ROWING NOTES.

Southland Times, Issue 19227, 14 December 1903, Page 3

ROWING NOTES.

(By " Grip." Some misconception appears to exist in the minds of committees as to the mode of procedure in. regard to having their programmes approved when it is desired to include amateur rowing events. It is simply this : Having decided upon the events they intend to include, v complete list must be forwarded to the secretary of the local association, who places it before his committee, and if the conditions are hi conformity with amateur rowing rules, he notifies the regatta secretary to that effect ; if, on the other hand, alterations are required they are pointed out, and must be made before* the programme can be approved. It is to the local association that regatta committees within the centre must address themselves. That is the body responsible to N.Z.A.11.A. The S.K.A. selection commit (cc election takes place at an early dale This committee is chosen by Imllot of members of all clubs affiliated. As the interpro, race takes place at Invercai'pill regatta, the Southland reps, should be anJlOUnced.. almost immediately after UlufT regatta. In View of.the importance <%i next luvercargill regatta, it seems reasonable to suggest that the work of the committee should be taken in hand before the holidays. Indeed, the circulation of the programme straight away would be an advantage. The Christchurch Regatta Club s programme is a very tempting one. The prize money for the fours ranges from £15 and £3 for the seniors to £10 and £2 for the youths, and the pairs and double sculls'all carry £G and I>2. Vhe regatta takes place on Boxing Day, but Southland will not be represented, as the time required in travelling will not permit. At a special meeting of the _N.Z.A.It. A. on the sth in!st.. the following motion was carried by 13 votes to 9:—" Ihut rule 23'"be amended b\V the addition of a proviso that the Council may authorise a departure from this rule if it is satisfied that the boats defined are not suited to prevailing conditions." l'he Canterbury clubs desired the sanction of the governing body to row the maiden double sculls and pairs at AUnwi, Christchurch and Lyttelton regal fas in stump outriggers instead of the reflation boat as defined by the association. It was pointed out that these t"e:i'.s at , Canterbury regattas are rowed on a j course with a turn, which lmuie M impracticable to use the longer and heavier boat stipulated, also that the river Avon is in such a rubbish-blocked state, that it is difficult for Christchurch crews to get any training even in stump boats. and practice in the regulation boats is out of the question. At the same i:ieiting a maiden aculler was defined if. uccordance with recommendations of a mbcommittee. Measurements are not yet to Rivcrton and Bluff are not the only regattas from which senior pculls have been omitted. Port Chalmers has also omitted this event, this year, and Puihdin scullers are forced to look to other centres for a race. Christchurch Regatta Club stipulate la their conditions—" Certificates of birth of competitors in youths races must be produced, if required by the committee And very reasonably so. IRC. crews are all doing splendid work, and by Bo.vin.cr Day will be in the pink of condition. The club will have two crews in nil the events—in the maiden fours three. One of the suleseatcd Norton fours has been converted into a centre-seated boat, and it is giving every satisfaction. Railway crews are putting m plenty of work, Hut, generally speaking, are not cultivating any particular method. 1 j understand that this cl'ib has placed an order with Greenland for a brst-and-besi. All rowing events at Bluff will be carried out in accordance with Association rules. Amalgamation seems to be in the air at present. Many of the leading supporters of rowing at the post are anxious to see the Awarua and Ocean Beach rlubs come together. Both feel the pinch of small membership, but, combined, they would make a strong club. From Riverton also we hear of efforts being made to link Riverton and Kia Ora. Personally, I cannot help thinking that the step would be a wise one on the part of the clubs at both places.