PORT CHALMERS ROWING CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21995, 3 July 1933, Page 3

PORT CHALMERS ROWING CLUB

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS

REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING OF OARSMEN

Present-day and veteran oarsmen from every rowing chib on the harbour attended a gathering held in the Garrison Hall on Saturday night to mark the diamond jubilee of the Port Chalmers Rowing Club. It was a notable function in many respects, as it brought together a largo assemblage of well-known oarsmen, and gave the veterans an opportunity to talk over strenuous contests in which they participated in the seventies, eighties, and nineties, and also in the early part of the present century. About 25 veterans who were members of the club before 1893 were honoured by being seated at the chairman's table. Among those present were the Mayor of Port Chalmers (Mr J. Watson), officials of the Otago Rowing Association, and several members of the Otago champion eight-oar crew. The president of the Port Chalniers Rowing Club (Mr J. Y. Love) presided, and extended a hearty welcome to all present. The chairman said ho felt it a great honour to preside over such a notable gathering of members and past members of the Port Chalmers Rowing Club, together with visitors from other clubs, who had come to assist them to celebrate fittingly the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the club. It was pleasing to see so many of the old members present, and equally pleasing to read the numerous letters from those who could not •be present that night. He asked all preaent to stand for a few moments in silence in honour of those founders and early members who had rowed their last race. In reviewing the 60 years of activity behind the club he felt that they had a record to be proud of. The record was an example that the young members must strive to emulate. The sport of rowing had ever been one of keen rivalry between- the pick of the youth of Port Chalmers. The personal gain wa« nil, and, therefore, they enjoyed sport in its cleanest and best sense. He had never yet known of a rowing race that was not fought to a finish. Rowing men had long ago learned that it was not only the winners who made the race, but also the good losers. The chairman mentioned that he did not have a complete list of the early members of the club, but he felt that the habits of healthy rivalry, clean living, concentration on training, and playing the game for the sake of the game learned in their youth in the Port Chalmers Club must have had something to ,do with the shaping of the careers of those members. The qualities he had mentioned had been displayed many times. When Arthur Bauchop led bis battalion at Gallipoli, his only concern was to know that he had played the game, and Mr W. Platts had shown the same qualities in rising to a position of great responsibility, and Mr John Mill likewise rose from the ranks to be a master of commerce. It was the same principles that made Mr C. Colthorpe the trusted servant of his employers, and so to train his son that by the unanimous vote of his clubmates he had been made a life member of the club at an early age. The early records of the club were being carefully assembled at the present time, and would be printed in book form. Rowing in the early years of the club, said Mr "Love, called for a great deal of sacrifice on the part of the limited members. The purchase and upkeep of the plant was a serious item, and it still was, and in that connection he wished to record his appreciation of the present-day members in having a first-class fleet of boats and a good shed, together with a sound bank balance. In glancing over the records he bad found so many names of prominent members that he could not mention them that night. In conclusion, Mr Love wished the club continued prosperity in the future. , . . , Mr W. L. Hooper related many interesting incidents associated with the early rpwiuK days of the club. He said the Port Chalmers regatta was a notable mstitution in those days, and the. Port Chalmers Club, with which he rowed for two years, did well. ’ ■ , Mr T. F. Mackie proposed the toast of “The New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association.” He said he was sure every man 1 connected with the sport of rowing was a sportsman in every respect. The controlling body was composed of men whose active rowing days were over, and who w r ere now devoting their time to the advancement of the sport; He could say without any fear of contradiction that New Zealand compared more than favourably with any part of the world so far as the standard of rowing -was concerned. The toast was replied to by Mr W. G. Glengarry, of the Otago Rowing Associatl<The toast of “ The Otago Rowing Association” was, proposed by Mr J. Solomon captain of the Port Chalmers Rowing Club and the Otago representative in tho New Zealand Olympic crew. _ He said that perhaps all rowing men in Otago did not realise all the important work the Otago Association had done and was doing for oarsmen. The association had worked hard for the good of the .sport and in the interest of the rowers. Ihe association had seen fit to send representative eight-oar crews away during the past six years, and the crew had met with great success. The Otago Association was looked upon as the m6st live rowing body in New Zealand, and Otago oarsmen should look up to it. The toast was replied to by Mr C. K. Caffin (president of the Otago Rowing Association). He said it was a great pleasure to he present on such a memorable occasion. The Otago Rowing Association was founded in 1893. Rowing had advanced to ’such a stage in that year that it was realised the time had arrived when a controlling body should be brought into being. The members of the association did all in their power to encourage and foster rowing, and the association had sent an eight-oar crew away for the past six years without any expense to the affiliated clubs. The result had shown that the association had done the .right thing and had picked tho right crews. A record of like wins by the Otago crew in succession was a great credit to the oarsmen and to the province of Otago. Mr Caffin said he felt honoured to bo president of the Otago Association when two affiliated clubs celebrated their jubilees in the same year. This was -without precedent in the history of any" sport in New Zealand, more especially as the Queen’s Drive and No'rth End Boating Clubs would celebrate their jubilees in the same year. He congratulated the Port Chalmers Club on attaining its jubilee, and wished it every prosperity in the future. The toast of the Port Chalmers Rowing Club ” was proposed by the Mayor (Mr J. Watson), in the absence of Mr W. J. Wilson. He congratulated the club on attaining its jubilee. Referring to the early days of the club, Mr Watson said he remembered all the foundation members, though he himself joined the club some years later. Tho Mayor concluded his remarks by wishing the club every success in the future.’ The toast was replied to by the chairman, old and present members of the club. , Other toasts honoured were Sister Clubs.” proposed by Mr C. Colthorpe; “ Olympic Representatives,” and the “Otago Eight-oar Crew.”

During the evening items were eon tributed by Messrs M'Dernjitt, L. Neil son, L. Pike (songs’), Vivian (recitation), and Messrs Pike (instrumentalists). ,