AQUATICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 27

AQUATICS.

THE INTERCOLONIAL CONTEST. THE NEW ZEALAND CREW. DETAILS OF THE DISPUTE. The Selection Committee of tho New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association yesterday week finally decided upon the selection of tho Blenheim Rowing Club’s crew to represent Now Zealand in tho intercolonial four-oared contest on the Parramatta River on May 23rd. Ono alteration, however, was made in the crow, in that J. CL Daly (of tho Canterbury Rowing Club) was appointed to row as No. 2in place of A. J. Maclaine. Tho committee felt that this alteration would greatly Strengthen the crew. The pcrsmnd of the crew is as follows AYi Seymour, bow j J. Y. I fitly, No. 2 ; F. Seymour, No. 3 < George Seymour, stroke. A. Warren, of the Star Boating Club has been chosen by the Selection Committee to accompany tho representative crew to Sydney to act as coxswain.

Tile blazers and jerseys for tho men are being made by the D.LC., and the caps are also being made locally. The representative colours for the blazers are maroon with white facings and monograms, and for the racing jerseys, white with maroon trimmings, and maroon fern leaf worked on left breast.

The crow will leave Wellington by the Ilauroto, for Sydney direct, on the 27th instant. This will allow of three weeks’ training on the Parramatta prior to the race. Mr G. B. Richardson, the coach and trainer of the crew will accompany the men. Ho is an old ’Varsity coach, and holds tho position of president of tho Blenheim Rowing Club.

Tho three Seymours are sons of Mr A. P. Seymour, at one time member of the House of Representatives for WaimeaPictou and Chairman of Committees in the House. ’They are line stalwart young fellows, and should worthily uphold the reputation of the Colony. Daly's name lias figured prominently in tho rowing world during the, last five or six years. Ho is known as a. finished and powerful our, and there can be no question that his inclusion has strengthened the crew. He won his champion colours in 1892, when ho rowed No. 3 in the Canterbury Rowing Club’s four which won the Champion Fours of New Zealand at tho Nelson Regatta, and it will bo remembered that less than a fortnight ago, in company with Cowlishaw, he carried oil the Champion Fairs. Daly has always been most popular in aquatic circles, and tho same remark applies to the Seymour brothers.

C. Chapman, of tho Waiwcra Rowing Club, who was selected to represent New Zealand in the Intercolonial Champion Sculls on May 23rd, telegraphed yesterday week to the Association, “ That he could not possibly get away to Sydney.” Air N, Galbraith, Die chairman of the Selection Committee, then communicated with 11. McCormick, of Pieloii (who rowed second in the Championship on Faster Monday), asking him whether he can make tho trip, find on his replying in the affirmative, McCormick was chosen to Jill Chapman's place.

At a meeting of the Otago Rowing Association, it was resolved to reply to the N.Z.A.R.A. regarding the Champion Fours : —“ Cannot agree with the action of the Council. Wo still consider the only proper course, under Dio circumstance.-;, is to decline to compete, as by sending anot her crow tho Council admits tho soundness of the Now South Wales’ contention, from which wo entirely dissent. Wo consider the Council should insist upon the ,acceptance of the champion amateur crew of New Zealand, and thus uphold its own status, and loyally support its members, and if New South Wales is still obdurate, decline to compete ; but if the Council is still determined to send another crew, we insist that Yeoman and Porter, who are at present members of the Nc.v Zealand crew, and whose status is unquestioned, should bo included. Wo maintain the Selection Committee fvnrtus officio as soon as tho selection is made.”

It was also resolved to wire tho secretary to at, once convene a meeting of delegates of the New Zealand Association at Wellington to- consider the matter. Five, local clubs worn represented. 'The Queen’s Drive representative pointed out that Yeoman had the grand record of winning seven consecutive champion races, having had a scat ill the \ icloiian champion crow. A meeting- of the Cotim d "I the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association was held on Thursday in Wellington to consider th« resolution passed by the Otago Rowing Association. There were present —Messrs A. G. Johns',n (in the chair), E. C. Bal kin, A. 18. Biss, W. 11. Field, W. Ross, L. O. H. Tripp and the honorary secretary (Mr A. M. Burns). After full discussion of the whole position the following reply was ordered to bo sent “ That this Council is of opinion that under the resolution passed unanimously at the meeting of delegates at I’icton, namely, that the question of selection of a representative four and .sculler lie left to a Selection Committee, it became the duty of that committee to take upon itself the whole lark of selection, and that v.hen if was ascertained that the first foutselected, or some members of it were ineligible, and that tho sculler first chosen was unable to obtain leave, the committee was not only acting within its powers, but was performing its plain duty in selecting other crows which it considered best fitted to represent the Colony, just in the same way as it would have been its duty to till up an individual vacancy m any crew which might havo been selected. And this Council is further of opinion that the Association should not, nor can it, interfere with the decision of the Selection Com-

