OTAGO ROWING ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22064, 21 September 1933, Page 7

OTAGO ROWING ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Otago Rowing Association wag held last night in the Forbury Park Trotting Club's rooms. The president (Mr O. R. Caffin) was chairman, and there was a full attendance of club delegates. ; ADOPTION OF REPORT. In moving the adoption of the fortieth annual report and balance sheet the chairman said he would like to congratulate the committee, and especially the secretary and treasurer (Mr J. P. Vallis), in being able to place before members what he considered a very satisfactory report and balance sheet for the 1932-33 season, which, he thought, all would agree had been one of the Hardest seasons financially the association had experienced for some years. This was due, of course, to the continued financial depression. Notwithstanding this, however, the public support accorded the association’s appeal for financial assistance to enable it to send the eight-oar crew to Wellington to defend its title and also hold its annual regatta was excellent, and much appreciated by the committee. The support giveu the association by the active oarsmen, however, wag very disappointing, and he wished to say that if the oarsmen in Otago were not going to give the_ association their whole-hearted support in the coming season, it would be impossible for them to hold the annual regatta, and also finance the representative crew to the interprovincial eight-oar contest, whenever it may be held. The outstanding event of the season was the winning for the fifth consecutive time of the Interprovincial Eight-oar Championship at Wellington against the largest field on record t>y the Otago representative crew, a performance which he very much doubted had been bettered by the representatives of any other sporting body in New Zealand, To the coach, coxswain, and crew, stroked by G. Clark for the first time, the association extended its heartiest congratulations for again upholding Otago s good name in the field of sport. It was indeed most unfortunate that all the regattas held during the season, with the exception of Waihola, were marred by adverse weather conditions, and that the Burkes-St. Leonards and the popular Queenstown regattas had to bel abandoned on account of rough water. The rowing, however, at the regattas held was of a high standard, and many close and exciting finishes were witnessed. At the Portobello regatta, which was held in the bay for the first time, the Macandrew Bay Rowing Club registered its first regatta success by winning the Youths’ Fours since being formed five, years ago, and it was to be hoped that it would be a forerunner for many more « successes. Another pleasing feature at this regatta was the first appearance of a crew from the Otago University Rowing Club, which rowed a fine race to gain second place in the Maiden Fours. All the members of this crew gained their University Blue tor rowing. It was hoped to see many more crews at regattas from the youngest affiliated club. The Interclub Eights were, held in Dunedin, and not only proved to be the most thrilling contest yet conducted, but also materially assisted the selectors in picking the best crew to represent the province. The Queens Drive crew was to be congratulated on its first win in this event. The Trial Eights held at Port Chalmers between an Upper and Lower .Harbour crew was also a splendid contest, and clearly showed that they naci some of the most promising oarsmen m New Zealand in the province. During the season competition was very keen by all clubs for the associations various trophies, and it was very pleasing to note that these trophies were well distributed among the older established clubs. Ihe thanks of the association were extended to Mr H. Paton (delegate to the IS.Z.A.K.A.;, the auditors (Messrs James Brown and Co.), the press, and secretaries of clubs and regatta officials for valuable assistance. The Otago and Queens Drive Clubs were also to be thanked for the care ot eight-oar boats, and also the motor boat owners, who had willingly placed their launches at the committee’s disposal m connection with the eight-oar contests. As members were no doubt aware, tne N.Z.A.E.A. was discussing the question ot inviting an eight-oar crew and a- sculler from New South, Wales to visit the Dominion during the coming season to compete in the interprovincial eight-oar championship, and at other regattas if finance could be arranged. There was no doubt that should a visit from an overseas crew eventuate, it would mean a great fillip to rowing in New Zealand, and ha thought he was safe in saying that in the event of the association’s application to the N.Z.A.R.A. for the interprovincial eight-oar championship to be held in Dunedin in 1934 not being granted, and provided satisfactory financial arrangements could he made, it would be the endeavour of the association to invite the New South Wales crew to Dunedin to compete against Otago’s champion crew in a test race. In retiring from office, he wished to take the opportunity of thanking the delegates for the valuable assistance they had given him during hig term of office, and trusted that, with better times ahead, all clubs would have a successful and prosperous 1933-34 season. T _ In seconding the motion, Mr W. G. Glengarry congratulated the various crews on their success during the past season, particularly the Macandrew Bay and University crews and the Otago eight-oar crew. The report and balance sheet were adopted. , , ... ~ Referring to the financial position the treasurer said the association started the season with a credit balance of £7l 6s 2d, and finished with a credit balance of £42 9s 7d, the loss for the year amounting to about £l2. It had cost the association £3B to send the eight-oar crew to Wellington. OFFICE-BEARERS.

The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year:—President, Mr W. Gr. Glengarry; vice-president, Mr W. Robinson; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. P. Vallis; auditors, Messrs James Brown and Co,; Selection Committee — Messrs W. J. Wilson, T. F. Mackie, and W. G. Glengarry; Emergency Committee — Messrs W. G. Glengarry, W. Robinson, C. R. Caffin, S. G. Styche, and T, F. Mackie; delegate to New Zealand Rowing Association, Mr H Paton (Wellington). It was decided to nominate Mr H. Paton as a member of the New Zealand Rowing Council. The chairman said that as a great deal of important business would be dealt with at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Rowing Association, to be held at Wellington, it would be in the interest of the Otago Association to be directly represented at that meeting.—lt was decided that Mr Styche be the association’s delegate at the meeting.