SMOKE CONCERT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11396, 13 April 1899, Page 6

SMOKE CONCERT.

A smoke concert, under the auspices of tho Otago Rowing Association, was held last night, in the Dunedin Amateur Boating Club's Hall, which had been kindly placed at the .disposal of the association by the club. There was a very.large attendance of those interested iv rowing matter?, and among those present wero delegates from a number of other associations. Mr C. P. M. Butterworth, -presidont,.pf the association, occupied the chair, and at his request tho Secretary (Mr Stables) read apologies for non-atten-danco .from ,Mr T.. Hoe-.: president of the Ravensbourne' Boating Club'; Dr Pulton, president of -the'-Dunedin- Cycling Club; and Mr J.'.'f. Kingston, secretary of the Dunedin Amateur Athletic' Club. '

The toast of ■'■'The Queen " having been honoured, and a song sung by Mr Morton, Tho Chairman said he.would liko to make a few remarks on the past Beason. Since the season began the entries for races wero numerous, the contests were good, and the men Incited the whole thing;up splendidly. Thoy had a record number1, of entries, and a corresponding record of prize money to bring home, which was eminently satisfactory.—(Hear, liear). There had been two novelties during tho season, the ono boing the 'eight-oared tournament, tho first held in New Zealand, and the other the change of course from the Bay to Henley. He thought that at Henley thoy could have good rowing, and give a good day's sport to the public. They w'cre blessed with good weather there, everything went off. well, and they got a profit to the balance sheet, and not a bogus-profit either. Ho had been very lucky during his term of presidency. He had had a good committee, .and that committee had'been well supported by rowing men. Referring to the matter of prizo money,.He said it was a. good thing in its way, but. eport was better, and what they wanted in rowing was sport. A committee could not carry on a' regatta unless thoy wore well supported in the matter bf entries, and his idea was that every club should send a crew for every race. >" He hoped they would tako this into serious consideration, and send crews, whether they had a prospect of winning or- not. An instance of what could; be done in this direction was given by tho D.A.8.C., whip had. entered for 153 races, and the result was that they could now put a good crew into the contests' with every prospect of winning. Referring again to the Henley course, he said he thought that some day they might go tho length of building, a shed, and having accommodation for members, but of course they wanted-the funds first. ' Song by MfSwaii. . 'The Chairman said;lhey had now come to the real business of the evening, which was to make a presentation lo Mr, John "White:—(Applause.) ' There, was .no language -adequate to to th..occasion,'.for. -they must bear in mind lhal;Mr .WhitGjliad brought rowing in Otago to the position il /now-occupied.—(Applause.) They must bear in mind tliat ho had guided' the association through its troubles since it ivas formed. ,H_ .had framed its;ruh__,.-an'd-kept them, free from professionalism, which was a' wonderful performance, and unique' iii athletics. Shortly, he was, the best beloved friend in, rowing circle.; They -would therefore ask him to accept the travelling trunk, which bore .the inscription: " Presented"to John White, Uso,., by the - Otago Bowing Association, 1893-1898, by the rowing clubs in Otago," and in doing so wish him eveiy happiness. ,-.'-.

Mr White, who was received 'with applause, said ho was not usually considered a nervous man, but on that occasion words failed -him to express his feelings; no words could.ade-. quatoly express his" thanks for Iho reception that.had been accorded him that evening. The chairman- had laid .considerable stress upon the word "old' in referring to him, but it had been followed by the'word "friend"with still more emphasis, and' there were no words with which ho (Mr White) could-express his thanks to him.,-and thorio present. He was not entitled to all,the, credit which had been given him. lie had not. framed the rules. He.did not know that hp was a. party to the framing of them.—("Oh, yes.") Well, perhaps, he had something to do with them. During Iris-.'connection with the association, and.with rowing men, there had never been an unkind word said or an unpleasant feeling. The chairman had boen congratulating himself upon, having a .good committee, and he (Mr While) could also congratulate himself upon having been associated with real good fellows all the time thht he had been connected with the association. 7 He would say they wero good.fellows beoaus.'fhoy were.essentially unselfish, though,' of' course, "• they were ' eager that their club should" win. . It was with pleasure that ho had hoard Mr Butterworth say that the. yeai-had been so successful, and that there was' a credit balance. Ih his time they were : never. blessed with a very great balance, and a good deal of the funds went in entertainment..-'- He 'would take' care that whon he, was travelling that those who inquired should' know' that" the trunk had come from-rowing men in Otagb.—Loud and continued applause.) -

Mr : J. A. Millar, M:H.R., proposed the toast of tiie Rowing: "Association of Otago. They had two essentials: in .rowing in :.Otago, the Rowing Association, and good rowing men to back them up. .To judge from ■ the results achieved Hie association merited nothing but commendation, from him and from those connected with rowing., It was not'so long ago that the old batswing was to be seen here. In 1892 this association was formed, and ever since rowing had developed and interest was shown in: it. by the public. He expressed a hope that'many eight-oared crews might be seen rowing in the harbour, and that a spirit of rivalry might intluee olher clubs to get;, the boats. Ho was confident that in no other part of New, Zealand could a championship regatta have been carried on better than it had been here; Otago. had been.head and shoulders above any other part in the matter of rowing. In 1895,,.1896, and 1897, they owned, the champion four 'in the colony: in 1893, 1895; and 1897, they,had the champion'scullor of the colony; and in 1898 the champion double sculls were theirs. , .

Mr Leslie Wilson responded to the toast, which was drunk with much enthusiasm, and in doing so traced the growth of the association." -As far sis the boats now owned were concerned, he did not- think they would find better in the world.-;

Mr Whito then presented the cup won in the eight-oared contest, and in doing so referred to Mr Butterworth as having been instrumental in getting it. He mentioned the conditions under which it was to be held, pending the winning of it by any other club. The winning crew were also presented with handsome badges—an oar, with " 0.R.A." on them.

The prizes won ;at the Henley Regatta w.re then presented,, the winners being heartily cheered. Mr Myers proposed " Kindred Sports." the toast being responded to by Mi J. M. Callaway'(football), Mr.A. 11. Fisher (cricket), Mr W. L. Hooper (running), Mr F. C. Liggins (gymnastics), Mr W..Begg (eycliust. Mr E. H. Moeller (swimming). Mr I. J. Stilling (golf), and Mr P. H. Campbell (athletics). Mr J. Hutchison proposed the New ZealaiK- A.R.A... to which Mr James replied. In addition ,to those already mentioned, songs were given by Messrs' Priest," Crawford, and' Myers, and votes of thanks to the D.A.B.C. for the use. of their hall.to the president (Mr Butterworth), arid the. singing of "Auld Lang Syne" concluded.a very pleasant evening.