BOWING

Evening Star, Issue 18105, 21 October 1922, Page 13

BOWING

■.. 4 [By Clinker.]

"With the advent of the warmer weather winter_ sports have been put aside, and cricket, rowing, bowling, tenuis, and ether warm-weather games hold sway. As an invigorating and health-giving sport rowing can easily hold its own with ail the others. It is strenuous, but enjoyable, and only consistent training and strict attention to the advice of older hands can produce tho finished oarsman, it is true that tho weather god is not always sufficiently kind to Otago Harbor to allow of consistent training, but every opportunity for practice should be taken. The captains of the various clubs should make every endeavor to induce the tyros to train. Last year some meritorious performances were put up by local crews, and it is hoped that with renewed enthusiasm this season a* high standard will again be reached, “Clinker” will bo pleased to receive any items from local secretaries or other enthusiasts for insertion in this column, which, as in past, seasons, will be published weekly. One of the most important events in local rowing circles this year will bo the celebration of its jubilee by the Otago Rowing Club, which in the past has produced some splendid oarsmen and scullers. No definite programme has yet been determined upon to mark the occasion, hut this will be arranged later on. The club captain this year is Mr H. L. Lyons, who was well-known as tho secretary for some years past; and the new secretary is Mr J. Joyce, whose enthusiasm in the sport is well known. The plant has been overhauled, and is in good condition. Two single sculls have been presented to tho club, and a new four-oared racer is expected to arrive shortly. About a dozen new members have been acquired, and are reported to'bo taking a keen interest in tho sport. Both Fort Chalmers clubs are reported to have increased their membership, and to bo expecting a brisk and successful season. It is hoped to publish some details about their doings next week. Under tho heading of “ Hearty Veterans,” tho, Sydney ‘Referee’ states that two old-time American scullers, Fred PJaisted (seventy-three years) and Jim Reilly (seventy-eight years), recently met in an exhibition match over a threequarter mile coureo on the Schuylkill River, when Plaisted won by a narrow margin. The old-timers aro reported to have put up a capital race. Rowing as well as football is evidently being invaded by the Indies of Australia. The following appeared in a recent Sydney ‘ Referee’l, tho undersigned, am prepared to row any lady sculler in Australia in 22ft skiffs for a substantial stake on the Hunter River.—Millie Greenwood, Mayfield, Newcastle.”

It is many a long day since tho Wellington Rowing Association experienced such fine weather conditions as thoso which obtained for the opening day, says the ‘ Post.’ This season’s opening was most successful—tho weather was bright and sunny, and the surface of the harbor was cairn—and all (crews and spectators alike) enjoyed themselves. It is a good omen for the rowing season to be opened under such ideal conditions. There should be many enjoyable regattas this summer. From a racing point of view little need be said. Tho Wellington Club won the Redding Shield with a large number of points to spare. After the Redding Shield the next trophy to interest clubs is the intcrclub contest for the much covoted Mollies Shield. Previously this shield competition has been decided at two regattas held within a small interval of time; hut this season, it is understood, the question of deciding tho shield at one regatta is to bo considered. The latter

proposal lias its merits,_ and the consensus of opinion seems to point in favor of the alteration. Something definite has at last been reached in connection with tho piopqsea Austinlian-Neve Zealand interstate rowing. A letter received recently frona the New South Wales Rowing Association states that tho association is favorably disposed towards the proposed jnter-Commonwoaltli-dominion contests, and that notice of motion is to bo given in that connection tor tho next interstate conference of rowing bodies in Australia, which, however, wild not be held until May, 1933, at Perth. Although satisfaction may be felt in knowing that Now Zealand’s proposals are to ho° considered, yet it is rather disappointing, for the context of tho Australian letter shows clearly that if the proposals are adopted New Zealand oarsmen will not be able to compete in tiro Australian championships until 192 J. It is understood that the New Zealand Bowing Association may yet communicate* _ with the Now South Wales Rowing Associationwitn a view to ascertaining whether there are any races during this season’s Australian regattas to which New Zealand could send crews. If that course is decided upon, there is no hesitation in saying that it will meet with approval from oarsmen throughout the dominion. No doubt the Austro-lictu reply will bo awaited anxiously. Walter M. Hoover, the American winner of the Diamond Sculls at Henley, had a royal welcome back to New York. Ho arrived on the Majestic. Tugboats filled with friends and admirers, bearing signs of “ Welcome Home, Walter Hoover,” and gay with bunting, met the vessel at quarantine and followed it up the bay. A, committee took him to the City Hall, whore ho was received by Murray Hulbert, president of tho Board of Aldermen, on behalf of Mayor Hylan. Hoover, who won the big blue ribbon event of amateur sculling, was termed by tho_ passengers tho most modest man on the ship. Beyond saying that tho British were_ fine sportsmen, mid that “conditions win races and make records rather than oarsmen,” ho would not comment on his victory. He said he intended to return to his home in Duluth ns soon as possible, taking with him the trophy, which consists of two silver sculls crossed through a wreath of diamonds and emeralds, and which will bo given into the custody of his rowing club. Ho himself received a gold loving cup in token of winning tho rowing classic. In addition, Mr Hoover is being presented with a now home, completely furnished, by tho people of Duluth, a gift which ho declared was entirely unexpected, and for which he waa very grateful. At the City Hall the champion heard congratulatory speeches from President Hulbert, Commissioner Whalen, and John J. F. Mulcahy, secretary of the National Association of Amateur Oarsmen. Among those present was Edward H. Ten. Eyck, who twenty-five years ago had the distinction of being tho second American to win the Diamond Sculls, and whoso younger brother, Jaraea Ten Eyck, trained Hoover and other prominent rowing men. After the ceremonies Hoover left for a tour of tho city amid tho cheers of over a thousand men and women.

A. A. Baynes, the Queensland amateur champion sculler, who was defeated in tho race for tho Diamond Sculls at Henley-on-the-Thames, is now in Mclbounc, whoa ho is training for the Silver Sculls, to bo decided on the Victorian Henlcy-on-the-Yarra. Baynes, according to a report received in .Sydney, said that his forthcoming race may be his last, as ho intends to complete Ins examinations for accountancy. It is to be. hoped that such a fine sculler will not vet bo lost to the sport in Australia. The Queensland amateur is only twenty-three years of age. Speaking of rowing and sculling gcncral.lv. Baynes, in an interview in Melbourne, said ho considered the best Australian scullers would more than hold their own with those of England. Be also thinks, after seeing Britain’s best eight-ortr crow —Loander, who won the “Grand” this year—that tho Murray Bridge crew which won the Australian championship at Bris-

ban® in 1920 and at Sydney this year would ha able to account for it. “The proposal that the Murray Bridge crew should go to Henley created no end of discussion,” ho said. “But the British authorities are adamant regarding the amateur definition, and Ruthlessly enforce the regulation which prevent® artisans’, o>' manual laborers from competing at Henley. This year several foreign entries were rejected on thia account. I did not at any time hear it mentioned that a. crew from Great Britain would bo likely to compete at tile Olympic Games in Paris in 1924.”