EMPIRE GAMES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21022, 10 May 1930, Page 14

EMPIRE GAMES.

DOMINION OARSMEN. SUPPORT FOR -SELECTORS. (Peb United Press Association.) ' BLENHEIM, May 9. The northern criticism of the selected All Black eight to row at the Empire Games, to bo held at Ontario, Canada, was brought under the notice of Mr. J. MacLaine, president of the New Zealand Rowing Association. One northern paper stated that northern rowing circles considered the strongest possible side had not been chosen and made the ominous prophecy that the financial support of oarsmen would not be forthcoming, for the reason, that the best available crew had not been chosen. Mr MacLaine strongly deprecated the criticism as an ill-timed attempt to destroy public confidence in the chosen crew, and expressed the hope that nothing would deter rowing enthusiasts from a determination to send the crew overseas. He defended the choice made by the selectors. “I think they have picked a good crew which is very representative of the Dominion’s rowing strength. Every rowing district with the of Wanganui, which did no<, compete in any big events this season, has at least one member in the 12 selected to train, and the crew finally selected will be an excellent one, and should do full justice to New Zealand.” M. MacLaine gave it as his opinion that Sandos (Hamilton) and Olsson (Picton) are two of the best oarsmen in New Zealand to-day. He added that it was practically certain the crew would be trained at Wanganui and would go into training on June 10, leaving New Zealand on July X.