PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR OARSMEN.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4211, 18 September 1874, Page 3

PROFESSIONAL AND AMATEUR OARSMEN.

TO THE EDITOIt. Sin, —I do not think that the reply which you were good enough to give to “Stroke Oar’ upon, thin subject is sufficiently definite. It certainly is a very important question to rowing men ; hut the question itself has never caused half so much difficulty in solving as the moans of proving whether certain intending competitors arc or are not disqualified to row for public money offered as prizes at regattas. My experience is that any man who has won money by his exertions upon such occasions, and appropriated it to his own private uses, can never again be considered as an amateur oarsmen; but on the other hand, a man who has been presented with any number'of cups, of ever so great a value, merely as a record of his success in various events, or who has received prizes or shares of prizes solely for the benefit of his club or any general fund in support of the rowing and has never prostituted his skill and physical powerrowing for mercenary ends, cannot in be prevented from entering for any

amateur race in the world, and it maybe taken for granted that such a one would never take an unfair advantage of inexperienced oarsmen, but would only oppose himself to those who would he worthy antagonists.—l am, &c., Oliver Wakefield, Hon. Sec., Star Club. Sept. 17. .