mitteo, The Council further desire to point out that tho exclusion of men earning their living about boats is not part of the amateur definition of New South Wales alone, but finds a place in the amateur definition of every Australian colony. It is only just to those colonies to say that it would bo unfair to ask their crews to compete with the class of oarsmen from which they are themselves debarred from selecting their representatives. Further, the Australian definition was well known at the time this intercolonial contest was arranged, and it would be preposterous to ask for an alteration of the definition, ©r to decline to compete because the definition excluded two New Zealand oarsmen.”

“The Council desire to express their regret that there should he any bitterness of feeling among any section of the rowing men of the Colony in this matter, which is pre-eminen tiy one in which all local jealousy should be set aside and every club combine to support the impartial decision of a committee unanimously appointed by their own delegates.” LATEST. The special general meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association convened on the requisition of the Otago clubs to consider the question of the intercolonial contests was held at the Trocadero Rooms on Saturday evening. Air G. F. O. Campbell was voted to the chair. The following clubs were represented : Awanut, F. Collins ; Akaroa, L. O. H. Tripp ; Auckland, G. F. C. Campbell ; Avon, A. AI. Burns; Blenheim, F. Jlod.son and J. E. Read; Canterbury, L. O. If. Tripp; Cure, J. G. Rule; Clifton, E. C. Batkin; Dunedin Amateur, R. IV. AlcYilly; Gisborne, Dr Pollen ; Invercargill Railway, A, AI. Burns ; Invercargill, E. Collins; Jvawaliri, G. Bethnnc; Lyttelton, N. Galbraith; Napier, J. Wilson; Nelson, E. Jackson ; North End, D. A. McLennan and AY. Alclnnea; North Shore, A. S. Biss ; Port Chalmers, J. McKinnon ; Poverty Bay, Dr Pollen ; Queen’s Drive, G. C. Eache ; St. George’s,? F. Hull; Star, W. 11. Field, C. Pearce, AY. If. Alorrah and G. Bethuno; Timat-u, A. G. Johnson ; Union (Wanganui), AY. Ross; Union (Christchurch), S. L. Partridge; Union (Napier), T. Alorrison and C. id. Tringham; AYaitcniata-Cily, AI. F. Marks ; AVauganui. A. S. Biss; AVellington, AV. Ross and A. J. Bishop ; West End, A. G. Johnson; AYaibola, G. 0. Eache; Y.A1.0.A., S. L. Partridge. Mr J. AloKinnon moved, “That if tho New South Wales Rowing Association does not waive its amateur definition so as to allow the Queen’s Drive crew to compete in the intercolonial contest New Zealand declines to send a crew.”

Tho Chairman ruled this out of order while the resolution appointing a Selection Committee was still on tho minutes.

Air McKinnon thereupon withdrew his motion, and moved “ I’liat the resolution passed fit the meeting of delegates fit Picton on April 4th, leaving tho question of the selection of representative crews in the hands of a selection committee, be rescinded.” Mr Eache seconded the motion. It was well known for some time past, he said, that some of ti e Queen’s Drive men were fishermen, and yet with this knowledge the Selection Committee had sat down and coolly picked a crew knowing that it would be ineligible oil the other side. Messrs N. Galbraith and A. J. Bishop (members of the Selection Committee) said they were not aware that the Queou’s Drive men were still engaged in fishing. Air Alc.Kinnon said, although he had to move his motion according to instructions, it appeared to him that the Queen’s Drive Club, now that their own crew was barred, wanted no other crew to go. (Loud laughter, and cries of “ That’s a very honest admission.”) Air A. G. .Johnson said the present difficulty was brought about by the Queen’s Drive Club’s own officers in sending a crew that would he ineligible on Australian waters.

Air AlcYilly contended that the Selection Committee should have ascertained the status cf tho men before they selected the crow. It was a question now whether the Colony was going to have one united Rowing Association, or whether they were g,ling to see some of tho dubs secede. (A voice : That's a t hrea t.) Air AV. F. Field retorted that the delegates at the Picton meeting should also have found out the status of the mi 11. The Selection Committee had made no mistake wha I ever.

