ROWING

Evening Star, Issue 23122, 23 November 1938, Page 5

ROWING

AH INTERGLUB REGATTA NORTH END’S TIMELY MOVE NO CLASH WITH OAMARU FIXTURE [By Riggeb.] North End is to be commended on ita initiative in stepping into the breach with an interclub regatta proposal, lb speaks well for the clubs that Otago was only beaten by a “ canvas” in this matter, however, for the loss of the Macandrew Bay regatta events is not to be minimised. So far as active oarsmen are concerned it is to be regretted that this popular fixture should have been lost to the rowing fraternity, through no lack of active support, and the possibility of harbour regatta fixtures being confined to February demonstrated at least one thing—oarsmen can stand on their own legs. As an interclub regatta, the fixture will be conducted on a points basis, the club with the best figures taking the shield to be presented. The early opposition to ihe event, due to the fear that it might clash with the Oamam regatta, need not have been raised.. North End _ stated definitely at the O.R.A, meeting that it would not permit the interclub fixture to clash with the popular Oamarn meeting, and that promise has been borne out. The club has postponed its suggested date to a day early in the New Year. The course is satisfactory, and possesses the additional advantage that' from the spectators’ point of view a natural gallery is provided by the foreshore from the fertiliser works to the North End shed, where the events will be rowed. A programme of 16 races is proposed—four for fours, four for; double sculls, and four for single sculls. Delegates from sister clubs heartily] endorsed North End’s proposal, and deservedly so. At the same time, the fact that the Racing Committee of the Otago Club had already debated the matter suggests that such fixtures might be staged, more frequently, providing, .of course, that suitable dates could be found. Regatta racing in moderation can do oarsmen no harmand the experience gained is invaluable^ Loss to Otago Rowing. Mr T. Porter, a delegate from the Queen’s Drive Club on the committee of the Otago Association, has received notice of transfer to Wellington. Mr Porter, who is in the employ of the Customs Department, has not yet received definite advice of the date of his departure, but he expects to leave Dunedin in a .few weeks. He has given good service to the association for a number of years. At present he is a member of the Emergency Committee, and in recent weeks represented Otago at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Association in Wellington. Clubhouse Chatter. University is still engaged housing itself in its new premises. Completing the staging and making interior fittings are the major tasks, _An innovation for windy days which is proving fairly popular is the laying out of land adjoining the sheds. with a deck-tennia court. North End is in possession of a handsome trophy ,in the Butterfield Cup, for; regatta crews, which has been' raced for; only twice in recent years. It is intended to race for the cup again on December 10, when it is_ hoped that entries from all classes will be received. Varsity reports concerning the obtaining of an eight by Easter are optimistic. Back in the Drive shed are G. Densem (junior) and D. C. Clark (senior)] after an absence of two years. A. Frame, secretary of the O.R.Aand the Otago Club, is at present in hospital. D. Clark was seen out in Drive’s single sculler recently, and he seemed to have lost none, of his old form. Junior fours picked by Drive to train are;—L, Olsen (s), W. Fullerton, G.Densem, J. C. Clark; D. Sutherland (s), R. Paris, A. Craig, A. CookYouths: J. Densem (s). G. Wilson, MSutherland, J. Paris; H. Broadly (s), J. Fitzpatriqk, W. Percy, E. Eclminston. There is still a youths’ and a) maiden crew to be selected. The Australian Rowing Council has written to the Australian Olympic authorities stating that in'rowing events at the 1940 Olympiad it was considered Australia would be more likely to qualify for finals in the single and double sculls than in any other eventThe right is reserved to nominate an’ eight or four if there is one of sufficiently high quality. North End’s racing season will oped next Saturday with the Trial Fours, postponed from last week on account at rough water. All members are asked to be present before 2 o'clock; when the crews will be selected. Two stalwarts of the North End Club —Monte Butterfield and Murray Hogg —who are going Home shortly, were farewelled last Thursday night. The standard of rowing in Auckland is decidedly higher than for several seasons past, and more men of an even standard are available for regatta crews. At the present time there id no necessity for getting any man available to fill a crew. Members gaining a seat in a regatta crew will have justly, earned it.