ECHO OF WANGANUI REGATTA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 18438, 23 March 1922, Page 5

ECHO OF WANGANUI REGATTA

CHAMPION PAIR OAR. A CHRISTCHURCH PROTEST. (Per Presa Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 22. At a meeting of the executive of the Canterbury Rowing Association to-night, a letter was received from the Union Rowing Club (Christchurch ) enclosing a copy of a letter sent by the Club to the Wanganui Regatta Association in reference to the Champion Pair Oar race, and asking that it be forwarded to New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association. The president said Canterbury Association equid do nothing, as the umpire's decision was final. The rules relating to racing were conflicting, but one laid it down emphatically that the umpire's decision must be final. It was decided to forward the letter to the council of the Association in Wellington. Mr. Ebert said the umpire should have undoubtedly disqualified the crew responsible for the foul, and that was where he failed 'in his duty. Mr. Nightingale said he had heard on good authority that there was a lot of money on the race, and that the Wanganui crews were heavily backed to win the four championships. It was, he added, most undesirable that the gambling element should be introduced into amateur rowing. Mr. Ebert said the umpire should have given his decision promptly and not four hours afterwards.