ROWING NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 243, 14 October 1931, Page 4

ROWING NOTES

(By

"TANIWHA" )

Tho rowing season in Wanganui will bo opened on Saturday afternoon by the Mayor, Mr. N. G. Armstrong. The Wanganui Bowing Club will act as host to tho members of tho other two clubs and supporters of tho sport. *

It is interesting to note that Mr. Armstrong at ono time pulled an oar for tho Wanganui Club. He will, therefore, need no introduction to the sport.

The programme proposed appears to bo even more comprehensive than those of former years. The Wanganui Harrier Club is to race the Pi rate Football Club, while there will probably be another race between two football clubs. These events will be in addition to the usual sprint fours and the mixed doubles event. The Wanganui Club is also staging a race for its novices. It appears, therefore, that exceptionally good management will be required to get all the events off to time, for no matter how careful the management, hitches are always liable to occur. A feature of the afternoon will be tho music to be played by the Queen Alexandra’s Own Band. This band is well known for its excellent music. Lists are now posted in all sheds for those who wish to take part in the sprint fours. Entries will close at 5 o’clock on Friday.

Oarsmen generally in Wanganui were pleased to hear that Mr. A. Gray was re-elected to tho position of president at tho annual meeting of the Wanganui Rowing Association last week. Mr. Gray is an old oarsman and has the interests of the sport at heart. He is always trying to do the best ho can to place Wanganui rowing on a higher plane. ¥ * * • •

Mr. Gray’s remarks at the annual meeting concerning the sending of crews to compete in the Empire and Olympic Games are deserving of notice. The president stated that he considers that the money devoted to sending these crews overseas should be used for the development of rowing in New Zealand. At the present time, when money is scarce, it is not unexpected to find that the majority of the rowing clubs throughout the Dominion are having a lean time. When it comes to competing in tho eight oar championship every year many of them find tho burden extremely difficult to carry. This strikes homo to Wanganui, for this centre has been unable to compete in the event for the last three or four years. There is no doubt that if the expenses of crews competing in the event could be subsidised out of the funds which would otherwise go to send crews overseas, the move would be quite popular.

It was reported at the annual meeting of the Canterbury Rowing Club that bright prospects were outlined by Mr. J. B. Hobbs for the coming rowing season. He said that the recent art union had netted over £13,000 and that meant that rowers would not have to go to the public for subscriptions to send athletes overseas. It was practically certain that next year a New Zeaand representative eight-oar crew would be sent to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles.

In tho event of portion of that money being available to the rowing associations for use in New Zealand instead of overseas, it could bo imagined what a fillip it would give to rowing in this country. But the money cannot be used in that way. Since the money was raised for sending athletes overseas it will have to be spent for that purpose.

Taking the other side, is it desirable that New Zealand oarsmen should not be represented overseas and that New Zealand’s name should not stand for something in rowing as well as in other branches of sport in the outside world? It may be argued against that viewpoint that it is useless to gain a name lor New Zealand overseas in rowing if the sport itself at home is bled and under-nourished in order that such a result be attained. In times such as the present, when money is scarce and the sport not in the best financial condition at home, it would seem that there certainly is much to be said against sending crews overseas. No doubt the council will have something to say on the matter.

The meeting held last week was stated by the president to be one of the largest for some time. That would seem to indicate that enthusiasm for the sport is strong. The discussion on the business brought before the meeting was free and in some cases lengthy, —far too lengthy. The meeting lasted, in fact, two and a-half hours. There was not always the need for some of the discussion that took place, and a little more firmness at times on the part of the chairman would have saved time—and talk. At one stage of the meeting motions and amendments wore breaking out all round the room and members became slightly befogged as to which point was being discussed.

A little more firmness could have been shown when a point of order was raised as to the eligibility of those present to take part in the ballot for the appointment of the starter. At that time several other officers had been appointed and it seemed evident that the meeting was in order. In tho appointment of Mr. C. Breed as starter, Wanganui will have the services of one who has had some experience in the position. Mr. Kennedy, who filled tho position of starter last year, is well-known for his yeoman service to rowing in Wanganui. Tho manner in which he sent away the crews at the Wanganui regatta last January was admirable, when the difficult conditions are taken into consideration. Although ho will not fill the same position this season it is to bo sincerely hoped that his services will not bo lost to rowing in Wanganui, and that his cheery personality will bo seen at all the major events as in former years. In Mr. D. Corby, Mr. Breed will have an experienced assistant-starter and one upon whom ho may at all times rely. Mr. Corby’s services to rowing in Wanganui, and especially to the Union Club, arc probably unparalleled in this centre, and it was doubtless a source of satisfaction to many to see him allotted the position. Mr. H. W. Cooper was again elected judge. “Henry’s” gun is always a

welcome sound to the crews as they dash down the river—especially to the winning crew. As a rule his gun stops all activities, though on one occasion ,ast year he gave many people a start —in fact, he was quite a big noise in rowing in Wanganui that aiternoun. ¥¥**.*•

