OTAGO SLIGHTED

Evening Star, Issue 19772, 24 January 1928, Page 3

OTAGO SLIGHTED

SELECTION OF OLYMPIC OARSMEN PROTEST BY LOCAL ASSOCIATION A strong protest was made by Mr "W. J. Wilson at the meeting of the Otago Rowing Association last night at the omission of an Otago representative from the Selection Committee of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association to pick the New Zealand crew for the Olympic Games. The matter arose through receipt of a letter from the N.Z.A.R.A. asking that the names of oarsmen in the Otago district whose form was considered to be up to representative standard should he forwarded to Wellington before January 31. ft was proposed that the selectors should he present at the championship regatta at Wanganui and at the championship eights at Wellington with a. view to seeing the men in action, and later submitting to the Olympic Council the names of those they considered should comprise the New Zealand crew for Amsterdam. Occupation, age, and weight of each man should be sent. A further letter advised that the championship regatta was to be held at Wanganui on March 3, and the championship eights at Wellington on March 24. The following Selection Committee had been appointed;—Messrs H. Ayres, W. Sharpe. A. M. Hales, E. S. limes, and A. D. Bayfield. Mr Wilson said some consideration should have been given to Otago, which should have had some say on the Selection Committee. The Otago Association seemed to have been ignored altogether. , Not only in the past few years, but also in previous times, Otago had produced oarsmen quite ns good as any in New Zealand. Otago seemed to be slighted by these people in the North Island. (“ Hear, _ hear.”) The Chairman said the Selection Committee wes evidently picked from the executive of the New Zealand Rowing Association. They had information that the crew would require to leave New Zealand on April 28, and that bye weeks’ practice was desired before it left. A member asked why the occupations of the men nominated were wanted.

Mr Wilson said the rowing authorities of the Olympic Games would be very strict on the question of amateur status. For instance, a fisherman could not row, nor could a boathuilder. No out-of-pocket expenses could be paid, just travelling expenses. Another delegate pointed out that a man who was a manual worker could not enter for the Diamond Sculls in England. The Chairman said the New Zealand Olympic crew should have been picked in the same way as the New Zealand Rugby team for South Africa. Mr AA'iison asked who there would bo on the Selection Commjttee to fight the cause of men like Brough, M‘Ara, and AVerges (members of the champion Otago four). The Chairman : _ “ We ought to jet them know our opinion of the Selection Committee.” _ ft was decided that Messrs M. H. Priest and W. J. AA ilson should act as (he local Selection Committee to forward nominations to AVellington. Mr Priest remarked that the Otago Association was in some measure to blame itself. It had been asked lime after time to send a delegate to the annual meeting in AVellington. Expense, of course, had always been the trouble. The Chairman: “That is so. but it should not. have made them leave ns off the Selection Committee.” Mr AVilson; “They repeatedly do these things in AA T ellinglnn.” The Chairman said Auckland had been treated rather badly, ns it was also left off the Selection Committee, It was decide! that a. protest against Otago's omission from the Selection Committee should be forwarded to Wellington.