NEW ZEALAND AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 3327, 8 January 1898, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND AMATEUR ROWING ASSOCIATION.

A special general meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Bowing Association was held at the Trooadero Booms last evening, Mr G. P. G. Campbell being in the chair. There was only a moderate attendance of delegates. Mr J. P. Collins, representing the Awarua Boating Club (Bluff), moved, “That maiden four-oared races be rowed in inrigged boats instead of outrigged.” The motion was strongly opposed by Messrs G. H. Bethune (Stars), G. U. Fabhe (Queen’s Drive), J. G. Buie (Cure) and A. M; Burns (Invercargill Eailway), on the ground that it would be a distinctly retrograde step to revert to inrigged rowing, and that it would also be in direct contravention of the constitution of the Association, which set out that one of the objects of the Association was “to encourage the use of boats best calculated to secure scientific oarsmanship.”

Messrs J. E. Gibbons and T. H. Hanna, delegates of the West End Bowing Club, Auckland, urged the adoption of the innovation, the former stating that if it were given effect to the club would send a crew to compote in the maiden race at the next Championship Eegatta. On a division the motion was lost by 27 votes to 11.

The Horowhenua Boating Club and Ngaruawahia Bowing Club were admitted to membership of the Association. Mr S. L. Partridge, Union Bowing Club, Christchurch, moved, " That the resolution passed at the half-yearly meeting at Pioton relating to the Championship Eegatta being held not later than the 17th March in each year be rescinded.” This was agreed to on the voices. • Mr Partridge also moved, “That the Championship Eegatta be held not later than 31st March in each year.” Mr Bethune opposed the motion, and urged that it be withdrawn, so that the Association would be left a free baud in the selection of a date for future championship regattas. Mr Partridge said he was acting under instructions from his club, but his own personal feelings were in agreement with the views expressed by Mr Bethune. Eventually Mr Partridge agreed to withdraw the motion, Mr J. A. McKinnon, Port Chalmers Bowing Club, moved for the reinstatement as amateurs of Messrs James and George Holden. , ~ . ..

Mr Bethune pointed out that these men had been refused classification as amateurs by the annual meeting of tho Association, and he contended that as no new facts had been brought forward, this meeting should not interfere in the matter. He moved as an amendment “That the applications be postponed until the next annual meeting of tho Association.” Mr Burns seconded the amendment, which was carried on the voices.

Mr W. Boss (Wellington Bowing Club) moved that the local officer of the Association at Invercargill be asked to furnish a report concerning an incident which was alleged to have occurred at the Bluff Begatta on Hew Tear’s Day in the race for the Senior Fours. The facts, as stated in the press, were that the Port Chalmers Club’s junior crew, which competed in ,the race, stopped rowing when holding a substantial lead, and allowed the next„crew to pass them and win. The obvious suggestion was that the Port Chalmers crew did not wish to win because, by doing so, they would lose their junior status and become seniors.

Mr Burns said that Keenan, stroke of the Port Chalmers crew, had written to the Invercargill papers denying that the crew had wilfully lost the race, and explaining that their sudden stoppage towards the finish was caused by an accident to one of the stretchers of the boat.

Several delegates expressed tiio opinion that, despite Keenan’s explanation, the matter shbilld, id the interests of the purity of the sport, be enquired into, and the motion was carried by 29 votes to 9. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.