OTAGO OARSMEN

Evening Star, Issue 19375, 8 October 1926, Page 6

OTAGO OARSMEN

Dll THE WAY TO MELBOURNE FIRST LETTER HOME. The Otago champion rowing four, who will represent New Zealand in the Honley-on-Yarra regatta at Melbourne on October 23, are passengers by the Manuka, which is expected to arrive at the Australian port to-morrow. From Wellington Mr P. S. Anderson. who is manager of the crew, wrote a letter concerning the trip northwards from Dunedin. .He states;— “The trip thus far has been good as far as the weather is concerned, but. there has been far too much delay in ports. We had to pay for a calm sea by putting up with a heavy drizzle, and this has interfered with the handling of cargo and kept the ship back. Wc had hoped to ho on our way by now, but the best we can hope for now is to get away by to-night. Tile board says 4 p.m., but it will probably be 9 p.m. before we pull out. “We have had a number of spins since we left Dunedin. First at Christchurch the Avon Club placed a boat at our disposal, and we had a real good spin on the river. Then the Lyttelton Club allowed us to use a brand new Norton boat they had just received, and we had a row in the harbor in her in the rain.

“Since arrival in Wellington we have had a few spins from the Star Club .shed. The boat—an Edwards—■ did not at first suit us, but when we ascertained that the rigging was anything from 7 to 61—bow was 7 and the others were all different—we were soon able to put things right and have a couple of very enjoyable spins since. Wo also went out to the Petone Club last night and had a spin there, the water was too rough to go out from the Star shed on. account of a northerly wind. The boat there—a Norton—did not suit ns at all. but we had some exercise, which is the main thing. “ \Vo have been very well treated ■since wo arrived at Wellington. The first to call on us was Mr H. Patou, the Otago representative on the council, and we are greivMy indebted to him for the time ho spent with us. Ho took ns round the bays on Sunday last. Then Mr James, the chairman of the council, has also taken us under his wing. He went with ns to Petone last night. Mr Baton also had a look at. ns while we were out, and I am afraid wo would not impress him very much. Every club seems to have its own ideas ot height of rigging and oars, and it is rarely possible to step into a boat and loci comfortable. I am satisfied that the Otago way of doing tilings is the best we have met with so far.

“Air Bayfield, the secretary of the N.Z.R.A., has done all he eould to assist us. This morning he arranged with a friend to take us out in his car, and wo had a good look around. Yesterday we were entertained at luncheon by ihe members ot the New Zealand Council, with representative? of the Olympic Council, at the Empire Hotel. ’The Olympic representative presented ns with a. little skid with tour oarsmen sluing up nicely in it, and ho made a rather humorous speech. “The boys are all well, and wish to he kindly remembered to all Dunedin friends.” OPPOSING CREWS.

The Secretary of the Melbourne Regatta Association has written as follows Id the secretary of the Otago Mowing Association; —“Thank you ioj the copy of the ‘Evening .Star' ‘ Sports Special’ containing particulars of the Otago champion four, which, we arc pleased to learn, is entering for the forthcoming Henley. At present I am not certain whether the West Australian crew which won 1)10 Stewards’ Challenge Cup last year will compete, but your crew will meet the champions of Tasmania, two ol whom rowed in the crew which won the King’s Cup last year. Wendoureo will be the best of the Victorian crows, and all the member.; ol this crew were in the crow which t. .1 the Victorias eight-oared char.v.uoiifuiip last year, I notice your co; rain's weight is sst olb. Under our i-v ; Hie minimum is 7st for fours, so that the boy will have to carry Ist 9ih dead-weight in a sealed bag. The distance of the course is one mife. . . . i notice from the news-

paper report that the crew, wishes to compote at other regattas, if possible. The Victorian Lowing Association regatta will he field on ihc Saturday following Henley, over l lie same course. Wo are anxiously 1 xing forward to the visit of your crev,, and trust they will spend an enjoyable time whilst here.”