ROWING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22053, 8 September 1933, Page 16

ROWING

OTAGO ASSOCIATION A meeting of the Otago Rowing Association was held last evening. The president (Mr C. R. Caffin) was in the chair, and there was a large attendance of club delegates. EIGHT-OAR CHAMPIONSHIP. After a lengthy discussion it was finally decided to make application to the New Zealand Association for the next eightoar Dominion championship race, to be vowed on Otago Harbour. EMPIRE GAMES. A letter was received from the secretary of the New Zealand Rowing Association stating that nothing could be done in the direction of including rowing on the programme for the next Empire Games. The letter received by the Rowing Association from the British Empire Games, London, conveyed an extract from the minutes of the British Empire Games' Federation held in London on January 30 as follows:—The general opinion of the meeting was that the programme of the Gaines held in Canada should be adopted as far as possible, but it was realised that, in view of the heavy travelling expenses, the council for England might not find it possible to include rowing and bowling on the programme. It was evident that' the English Council had confirmed this, as the programme had been drawn up without inclusion of the two sections of sport named. The secretary stated that the Otago Association's letter dealing with the matter would be brought before the New Zealand Council at its next meeting. The chairman said it was evident that there would not be any rowing events on the programme at the next Empire Games to be held in London. It rested with the New Zealand Rowing Council to take any steps in the direction of having rowing events included on the programme. The Otago Association could not do anything further in the matter. The letter was received. PROPOSED AUSTRALIAN VISIT. A letter was received from the New Zealand Council in reference to a proposed visit of a New South Wales crew to New Zealand during the coming season. It was desirable, in the opinion of the council, that the crew should race in the New Zealand Eight-oar Championship, so that the visit should be timed to fit in with this event. With the support of all associations, it should be possible to arrange for a visit, from the New South Wales oarsmen. The association was asked if it was in favour of the proposal, was it desired that the visitors compete at one of the association's regattas, and, if so, what amount the association could guarantee towards the expense, and would the association assist the council in promoting the visii and contribute towards the expense even if the crew were unable to compete on Otago Harbour. ' ■ . The chairman said the. question of finance was a big tiling. He did not think • the. Otago Association-could contribute towards the expense involved in bringing the crew to New Zealand unless it competed in Dunedin. If New South Wales brought an eigbt-oar crew it would probably race at Waneanui. It would be almost impossible for the association to make a grant. It would cost a lot of money to finance the New South Wales men through New Zealand. Mr W. J. Wilson said that-if. the New South Wales oarsmen rowed in Canterbury it might be possible to hold a regatta in Otago in order to bring the visitors here. If the New South Wales crewmade the trip it would probably compete in the New Zealand Eight-oar: Championship. The 'Otago Association was not in a position to make a grant at the present time. The matter should be reconsidered at the annual meeting of the association, when the delegates • could express an opinion. If it were decided to row the Eight-oar Championship in Dunedin next year, then the association should try and get the New South Wales oarsmen to compete. Mil T. F. Mackie said it would be in the interest of rowing to support the proposed visit of the New South Wales oarsmen. It might be possible to arrange an Eight-oar Race for the visitors. Such a race would create great interest in rowing circles throughout the Dominion. It was decided to advise the New Zealand Council that the Otago Association was in favour of inviting a New South Wales crew to visit New Zealand. It was also decided to advise the council that the association could not/consider the other questions until it had,'been decided where the Eight-oar Championship Race would be held. / ' . GENERAL. It was decided to nominate Mr W..J. Wilson as president and Mr C. R. Caffin as vice-president of the New Zealand Rowing Association! It was decided that the annual meeting of the association be held on September 20. A letter was received from the Otago Rowing Club inviting members of the association to attend the club's season opening on Saturday. October 7.—The invitation was accepted. The New Zealand Rowing Council advised that the Napier Rowing Club had written asking the status of Rugby League football players in regard to rowing. Ihe Napier Club had advised that an oarsman who played League football purely as a game was not affected in regard to his status. It was only when he derived pecuniary benefit therefrom or in any other way transgressed the amateur definition that he lost his status as an amateur oarsman. The council had confirmed this opinion.