NEW ZEALAND ROWING ASSOCIATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5732, 30 October 1905, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND ROWING ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. Tbo eighteenth annual meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association was bold on Saturday evening. There wore present tho following delegates:—Auckland, Mr E. T. Gould; Canterbury, Mr W. Coffey; Hawke's Bay, Messrs A. Sclanders and N. K. Sinytbe; Marlborough, Mr H. K. Jeffries; Nelson, Mr A. D. Bnyfcild; Otago, Messrs J. B. Donald, R. D. Isaacs, and R. IV. McVilly; Southland, Mr A, M. Burns; Wanganui, Air G. Lauclilan; Wellington, Messrs A. Anderson, D. R. AXenzics, and C. W. Neil sou. Air R. W. McVilly was voted to the chair. ANNUAL REPORT. Tho annual report stated;—There arc now forty-three clubs affiliated to the association, representing 261(1 active paying members. During the season the it la Ora and Riverton Clubs amalgamated, tho Horowhenua Club resigned its membership, and tho Ocean Beach Club became defunct. Tho Alokau Club was admitted. Tho membership, therefore, now consists of:—Auckland—Auckland, Hauraki, Ngaruawahia, North Shore, St. George, Waitemata, West End. Canterbury— Aharon, Avon, Canterbury, Christchurch Amateur, Cure, Lyttelton, Tiimiru, Union. Hawke’s Bay—Gisborne, Napier, Poverty Bay, Union. Marlborough—Blenheim, Picton. Nelson—Kawatiri, Nelson. Otago—Dunedin Amateur, North. End, , Oamaru, Otago, Port Chalmers, Queen’s Drive. Southland—Awarna, Invercargill Railway, Riverton. Wanganui—Ananioho, Clifton, Alokau, Tikorangi, Union, Waitara, Wanganui. Wellington—Petoue, Star, Wellington. Following on tho instructions cf tho delegates at the last annual meeting, communications passed with tho Now South Wales, Victorian, Queensland, Northern Tasmanian, Southern Tasmanian, and South Australian Rowing Associations with a view to securing representation from one of these States at tho championship regatta; but, although there was a general desire expressed in favour of the proposal, it was not found practicable in this instance. During tho season two cases came before tho Council, where, through tho non-observance of the constitution, certain members forfeited their amateur status. Alessrs Peter Campbell and Thomas Thompson, of tile Timaru Club, competed in a wlialoboat race at Timaru in December, 1903, for a cash prize, and in tho other instance Alessrs G. Smith, D. MacDonald, A. MacDonald, and W. Clark, of Port Chalmers. competed for a money prize as members of the crew of tho s.s. Y/aikaro during tho annual West Coast Sounds excursion in January. In addition to tho appeal of tho Wellington Club, already mentioned in connection with tho race for the Champion Pairs, an appeal was considered from tho West End Club against the decision of tho Auckland Association on a protest lodged by the North Shore and Waitemata Cl übs West End Club in tile race for the Open Junior Fours at tho Ngaruawahia Regatta. From tho evidence submitted it appeared that protests were lodged by tho North Shore and Waitemata Clubs against West End for fouls that wore alleged to have taken place during the race. The umpire, in his statements, nia,do it clear that lie found it impossible to umpire from tho starter’s launch after the boats had proceeded iuore than about 300 yards, and therefore appointed ' a substitute stationed on a bridge towards tho end of tho course to act for him, and, as tho result of the iatter’s observations, ho disqualified tho West End and Waitemata Clubs, and ordered tho North Shore and St. George’s crews to race again. Although tho protest was lodged at the conclusion the race, tho umpire did not give iiis decision until tho expiry of four days. Tho council decided;— That it is apparent the protest was not nuido in the manner proscriliod by law 9, and consequently was not in order, and should not have been adjudicated upon; that an umpire has not the power to delegate any of his functions to a substitute: that, apart from the above irregularity, law 17 was not,complied with; that, tho protest having boon informal, subsequent proceedings were .“ultra vires”; that tho Auckland Association was in error in deciding the appeal under law 18, inasmuch as tho question involved was a matter of law, and not a question of fact; that, in tile opinion of this council, the appeal must bo allowed, and the placing of the boats by the judges adhered to. Tho Canterbury Association asked for a decision from the council in .regard to the refusal of the Lyttelton Regatta Committee to accept the ruling of the Canterbury Association in reference to tho placing of the boats in tho race for the Senior Pairs at tho Lyttelton Regatta on January Ist, 1901.,, The evidence submitted proved that the association were guided by tho decision of tho umpires, and, after consideration, it was resolved—“ That tho council endorse tho action of tho Canterbury Association in notifying the regatta committee to pay tho first prizemoney to tho Canterbury and second to Akaroa Clubs.” The balance-sheet discloses a satisfactory' financial position, the balance to credit being £52 13s 3d, without any liabilities. . ,

