ROWING MATTERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10523, 26 February 1920, Page 8

ROWING MATTERS

PROPOSED REGATTA DIFFICULTY IN RAISING NECESSARY FUNDS. A proposal that a Wellington regatta be held during Easter week was discussed last night at a mooting of members of the W ellingtou Rowing Club and Star Boating Club. AD F. H. G. Galvin, wno presided, pointed out that no regatta iiud been Held during the war period, and said that it was now, high tune to attempt to again place tho. sport of rowing on a decent footing in Wellington. At one time the big regatta, he.d on Anniversary Day, was the sporting event of tne year, but for a long time, past it had been out of general public favour, solely because it was handicapped in tho matter of finance, it was now up to the members of the local clubs to work ’enthusiastically, and so imbue the townspeople with a love of the sport, and no better method to that end could bo adopted than the holding of a. regaltta. Tho question was discussed recently at a meeting of delegates, and the opinion was then expressed that if a regatta were held the venue should be Ketone, and the time Carnival Week at Easter. He thought this a good suggestion, because the association was desperately short of funds (its cash credit stood at about £8), and it would be necessary to have the support of the carnival committee in the matter of raising £lO0 —an amount which should be in band for prize money. He had suggested to Air Ford, of the suburban club, that Petoue might find £SO, but Air Ford thought that £2O would probably be the limit. In the padt the moneys had been subscribed by shipping companies, a few prominent firms, old supporters of the club, and the members themselves, and even then it was hard work to accumulate the required amount. Owing to the many calls that had been made on firms during tho war period, many of them had to ’’shut down” on subscription lists, and therefore he anticipated that the association might have some difficulty in getting the £IOO. Members would realise, therefore, that if they approved of a regatta being held ft would be necessary for every one to work enthusiastically. If they would do that then there was no need to worry about the success of the venture. Wanganui clubs and ’southern clubs had .intimated that they would take part if an adequate meeting were held, and he had no doubt but that Nelson and Marlborough clubs would do likewise. True, there had been some talk of the latter clubs holding a regatta at Easter, but as one was hold by them at New Year time, he believed they would be prepared to stand down and assist afc the Wellington event. He woiild move: "That this meeting recommends the delegates -of the Wellington Rowing Club and Star Boating Club on the Wellington Rowing Association be instructed to arrange for the holding of a Wellington regatta at Petone during Easter week; and that this meeting pledges itself to give strong and, active support to the project.” . ' Mr D. Godfrey, captain of tho Wellington Rowing'Club, seconded the motion, which was carried unanimous]y. The matter will be further discussed and a final decision reached at a meeting of the association, to bo held to-night..