After further discussion Air Alc-Kinnou’i motion win.; put and lost by 41 votes to 1 4

Mr Mark.-, then moved “ That this meeting of delegates, whilst regretting the circumstance,'; which ha ve barred the Queen’s Drive crew as at present, constituted from representing the Colony, desire to express confidence in the Council and Selection Committee of the Association, and their approval of the action taken by them in deciding to send another crew to represent the Colony.” This was carried on the voices.

Air A. G. Johnson refuted an accusation which had appeared in the public prints that the AVollington officials had a “ set ” against Otago in this matter. Ho spoke in high terms of praise of the members of the Queen’s Drive crew. In moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Selection Committee Mr AY. Boss (AVellingtun Rowing Club) said that for the honour of the Colony the action of the Selection

Committee must bo uphold. 110 folt that his club had a greater grievance against tho committee than the Otago people had, inasmuch as ono of its crows had boa ton both Queen’s Drive and AVangamu Unions in the Senior Clinker Race, and yet all the members of that crow had been passed over. But his club recognised that the Selection Committee had done its best for the Association according to its lights, and its action must be supported and upheld by the Association. The motion was carried on the voices.

AYitli regard to the complaint of tho chairman of the Selection Committee that ho could get no reply from Mr J. Yeoman (Queen’s Drive Club), a telegram was read from the hitter stating, “ AY orbing out of town, hence delay in receiving telegrams. Quite disagree with proposal, but since Otago Association took matter up I havo awaited result.”

Mr Burns said the funds were coming in slowly, and lie hoped the balance of the required amount would be forthcoming during the week. There was a donation of £2O to come from the Otago Association, and Auckland’s contribution was on its way down. A letter was read from an old Otago resident and ex-member of tho Otago Rowing Club, promising a donation of JJ> as a protest against tint attitude of tho Otago Rowing Association.

The secretary reported that all arrangements for the trip were practically completed.

A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Batkin, Biss, Burns, Field, Read and Ross was appointed to canvass Wellington for further subscriptions towards the land. A subscription list was opened in tho room, and a sum of .£l7 11s (id collected as follows:—-E. 0. Batkin, £5 5s■ J. G. Stott, £5 ; A. S. Biss, £1 ls ; AY. IL Field, £1 Is; E. 0. 11. Tripn, £1 Is; Gisborne Rowing Club (per Dr Pollen), £1 Is; Poverty Bay Rowing Club (per Dr Pollen), £1 Is; G. C. Eache, 10s (id ; N. Galbraith, 10s (id; T. Alorrison, 10.; (id; C. Pearce, 10s (id.

Tin: secretary has also received a promise of the following additional subscriptions Canterbury Rowing Club, £lo ; N. E. Alacbeth (captain of Canterbury Roving Club), £5; E. C, Rutherford (Picton), £3 3s; W. 11. Tylce (Napier), £3; Avarua, Boating Club (Bluff), £1 Js ; Cure limiting Club (Kaiapui), £1 Is ; Akaroa Boating Club, £1 Is.

Air Hugh AleCurmick, of the Picton Rowing Club, was on Monday finally selected to represent New Zealand in tho intercolonial Sculls. He is a coming man, and with three weeks’ training and coaching over the course in a tip-top boat will easily rid himself of his few rough points.

The secretary of the Rowing Association has to acknowledge, receipt of the following additional donations towards the fund for defraying tho expenses of the representatives : —A. 11. Turnbull, Union Steam Ship Company, C. A. Knapp, John Ross, E. D. Bell, AL Chapman, £1 Is each ; A. T. Bate, D. E. Gray, A. E. Pearce, Alfred Gilbert, C. P. Skmvit, J. C. Hanna, AI. C. Barnett, Gresley Lukin, S. Dunks and A. At. Burns, 10s (id each ; A.P.B. and R.W'.P. 5s each ; W.JI.S., W.A.T., W.J.U. and L.P., 2,; Ud each : total, £l2 .11s.

Tho friends in Wellington of Air AY. G. Ataek, who is well known as deputy captain of the Union Rowing Club, (Christchurch), and who is recognised as ono of the best authorities on rowing in the Colony, will he interested to learn that on Saturday afternoon he was the recipient of a purse of sovereigns from the stall' of tho Lyttelton Times, Christchurch, and a substantial cheque from the management as a, slight token of esteem on the occasion of his approaching marriage

Tim second heat of the Port Nicholson Model Yacht Club for tho Dresden piano stool took place on Saturday afternoon, and resulted as follows : —Air If. Norton’s Thistle, 13 tons, lirst, by limn lilsec ; Air J. Bernaseoni’s Natter, JO tons, second, by A!see ; Air U. Whiteman's Wasp, 13 tons, third. The final heat is to be sailed on .Saturday next.