Owing to several local associations failing to resnond to the request for a list of regattas held under their jurisdiction during tho season, the council regrets that it is not in v a position to supply a certified' list; hut, so far as can be ascertained, the following regattas were held under the rules of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association Auckland. Ngaruawahia, Mercer, Waitara, Wanganui, Wellington, Pioton, Blenheim. Lvttelton, Christchurch, Otago, Port Chalmers, Bluff, Riverton, and Ravensboumo. Tho report and balance-sheet wore adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

The following officers were elected;— President, Mr R. Heaton Rhodes (Christchurch); vice-presidents, Messrs H. A. Marriner (Auckland) and Leslie R. Wilson (Dunedin); council, Messrs G. F. 0. Campbell, B. D. Isaacs, E. W. McVilly, A. D. Bayfeild, G. Lauchlan, D. R. Mcnzies, and W. Coffey; hon secretary and treasurer, 'Mr N. Galgraith (re-elected); auditor, Mr G. Faohe (re-elected). Mr Galbraith, in taking office again, said he thought it was now generally agreed that the local association, about which there had been so much .difficulty, had turned out a success. He strongly urged the association to fix a permanent championship course, and. in his opinion, Picton was the place for it. ALTERATIONS OP RULES. Mr Coffey (Canterbury) moved that the definition of a maiden boat in the maiden fours, maiden pairs, and douhlcscullens be-deleted, leaving it open to clubs to us© lighter boats than the defi-

nition if they could. The weighing of boats was awkward', especially if the regatta was held away from the cities, and it could very well bo dispensed with. The specifications of boats were very complete, and as long as they were complied with, the weight of the boat was immaterial. The Canterbury Association’s experience of weighing was not at all satisfactory, and if the rule were strictly enforced at regattas where lead ballast was not obtainable, some crows might be debarred. . Mr Galbraith contended that no matter what weight a boat was, if it agreed with the specifications there, would bo a uniform stability. A light, crew would always bo at a disadvantage in a heavy boat, and be favoured allowing lighter boats to bo used. Mr Isaacs opposed the motion. " Mr McVilly considered it was entirely a mistake to fix weights for boats, but it would inflict hardship on loss wealthy clubs to make any sudden eba-nge. Mr Bayfeild opposed. The motion was defeated by 16 votes to C, i CHAMPIONSHIP COURSE. Applications were received from tbo Akaroa Regatta Committee and the Marlborough Rowing Association for the championship regatta to he held in their waters. Mr Coffey (Canterbury) moved that the regatta bo hold at Akaroa.'" This was seconded pro forma. Mr Jeffries (Marlborough) moved that the meeting be hold at Picton. He said it, was desired to make the champion fours a £SO event. There was a 10!-knot launch available l at Picton for the use of coaches.. Mr Bayfeild seconded the motion.. Hte believed Picton was the best course in the colony. The voting was 16 for Picton and 6 for Akaroa, Canterbury being the only association to vote for Akaroa. REINSTATEMENT. • The following applications for reinstatement as amateurs were dealt with : • —Thomas Thompson, Timarn, refused ; Peter Campbell, Timaru, refused; George Smith, PdH Chalmers, granted; D. MacDonald, Port Chalmers, granted. In the two latter cases the evidence showed that the men had been misled as to their position in competing for money prizes during the Waikaro excursion.

Canterbury’s motion, that coats (in addition to caps and badges) bo given to winners of championship events, was deferred for notice, as it involved amendment of the rules. It was decided to endeavour to get representation from Now South Wales and Victoria at championship regattas.

An honorarium of £lO 10n was voted to the secretary.