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Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 48

An echo of a naval cutter race at Auckland 25 years ago was heard on Tuesday night in the Canterbury Rowing Club’s rooms, where the Canterbury Rowing Association held its meeting (states the Lyttelton Times). A letter was received from the New Zealand Association stating that a meeting of delegates would be held at Wellington on Tuesday, February 8, to consider an application for reinstatement to amateur status of P. R. Graham, North Shore Club, Auckland. Mr Graham stated to the Auckland Rowing Association, in a letter which was referred to the Canterbury Association at its last meeting, that about 25 years ago, as the outcome of rivalry among the whaleboat crews of Thames, Devonport, and Permanent Force, a naval cutter race was arranged at the Auckland anniversary regatta for a money prize, the race being won by* Thames. Graham was a member of the Devonport Club, and that was the only professional contest he engaged in. The Auckland Association wrote in support of the application, as Mr Graham had ..done, and was doing, much good work for the North Shore Club. The Canterbury Association decided to support the application. Mr G. H. Hobbs: Twenty-five years. That’s a long time ago. The application seems very fair. Old Christ’s College Rugby football associations—and a sequel—were recalled by Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P. for Hutt, when introducing the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. K.- S. Williams) to the gathering which attended the opening of the Manor Park bridge at Haywards. “I am introducing a friend of 40 years’ standing,” remarked Mr Wilford. “In 1886 Mr Williams and I played in the Christ’s College First Fifteen. In those days Mr Williams played forward and I full-back. To-day he is still playing forward, and I am playing back It is a case of history repeating itself, and we are back to where we were 40 years ago.”—(Laughter.) Mr Wilford described Mr W. H. Field, M.P. for Otaki, as another friend of 40 years’ standing. “I do not feel in strange company,” added the speaker, “since William Hughes Field was my best man when I was married.” —(Renewed laughter.) In the course of his remarks the Hon. Mr Williams thanked Mt Wilford for his references to the college days. He and Mr Wilford had always been friends, and he hoped that friendship would always continue. “The friendships one forms in one’s youth,” added the Minister, “are more valuable than any other.”