ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

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

ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS

QUESTION OF CENTRALISATION OTAGO ASSOCIATION'S PROTEST. The question of centralising the New Zealand Eight-oar Championship Race at Wellington, as suggested by the Wellington Rowing Association, was discussed by delegates at the annual meeting of the Otago Rowing Association last night, and strong exception was taken to the attempt being made to bring such a practice into force. . j. Mr T. F. Mackie said some immediate action should be taken by the Otago Association to oppose any suggestion or centralisation. Otago had competed m every contest, and had spent more money than any other association in sending crews away. He maintained that it the contest were centralised the public would get tired of contributing to the fund tor sending the Otago crew away. The Otago Association was entitled to some consideration. and he mcived that all the other rowing associations be communicated with and asked to oppose the centralisation of the Eight-oar Championship Race. , Mr F. Brough said that if the proposal were carried into effect it would kill the contest. The fact that the race was held in different ports maintained the interest each year, and he was of the opinion that the Otago Association should strongly oppose < centralisation. He seconded Mr Mackie’e motion. Mr C. R. CafHn expressed the same view, and said the Dunedin public had only once seen the Otago crew in action, although the Halliburton-Johnstone trophy had been won by Otago crews on five consecutive occasions. If the donor or the trophy had any wish to centralise the race he should have expressed his desire at the outset. The Otago_ Association was entitled to more consideration It had cost the association £475 to send crews to compete in the contests. (Jtago crews had competed ever/ year, and, seeing that the trophy was rmw held by Otago, it was only right the contest should be held in .P^neum. Mr W. G. Glengarry said that the contest would be killed if it were centralised, and the Otago Association should do everything possible to block such a move. Mr F. Foster said the trophy was given to assist eight-oar racing, and it would not bo fair to any of the competing provinces to centralise the contest. The Otago Association should not sit quietly, but should make a big noise and protest. .• . Mr W. J. Wilson said that no doubt from the Wellington Rowing Association's point of view Wellington was the most central place for the contest. All the ports had their turn for holding the race, with the exception of Wanganui. It had to be remembered that the public had to be studied, as the public supported rowing associations all through the Dominion. If the contest were centralised it would mean a heavy expense to all the associations which sent crews, with the exception of the Wellington Association. He thought that the Otago Association, before taking any direct action, should communicate with all the rowing associations in New Zealand and obtain their views. The Otago Association bad spent more than £4OO to secure the trophy, and had received £125 in prize money in return for the outlay. If the Otago Association agreed to the contest being centralisd in Wellington it would find,that there would be no further support coming from the public. The Otago Association should ask all rowing associations not to support the’ Wellington Association’s suggestion. The Wellington Association had also suggested that the race be rowed at Easter, and he had learned when in Wellington in connection with the latest contest that oarsmen favoured Easter, with the exception of the Otago and Southland men. Easter was the best time to decide the race, and Otago should be fair, even if the entry of crews for the Queenstown regatta had to be sacrificed. When in Wellington last he had heard it freely voiced that rowing men favoured Easter for holding the championship race because members of crews had no difficulty in obtaining leave at that time. Mr Mackie’s motion was carried.