth annual. Bedding Shield regatta, held at Petono on October 14, resulted, in a win for Petonc for the seventh time. Tho first annual competition for the Norton Memorial Cup was hold on' November 25... The. anonymous donor.had recommended that the competition should be held annually in December as a try7.but for the Pieton New Year's Day regatta,; but the date was brought forward to bring the event within "Confidence Week," at the request of the carnival: organisers, who advised on,the eve of the regatta'that they would withdraw all support and concentrate-on other functions. This resulted in much of the interest in the regatta being destroyed. PETONE SUCCESSES. All events were limited to ;■ clinker boats and a one-mile course. The cup was won by Petone, with Star second and Wellington third; The association intends to hold this event about the middle of December in future under conditions identical with those of tho Pieton regatta. The Mothes ] Shield regatta was held under excellent conditions, and resulted' in- a win for Petonc. The inter-club eights•-..-. were won by Petpue No. 2, the ginning crow creating suijh a fine impression that six of 'its members' were- chosen to row in the interprovincial eights; ; ;■ The in'terprovineial eights were held at Wellington at Easter, the race,being postponed, from Saturday till Monday ? when the: conditions were perfect. A record number of seven crows competed, and in the most exciting finish yet seen in the series Wanganui just headed Otago, Syho led for mdst of tho distance. Tho local crew performed remarkably well considering that its members liad had no previous experience of racing in that class of. event. The associa : tion has applied to the N.Z.A.B.A. for the allocation of the event 'next year, the date' suggested beirig Easter Sat: m-day. Tho income and expenditure account revealed a loss of £4 3s Gil, which is regarded as quite satisfactory considering that £20 13s M has been written off the value of the' eight-oared boats on account of depreciation. /The cash. statement shows a favourable balance of £9 12s 2d, compared with £8 53 2d for the previous year. The actual cash surplus was £24 It? 2d, but a grant of £15 was/made to the Eegatta Club in order to increase the prize money for tho interprovincial eights. The capital account.! now stands, at £253 7s Id, and there are no liabilities. CHAMPIONSHIP EVENTS. It has been noticeable' in recent years' that controlling bodies have gradually doleted from their regatta programmes those ovents for which there are, championship titles. It is ythat if senior pair and double sculling, races aro not featured at provincial; regattas tho standard is in danger '.of- being lowered in the championship .events; The Wellington Association has-recom? mended to the N.Z.A.B.A. ■ ■ that,; the eoinniittees controlling regattas .be asked to submit to the N.Z.A.B.A. at its annual general meeting their proposed programmes,, with a view to some arrangements; being made to foster the championship events by increasing the number of pair-oared- ' arid doublesculling races. . . Congratulations', are extended to tho Wanganui Association •on its win at the cight-oaied championship, and to tho Petone Kowing Club on its fill© performance in winning all the local rowing contests. The report _ refers with pleasure to the' co-operation : between the thre© clubs, the Kegatta Club, and the" association. A great improvement in' administration was ef; fected by fhe appointmont of an official of tho Eegatta Glub as a member of the association's committee without voting power. This step greatly facili.tatert the/business of: both bodies . .