Referring to the regatta at Wanganui last year, the president mentioned at last week's meeting that there had been a loss of £2O on tho day. That was in a large measure, he said, to be accounted for by the fact that toe conditions were anything but good. He thanked all the officials fur the manner in which they had worked. Mentioning the success of the Union Club last year he considered that it had been too successful. He would like to sec the trophies go round mure, adding that as Aramoho had had a turn the year before, perhaps the Wanganui Club would come to light this season. * * * ♦ • *

It may be said that Wanganui ran Union a close second for the Jury Cup last year, while it was not altogether blessed with the best of luck in eithei the head-of-the-river race or the Aulsebrook Cup competition. In fact, it has been said that the breaking of the oars during those events was due to the enthusiasm of tho members and the fit condition they were in’ With regard to the application for the championship regatta to be held in. Wanganui, it would appear that this application was made not with the desire of depriving Hamilton of the regatta, but because of the intention of the Wellington Association to oppose the application, as mentioned last week. Auckland and Otago will both support the application at the annual meeting, su that honours arc so far even.

It was pointed out by Mr. Gray at the meeting last week that if the regattas held in Wanganui in the future are to be a financial success the members of the three local clubs would have to show more enthusiasm and enterprise in raising funds, in the event of the chanipionsnip regatta being held in Wanganui that necessity will make itself more evident, and it will be up to the clubs to take the broad hint given by their president. One of the matters which will have to be discussed by the association itself will be the placing of a barrier over the road and charging a nominal fee for all entering. The Rowing Association has an example set them in this respect by the River Carnival. Action upon similar lines could well be devised.

The question of reducing the levy placed on all associations is likely to receive more than usual notice at the meeting of the council to be held shortly. The Wanganui Association has forwarded a remit that it be reduced from 2s to Is, while the Canterbury Association has forwarded a remit that it be reduced from 2s to fid. “Stroke,” of the Evening Bost, says that “it should bo interesting to hear of any reasonable ground that Canterbury can put forward for such a big reduction.” Support will be forthcoming from New Plymouth to have the levy reduced, while with a reduction in the subscriptions of several rowing clubs, owing to the stringent times, it is natural that clubs will find it harder to assist their parent associations. Therefore, support for the remits may also come from other quarters. The Evening Post has tho following comment to make upon tho subject of the championship regatta: “There arc several matters of importance which will be discussed at the meeting of the N.Z.A.R.A. First and foremost is the allocation of the championship regatta, but, though only one application has so far been received, that from the Auckland Association, for the regatta to be held at Hamilton, there are indications that the discussion on this application will not be at all one-sided. In the first place, the Waikato is, generally, not regarded as a very satisfactory course for championship rowing. Any river course is bound to give local representatives an advantage, but as far as tho Waikato River is concerned, those who have rowed on it hold the opinion that it does not give crews w’ho are not familiar with the course as fair a chance as they are entitled to expect from a strange course. There is, in connection with the application, another aspect which is certain to result in a certain amount of discussion, and that is the date. It is proposed that the regatta should be held on January 29. After the experience of a championship regatta held at Bluff, on January 1, the New Zealand Council came to the conclusion that no championship regatta should be held prior to January 31.”

Aramoho Boating Club The suburban club has been a hive of activity during the past week. D. Holmes, the energetic club captain, has put the plant into tip-top condition. The pontoon has caused the committee much concern and the club is in need of a new one. Owing to the work put in by Holn.es and others, tho expense of acquiring another has been post poned for a period. It is pleasing to know' that the president’s chair will be again occupied by Mr F. Haywood. This gentleman was one of the original members of the club. Ho is an ideal man to hold tn« position he does in the club affairs. F. Laird was re-elected as secretary and there is no doubt that ho will do his work as well us he has in the past. R. Boyland will continue as treasurer, while D. Holmes retains the captaincy. He may be a little hard on the junior members, but he is always popular with the senior men. The committee has been chosen well and wisely. It is well-balanced and will watch the welfare of the club with a jealous eye. T. Walsh and C. Aitken will make goon representatives on the association. Several interesting discussions tuok place at the annual meeting of the club. Holmes moved a motion that the fees of the junior members should be reduced. An amendment was added that the fees of all members should bo reduced and this was passed on the casting vote of the chairman. A recommendation to the committee was that they should appoint a coach for the new members. This is a vital point and the committee should watch it closely. Union Boat Club With the approach of the season there has been considerable activity at tho light blue shed during the past week. Lists are now posted in the shed calling for entries for the club i fours event. They will be taken down on Sunday at. 12 o’clock, when the

crews will be piabtd- Already there arc many names (tow n. New- members are requested to pay particular attention to the fact that they must pay a deposit before using the club plant. A prominent club member deserves a severe reprimand for taking new members out in the fours much befoi« they should have been taken out. Noun of them was forward enough in their work to step out of the coacher. Several changes are noted in the committee this year, new faces t>cing E. O. Trail, E. Crotty ana R. S. Mowav These men should be the means of strengthening the committee considerably, as all are keen inembe-s. Rowing should be in full swing next week when the crews for the club fours will be picked. Every member should make a point of getting into touch with his stroke next Monday to arrange for the time of meeting to go out on the river. Nothing upsets a crew' so much as a man who is lax with his training. He is a nuisance to himself and to the other three men in the boat.