GIFT OF BOATS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22610, 13 April 1948, Page 2

GIFT OF BOATS

GISBORNE TO UAWA PRACTICE CRAFT ONLY Young men of the Uawa district who have interested themselves in the resuscitation of the sport of rowing in Tolaga Bay will not be without practice opportunities when the new season starts in September next. Even if new racing craft are not obtainable by that date they will have the use of two old boats which members of the Gisborne Rowing Club last evening decided to make available as a free gift. The gift was approved by the halfyearly general meeting of the Gisborne club, on the recommendation of the executive. Mr. J. Hankey, club captain, presented the recommendation and stated that the two boats concerned had been inspected on behalf of the Uawa committee, which was confident that they could put the craft in sufficiently good order to service as practice boats. Refit for Novice Training

It was pointed out by Mr. Hankey that the boats were not in use by the Gisborne club, and would require some refitting before they could be of service to Uawa. It was felt by a majority of active oarsmen that the Toiaga Bay committee should endeavour to secure new boats in which to start their members but there was some doubt as to whether these could be obtained in time for the opening of next seasonIn any case the old boats, with some skilled work, could be made useful for novice training and should be worth while to the Uawa people on that account. , , , . , Other members of the Gisborne club agreed that novice training could advantageously be undertaken in the old craft, the gift of which might help materially to get the sport on its feet in the Tolaga Bay area. Early Start for New Season The overhaul of the Gisborne club’s own plant in readiness for next season was also discussed, and the club captain suggested that during the next fortnight preliminary stripping of the boats should be attended to. Two skilled craftsmen in the club had undertaken to carry out necessary repairs, but there was a good deal 9f other work which could be done in support of their programme, and members were requested to make a special effort to complete the overhaul in time for an early start with the 1948-49 season. It was decided to combine the annual presentation of troDhies and the newlyinstituted ladies’ night, on a date late in Mav. Another social fixture, to be held on June 19, is the club’s annual dance.