ROWING ASSOCIATION

Evening Star, Issue 22209, 11 December 1935, Page 6

ROWING ASSOCIATION

OTAGO-SOUTHLAND EIGHTS M RACE YET ARRANGED Several alternative plans in an endeavour to arrange the long-delayed initial eight-oar contest between Otago and Southland were discussed by last night’s Otago Rowing Association meeting before it was decided to suggest to the Bluff Regatta Committee that provision be made for such an event, together with prize money, on jt's programme for New Year’s Day. Present were Messrs S. G. Styche (president), C. R. Caffin, F. Brough, H. G. Stiles (Otago Club), A. M. N. iWatson, F. W. Eggers, P. F. Verngreen (North End), W. J. Wilson, T. Porter, L. R. Fountain (Queen’s Drive), T. F. Mackie, J. E. Colthorpe, W. H. Lysaght (Port Chalmers), W. B. Robinson,"H. C Gray (University), E. V. Fairbairn, and J. Turnbull (Oamaru). ■ The Southland Association wrote requesting that the race be rowed at the Bluff regatta for a shield donated by a southern rowing enthusiast, Mr Y. Metzger. A further letter from the Southland ’Association issued a challenge. to the Othgo Association for the Edmond Shield race at either the Riverton i(Boxing Day) or Bluff regatta. It iwas held that the race should be reinstated as an annual one. While being sympathetic toward the proposal, delegates agreed that the association could not afford to send a , composite representative crew south, ias well as a provincial crew to Wanganui. The first line of discussion was therefore on a motion that it would be’impossible to finance an eight’s trip to Bluff, but that the association would keep the matter in view so that 3 special race might possibly be arranged for later in the season. It was even suggested that after the selection of the respective provincial eights a test race might prove beneficial as a training asset and guide to form, especially as it would not seriously affect the full training schedule. Theoretically this sounded all right, but Otago had had sufficient training difficulties in the past without seeking to complicate matters further, another member said. So .this motion lapsed. Inquiries among delegates then indicated that the Otago Club would be widely represented at the Bluff regatta. Mr Stiles added that this club, with the association’s consent, was prepared to boat “ a respectable sort of eight ” and row against Southland as a club crew, not as a provincial representative combination, nor for any particular stake. Members were satisfied that this would admirably comply with Southland’s wish, which appeared to be for the visit of a sound crew, but not Otago’s best. Southlanders seemed to realise, it was said, that such an eventuality Would result in no race, while it was their aim to stage something to enthuse the public. The Otago Association was ready to help if it could, and it would_ not be concerned if the Edmond Shield were at stake if Southland considered this would assist its purpose. Holding the view that tbe whole proposal was to assist the Bluff Regatta Coinmittee, Mr Mackie said that he saw no reason why oarsmen who went there to compete for their club should prejudice their chances of winning prizes if the eight-oar event were held before the remainder of tbe programme was completed, just for the convenience of the regatta authorities. Nevertheless, the day of club eight-oar rowing was noar at hand, and Bluff might be the first regatta in the South Island to cater for such a development. Consideration should bo given the inclusion of an eight-oar race in the programme for a worth-while prize, in which evetttmore than one Otago club might desire to compete, and would be allowed to do so, provided the association granted use or the boats, ‘ A motion was framed to incorporate the last suggestion, and this was carried. MACANDREW BAY REGATTA. The Macandrew Bay Regatta Committee advised that £24 (£4 more than last year) had been allocated for the rowing races at its Boxing Dav fixture, and requested that eight events be approved. The request for eight races was acceded to, four four-oared and four doublo-sculliug events being arranged, together .with the additional • prize money, as followYopths’ fours, £1 15s and 15s; junior sculls, £1 15s and 15s; maiden fours, £2 5s and Dunedin Amateur Boating Club’s Memorial Cup and 15s; youths’ sculls, £1 5s and 15s; senior fours, £3 15s and £ 1 ss; maiden sculls, £1 5s and l6s; junior fours, £2 15s and £1; senior sculls, £2 5s and £l, Officials were appointed as follow: Starter, Mr Fairbairn; umpire, Mr Robinson; judges—Messrs Mackie, Watson, Fountain, and Porter; New Zealand Association representative, Mr .Wilson. BURKES-ST. LEONARDS REGATTA. Advising that £22 (£lO more than last year) had been allotted for the rowing at its annual fixture 011 February 22, the Burkes-St. Leonards Regatta Committee expressed tbe hope that the additional prize money would compensate for the disappointment caused by the abandonment of last year’s regatta, and that an extra event would bo sanctioned. It was decided to include eight races (four four-oared and four double-scull-ing events), as compared with six last season. The allocation of prize money was deferred until a later meeting. GENERAL. In the official report of the New Zealand Association’s recent annual meeting it was stated that the Otago delegate had asked for consideration of the question of holding the interprovincial eight-oar contest and the national championships _on thp same day, and hoped associations would consider the matter during the year, when possibly Otago would give notice of motion affecting the question for consideration at the next annual meeting. Mr Mackie, the delegate to the meeting, which was held in Wellington, reviewed the discussions and was thanked for his report and comments on the .various decisions. Mr Styche extended a . special welcome back to the association as a University representative to Mr Robinson, ■whose delegation from tbe defunct Macandrew Bay Club terminated after the annual meeting in October. MiGray was also welcomed as a new University delegate.