ROWING SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22399, 21 April 1936, Page 16

ROWING SEASON

ANNUAL EIGHT-OAR RACE INTER-PROVINCIAL CONTEST OTAGO'S REMARKABLE RECORD Sinco its inaugi.ration in 1928 the annual inter-provincial eight-oar conlost lias steadily grown in popularity. This year seven crews competed, the solo absentee being Southland, where dissension among delegates in the selecting of the eight culminated in the centre not being represented. Otago has won the coveted title on no fewer than six occasions, Wanganui twice and Canterbury once. Otago, furthermore, lias been runner-up on the three occasions on which it has had to accept defeat, a truly remarkable record. Members of the successful Otago crew are: —J. I'. Vallis, ]2st. ]2U). (stroke); J. D. Solomon, list. Bib.; A. Hogan, 12st. 31b.; P. E. Verngree'n. list. 81b.; G. Mitchell, lOst. 91b.; L. Pithie, list. 51b.; C. Neilson, lOst. 81b.; G. R. Thome, lOst. 71b.; R. Underwood, cox. The crew was trained by H. Pritchard, a former Otago representative. The initial contest in 1928, held on the Korakora course, Wellington, over a two and a-half miles journey, saw Canterbury successful, with Otago second and Marlborough third. Auckland also started, while Wellington had its craft damaged bet ore the race. The following year, at Corsair 13a.v Lyttelton, Otago reversed its position with Canterbury, with Wellington in third berth, Marlborough swamping. The race has been staged at Auckland only once, in 1930, when a course of three miles and 500 yds at the Whau Estuary was used, Otago scoring its second victory from Marlborough, Auckland and Wellington. For the next three years, 1931-32-33, at Punedin, Picton and Wellington respectively, Otago maintained its winning record. Two years ago, at Wellington, however, Wanganui rose to great heights and, in a thrilling finish, defeated the champions by six feet. At Dunedin last year Wanganui retained the title, with Otago second and Auckland, represented by the Tauranga crew, third. The race, however, was notable for a number of swainpings, both Canterbury and Wellington meeting this fate. Nevertheless. Wanganui deserved its victory. The nearest an Auckland crew has finished is second, which position it filled in 1933. Auckland has finished third twice, in 1931 and 1935.

UNIVERSITY RACE

CANTERBURY'S FOURTH WIN

University rowing in New Zealand had its genesis in 1927, and to a few Auckland enthusiasts must bo given the credit for the present popular inter-college contest. Ihe race was rowed in clinker fours on what is now the waterfront road course, Victoria College (Wellington) and Auckland being the only starters. The Auckland crew comprised W. J. Lowe, L. E. Brooker, C. T. Keegau and C. H. Hunt, while in the Victoria College crow weio Mullins, the well-known Wellington champion oarsman, and Platts Mills, who subsequently was selected for Oxford in 1931. but unfortunately, at the last moment, was prevented bv illness from rowing. Victoria won in a re-row after Auckland had swamped the first time. The outcome of this contest was the formation of rowing clubs at the two colleges, and an eight-oar contest between them the following year at Wellington, Victoria repeating its success. In that season the New Zealand University was the recipient of a handsome carved shield from Misses Hebberlev, of Victoria University College, for annual competition among eightoar crews from the four universities. Results of the race have, been:— 1928, Victoria; 1929, Victoria; 1930, Canterbury. 1931, Victoria; 1932, Canterbury; 1933, Canterbury; Auckland; 1935, Auckland; 1936, CanI terbury.