ROWING

Evening Star, Issue 23180, 1 February 1939, Page 5

ROWING

[By Eigceb.]

EIGHTS FOR EASTER

MATTER FINALLY DECIDED

Sequel to Otago’s circular’ to sister associations, aptly described as a “ long shot,” is that the interprovincial eights will definitely be held at Dunedin nest Easter Saturday. Since the allocation of the fixture, in October of last year, there has probably been more talk on the subject at O.R.A. meetings than on any other topic within recent years. However, the unanimous decision to support the fixture is heartening, and it is to be sincerely hoped that clubs will rally round and make it a success.

An allegation that “a lot of the trouble was due to misreporting of the letter that went forward,” made by a delegate at Monday night’s meeting, might well be cleared up here and now. The letter was only a “ long shot,” as he stated, but “ Rigger ,r does not agree with him so far as his second statement is concerned—“ too much importance has been placed on that letter and on eights or Queenstown controversy.” It is difficult to fathom that argument, for was not the attempt to alter the date proposed solely because, of Queenstown’s claims to Easter and the desire of active oarsmen to support the fixture? If not, then one may well ask why the delegate in question supported the proposal. Remarks made by another delegate, “ there has been no discussion about not holding the event,” are also open to question. Did not one harbour club—North End—in a letter tabled at an association meeting state “we consider that rather than risk losing Queenstown it would be better to have the eights shifted to another date, or if this is not possible that the rowing of them in this harbour should definitely bo abandoned ”? And was not that sentiment ■endorsed by another delegate who said he was “ almost with North End in this matter ” ? Therefore, it is most satisfactory to' find the O.R.A. displaying a ifnited front at last.

THE “LONG SHOT” CIRCULAR. The circular sent out by the O.R.A. on January 6 reads: — “ At a meeting of this association . .. a sub-committee was set up . . . to endeavour to have the date of the interprovincial race which has been allotted to Otago on Easter Saturday, altered. Our reasons for seeking this change are:—

“ (1) The difficulties in arranging transport of boats at Easter. “ (2) Difficulty in arranging accommodation in Dunedin at the reasonable rates at hotels near the rowing club. In addition to ordinary hotel bookings at Easter the inter-university tournament is to be held here and accommodation will be fully taxed, “ (3) Easter being late- it is considered by active oarsmen that good water conditions cannot be relied upon and the limited amount of daylight in late March and April militates against training operations. “ (4) Owing to some of the usual regattas being abandoned this year the oarsmen of local clubs are particularly desirous of attending the Queenstown Regatta on Easter Saturday. “ The suggested date of the race, if alteration is permitted, is March 25. “In placing these facts before you we trust that your association will fully consider them as we feel that in adhering to Easter, associations do so without considering any other date. We admit that Easter is more convenient owing to the holidays, but in view of the foregoing reasons we trust that you will agree to an alteration in the date allotted.”

How sister associations received the circular is illustrated by the following condensed replies: Canterbury: “Your letter was considered . . . and we are unanimously in favour of Easter Saturday.”

Wanganui: “ If the proposed change is adhered to representation from Wanganui will be extremely doubtful. While my association has every sympathy in the situation in which you arc placed, it desires to point out that before the race for the eights is set down for decision, Wanganui oarsmen- will have travelled to New Plymouth, Wellington, Waitara, Napier, and Picton, and to ask for further leave to travel to Dunedin other than at holiday time is out of the question, as the employers’ side must be given full consideration.” Auckland: “My executive is prepared to agree to the alteration to the date. The entry of a orew will, however, be necessarily conditional on our being able to borrow a boat and oars for the race.”

East Coast; “ This association will not be represented.” Marlborough; The letter would be considered at the next meeting. “ Personally, I feel sure that Easter will be the only date suitable for the associations to obtain representation.”—Secretary. Wellington does not favour any alteration in the date, but if there were no proposal from any other association Wellington would consider running the eights at Easter. No reply has been received from Southland. COUNCIL’S ULTIMATUM. What virtually amounts to an ultimatum came from the N.Z.A..R.A., the pertinent extracts from which are:— “ It was pointed out that, at the annual meeting of delegates of the N.Z.A.R.A., it was obvious thafiOtago’s application was successful only because the original date proposed had been amended to Easter Saturday. I have therefore been instructed to ask you to advise me within a week whether your association is still prepared to hold that contest on that date. If your association is not prepared to do so, it will be necessary for the council to offer the fixture to Canterbury for Easter Saturday.” OTAGO CLUB’S RACES.

Last week-end two Club races —the Howlison Cup single sculls and the Wright Memorial double sculls—were rowed on the Taieri River near the gorge. The racing was quite good, being up to recent standard. The cjub

thanks Mr J. Y. Love for supplying boat transport and Mr W. Dunn for the use or his launch and grounds. The results were:—

Howlison Cup, three-quarters of a mile.—First heat: Lysaght beat Barclay by two lengths. Second heat: Davidson beat Brough by two lengths. Third heat: Grant neat Patterson by one length. Semi-final: Lysaght beat White by two and a-ha!f lengths; Davidson beat Grant by one length. Final; Lysaght beat Davidson by two lengths. Both men got a good start, but bad steering by Davidson took him on to a sand bank. Lysaght made a very sporting gesture in waiting until his opponent recovered deep water. Lysaght won by two lengths in 4min 2sec.

Wright Memorial, three-quarters of a mile.—First heat: Caradlus and Barclay beat Vallis and Williams. Second heat: R. Marshall and Moore beat Lyons and Harvey, Third heat: Patterson and L. Marshall beat Davidson and Irvine. Fourth heat: Lysaght and Baird beat White and Grant. Semi-nnal: R. Marshall andl More beat Caradus and Barclay; Patterson and L. Marshall beat Lysaght and Baird Final: R. Marshall and Moore beat Patterson and L. Marshall. Wilson fours, rowed last Saturday in fair water, found four crews competing. A side jobble hampered crews over the last mile. _ Youths were on the inside, then juniors, seniors, and maidens. The youths got a good start and were followed out by seniors, juniors, and maidens. Rowing at 32, the seniors were half a length ahead of the juniors at the half-mile, the lafter stroking 30 to the minute, with the maidens a length back and youths last. Coming into the basin the order was seniors, maidens, juniors, youths, and this order was maintained until the finish. Under the sealed handicap the maidens won by 1 2-ssec from youths, with seniors (7sec) third. Time, 16min 4SeC * WAIHOLA CORRECTION. An incorrect result at the Waihola regatta placed the wrong Port crew as victorious in the senior sculls. Mitchell and Abernethy were the winners.