BLUFF REGATTA

Southland Times, Issue 22767, 18 December 1935, Page 7

BLUFF REGATTA

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. (From Our Correspondent.) A meeting of the Bluff Regatta Committee was held on Saturday evening, the chairman (Mr V. Metzger) presiding. The Town Clerk wrote granting the Regatta Committee the right to license sideshows and collect license fees and rentals for same. The writer stated that the Borough Council was again prohibiting the erection of stalls on Gore street from Slaney street to Seaview House and asked the committee to assist in the matter. The secretary of the Southland Rowing Association wrote stating that the order of rowing events as shown on the regatta poster was causing the rowing clubs concern, as if the races were carried out in the order shown, some oarsmen would be compelled to row in consecutive events. In discussing the matter the chairman pointed out that the order on the poster would not necessarily be the one followed at the regatta, which it was usual to draw up after entries had been received. The races would then be numbered in order of rowing in the official programme. However, the committee would be pleased to fall in with any suggestion the Rowing Association offered. Mr Metzger then invited Mr Budd, a member of the association, to speak on the subject. The association had no desire to hamper the Bluff Committee in arranging its programme, Mr Budd said, but was actuated instead by a wish to help the sport generally. Under the impression that the races would be rowed in the order shown on the poster, members of the parent body had been approached by oarsmen with the objection mentioned in the letter. The requirements of the governing body would be met with a very slight alteration of the sequence of races. In this connection Riverton had agreed to an amendment of its own programme at the wish of the association, and a small variation of the Bluff programme would put the matter right. Mr Budd was thanked for his explanation and it was agreed that the order on the official programme would be as follows: Sculls, Youths, maidens, juniors, seniors; fours, same order, and pairs ditto. Mr Budd also announced that the Rowing Association hoped to arrange a Southland eights event for Bluff regatta. This announcement was received with approval and owing to the difficulty of arranging a similar contest with Otago it was decided to do no more at present in the latter and to concentrate on a Southland event. Owing to possible absence on regatta day Mr G. Niven resigned his position as call steward. Mr J. H. Drake was appointed to fill the vacancy. Subject to the approval of the Bluff Harbour Board, it was agreed to grant permission for the sale of Health stamps on the wharf on Regatta day.