ROWING.

Southland Times, Issue 20014, 30 October 1926, Page 19

ROWING.

(By

“Bow.”)

Now that the Southland chibs have celebrate dtheir opening ceremonies it should not be long before serious training is well under way; that is, provided the weather conditions are favourable. The Invercargill Club has taken on a new lease of life and with the large number of new members should be able to find material for some good inter-crew contests. It would be as well for the novices to remember that.

crack oarsmen are not born but made, and if they wish to figure in any successful crew it will be necessary for the new members to take up training seriously and get in as much practice as the vagaries of the weather will allow.

The Railway Club is fortunate in being in such a sound financial position and the members, both acting and honorary, and indeed everyone connected with the club, are to be congratulated on the success of their last season’s operations. Judging by the number of new members enrolled this season interest in rowing has revived to quite an encouraging extent, and both Railway and Invercargill should arrange contests between crews composed of noviaes in order to keep the interest in the sport from waning as was the case a few years ago. Bill Barry, the old sculling champion, states that his son, Bert, who won the race for the Doggett’s Coat and Badge last year, is starting to make arrangements to go to Australia to race Major Goodsell for the world’s championship. Ernest Barry, uncle of the present challenger for the title, thinks that his nephew stands a great chance of winning the title. Negotiations have been in progress for some time to raise £2OOO to enable the contest to eventuate but unless support is forthcoming from Australia it is doubtful if success will attend the effort to secure the necessary challenge money.

Writing of the Henley-on-Yarra regatta to the evening Post, a member of the Hamilton Club, whose four made the trip last year, states: —“It is a wonderful turn-out, and Henley Day in Melbourne is one of the days of the year. The regatta itself was exceptionally well organised and managed, as during the afternoon forty races were rowed. To do this the crews have to be at the starting-post right on time, and any crew late is disqualified. There were many interesting races, and interest never lagged, as no sooner was one race over than another could be seen coming down the river. In addition to the four-oar events there was a good number of eightoar and sculling races, but no pair oars or double sculls, these classes apparently not being very popular in Victoria. During the afternoon there was a parade of decorated canoes, and, as can be imagined, this created a good deal of interest, and was very pleasant to watch. In the evening a spectacular display of fireworks was given, and this provided a splendid conclusion to a very interesting and very enjoyable and exciting day’s sport. The regatta is worth going a long way to see, and any New Zealand crexys which may in future compete will, I feel sure, receive a very warm welcome from the public of Melbourne.” It is customary for the Redding Shield to be competed for on the opening day, but unfortunately this season’s opening day racing was spoilt by a northerly wind, and the Redding Shield regatta was postponed till Saturday. The racing for the trophy was, for so early in the season, of a high standard, and the keenness displayed may be judged from the fact that the issue was’ in doubt’ right up till the last race, the Maiden Fours. Prior to this race Petone and Wellington were level, with 14 points each, and the last race was rowed amidst much excitement. Petone and Wellington fought out a great finish, and the verdict went to Petone, who passed the post about twelve inches ahead of Wellington, thus retaining the shield.—Wellington Evening Post.

J. P. Hannan, who is to row J. Mason at Whangarei for the championship of New Zealand, will, if successful in defending his title, later on meet Dan Straker on Wellington Harbour (says “Victor” in the Wanganui Herald). A further match which Hannan has in view is against Major Goodsell. In a letter to his friend and backer, Mr E. C. Cooke, of Sydney, Goodsell, who is now in the United States, says he has been engaged by Universal Pictures, Ltd. He was also going “on the road” with a company to which Regg. L. Baker was attached. Meanwhile he had an engagement to coach a club at San Diego, 150 miles south of Los Angeles. He now adds that he publicly accepts P. J. Hannan’s challenge to contest the world’s title, the race to take place in U.S.A.

By winning the Wingfield Sculls (representing the English amateur scuffing championship for the sixth time), J. Beresford, junr., has set up a new record. It cannot be said that he won on his merits, however, as lie was well out-finished by T. D. A. Collett, of Cambridge University, quite obviously the best sculler on the day. The latter went right away over the last mile and finished in 22.24 4-5, good scuffing for the Putney to Mortlake course. Early in the race Collett came across and twice slightly touched Beresford’s boat, but not so as to hamper him. Although Beresford made no claim at the time, he lodged an objection at the finish, and the referee, Harry Blackstaff, had no option but to disqualify Collett so Beresford won on a fouL