ROWING EVENTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23810, 11 November 1940, Page 3

ROWING EVENTS

OPENING OF THE SEASON AUCKLAND CLUB'S FUNCTION The Auckland Rowing Club's 72nd season was officially opened on Saturday afternoon with the old members' day. there being a large attendance at the clubhouse. Among the old members were Major "\Y ood and Messrs. F. O'-Yleara, S. Desmond," 31. Docherty and G. Andrews. Hiere were also representatives fronr the Air Force,- Waitemata and St. George's clubs' The club captain, Mr. H. T. Jellie, in welcoming the visitors, made reference to the difficulties which lay before the club. Of the as members on the active list last season lo- were already in the forces and another 10 were waiting to be called up. It was. however, the privilege of such sports as rowing, as well as their Joss, that so many of their members should be called upon in times like the present. He appealed to all old members to do everything possible in the way of introducing nev< members to the club. Reference was made to the death of PilotOfficer T. R. Murfitt, a member of the club, who was killed recently while on active service with the Royal Air Force. As a tribute of respect the members and visitors stood in silence for a few moments. '1 be season was declared open by Mr. Frank O'Meara. who was captain of the club in 1807. He referred to the wonderful club spirit which had always existed, and said he felt sure that nil old members would rally around to keep the club active for the younger men when they returned from the war. On behalf of (he members, he presented a silver token to Keith King, who is shortly going overseas with the Royal Air Force. Trial fours were then rowed on a course finishing in front of the rlubhouse, so that the visitors could see the race from the start to the finish. The result was:—S. Anderson (str), G. Hewlett, K. Weber, R. Sliearer, 1; F. Richardson (sir), C. Brierley, R. Kenny, P.. Hall. 0; O. Cossey (sir). M. Holland. D. Mills, G. Oxspring, :}. At the halfway, mark Anderson and Richardson drew away, and Anderson gradually took the lead to win by half a length, with a length between second and third. Waitemata Glub.—Members competed in trial fours for trophies presented by Mr. Hugh Wright, a vice-president. The course was alontr the Tamaki Drive and, although the crews appeared to be affected by the southwesterly wind across the open part of Hobson Bay, the finishing part of the course, from Point Resolution to the Akarana clubhouse, was quite calm. Mr. R. G. Barker was starter and Jlr. P. Usher judge. Four crews competed. the results being:—First beat: C. IT. Cairns (str), P. Fraser. R. Steele, M. Mitchell, 1; R. Mikkelson, If. Cooney, A. Couchman. D. Mitchell, '2. After covering about one-quarter of the distance, Mikklesoti had a slight advantage, but then one of his crew came off his seat and the boat dropped behind. and Cairns won by four lensrths. Second heat: H. Spoor (str), M. Alison. T. Fitzgerald, B. Schmidt, 1; W. MeGechic, M. Fitzgerald, R. Ockelford, I. Gray, 2. At the halfway mark McOechie was slightly in front, but on the straight run to the finish Spoor quickened his stroke and von by half a length. Final: Cairns and Spoor met in the final. They raced stroke for stroke for over half the distance, when Cairns gradually drew ahead to win by two lengths. Jubilee Club. —The season for the Jubilee Club was officially opened on Saturday by the president. Mr. D. McPhee, at a function which was well attended by members and friends. Mr. McPhee said that during the ensuing season the members would compete for club trophies. He felt sure that the decision to suspend racing last season, in order to devote more time to coaching, would have a beneficial effect and that some good races should result. Trial fours had been arranged, but owing to the illness of some of the men a pair-oar race was rowed instead. The crews were:—S. Pender (str), J'. Short; S. .Lambert (str). A. Lawson. They raced for over half the cotir?e when Lambert's swivel broke and he had to stop.