BLOW TO ROWING

Evening Star, Issue 19856, 3 May 1928, Page 6

BLOW TO ROWING

mm EHD CLUB’S FATE APPEAL FOR FUNDS CLUB’S HISTORY. As a result of the disaster to the North End Boating dub on the fateful night of April 3U, when tho devastating gale struck its shed, completely wrecking the building and plant of valuable racing boats, an appeal is about to be made to the public and sporting fraternity generally. It is understood that the sum of fully £l,lOO will be necessary to cover the loss, whoso effect is not confined to the North End Club, but is a serious blow to the rowing sport in Otago. Tho first steps towards reorganising tho club will be made on Wednesday, May 9, when a meeting of members of the club, delegates from sister clubs, members of the Rowing Association, and all interested in tho relormation of the club will bo held. Since the club’s inception in 1892 it has passed through many trying times, as will be seen from the following interesting reminiscences:—Mi S. SMyers wag the first to assume the office of president, a position which he held for thirty-three years, during which time ho gave invaluable support to the club. He was the donor of the eight oar boat “S. S. Myers.” The first club captain was Mr Mark Higgins, who stroked many a boat to victory when tho club was in its infancy. He held his position of captain , till 1904. Many successes came the way of the club during its early life, when a splendid fleet of racing craft was built up, Prior to the war Knox and Purvis held a line record in sculling and pair oar rowing, and were practically invincible in the former. The outbreak of tho war was tho first serious setback to the club, for it lost nearly all its members. When peace was restored the club was extremely hard pushed in its endeavours to maintain a footing, for in addition to the want of funds, the club’s plant was in sore need of replacement. Further, the harbour, round, the boathouse, had silted up, and training could only bo done at high water. All thisHended to drive members away. The few who did stand by the club struggled on, and even managed to purchase two new training fours, at a cost of £l3O, mostly subscribed by the members themselves. Just as this debt was cleared off, it was found that the club would have to remove its shed to a new site, on account of the extensions being made to the wharves. This entailed an expenditure of £l3O. During the shifting of tho shed the members had to journey every night to Ravensbonrno for training. The club’s new site provided better training facilities, and tho club immediately showed signs of renewed vigour. It was more successful in regattas, securing a first place in each of the grades, and in the youths, maidens, juniors, and seniors. The membership was doubled, and the club had every prospect of being the most successful next season. All the work of years has now been wiped out as a result of the terrible havoc wrought by tho recent gale, and tho chib is practically faced with the same problem as its members in 1892 namely, of starting right at the beginning. It is hoped that a large_ number will attend the coming meeting, for the presence of many old rowers, and those interested in other sports, will no doubt encourage the active members of the club to do big things towards rebuilding the boathouse and replacing tho boats.

The present executive is; —Patron, Mr S. S. Myers; president, Mr F. Foster; vice-presidents—Messrs W. Rennick, M. Higgins, J. AValker, C. Purvis, G. D. Wright, R. MTndoe; captain, G. Duncan; and secretary, Mr W. G. Glengarry.