AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10423, 22 April 1897, Page 6

AQUATICS.

REVIVAL OP ROWING. A meeting was held at th« Waitemata Hotel last night to consider the best means of reviving as interest in rowing in Auckland. Representatives from the West End, Auckland, St. George's, and Waitara Clubs were present. Mr. McHardy (captain of the St. George'* Rowing Club) was voted to the chair. Mr. C. C. Dacre, who had called the meeting, stated that the sole object he had in view was to revive an interest in the sport, which of late years seemed to have died a natural death. His idea was that something should be done to form an association in Auckland to control rowing matters, including all the clubs in the North Island. By the | formation of a local association he thought that the gains would be considerable, both financially and otherwise. If a local association was formed his opinion was that the regattas would be greatly helped. He had nothing definite to propose, but his opinion was that if an association was formed, embracing the whole of the North Island, much good would ensue for rowing in general. Mr. Gavin (captain of the Hauraki Rowing Club) said that the Thames people would assist in every way for a revival of interest in rowing, but at the same time races for whaleboats would have to be fully considered. The Thames was not fitted for gig racing, as previous experiences had demonstrated. If an association was formed in Auckland the Thames would cordially support it, provided that every consideration was given to whaleboat racing. Mr. John Clark (captain of the West End Rowing Club) said that his club was strongly opposed to whaleboat racing, and the committee would not consider that part of the question for a moment. At the same time his club was quite prepared to do everything possible to assist anything that would tend to a revival of rowing in Auckland. Last season has been an unfortunate one for gig racing in Auckland, and probably West End > had bten the greatest sufferers. His opinion was that if clubs wished to keep both a gig and whaleboat plant available, the annual subscription would have to be raised. Mr. Edgcumbe (thought a good deal of consideration would have to be given to gig racing, considering the large amount of money invested by the various clubs in the city. Mr. McHardy pointed out that the previous Association in Auckland had been a failure, and he would like to know if there was an j prospect of a more successful issue if the Association was re-formed. Mr. Wallace was of thi opinion that unless some better advantages were offered the clubs affiliated to the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association would not forsake the latter institution. If the proposal was to work in harmony with the Southern Association, he did not doubt but that all the clubs would assist in forming the new Association. After a considerable amount of discussion it was ultimately decided that a committee consisting of one delegate from the West End, Auckland, St. George's, North Shore, Waite-mata-City, and Hauraki Rowing Clubs should meet on Wednesday night next and formulate a scheme to be submitted to afurther meeting. Mr. C. C. Dacre was appointed to represent the Thames district on the committee.