ROWING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 279, 25 November 1931, Page 5

ROWING

AULSEBROOKE CUP REGATTA QUESTION OF COURSES MOTION BY MR, KITCHEN Reasons for a regatta being hold on the river below the Town Bridge were again brought before a meeting of the Wanganui Rowing Association at a meeting held on Monday evening. This matter was the subject of discussion at a former meeting of the association and was held over J o be deliberated upon by the three clubs. Referring to the objection raised by tho Aramoho delegates with regard to the shipping at the wharf proving a hindrance to holding the regatta over the lower course, Mr. Kitchen said that on investigation he had received the information that during last year boats worked on 21 Saturdays only while no shunting on the railways was done on any of those days. Furthermore, he pointed out that during January and February of this year two boats onlyworked. in the former month and one in the latter. On no Saturday was there more than one boat in port, while the greater portion of the work was carried out in the morning. With those facts to be considered he did not know how it was likely that shipping would be a hindrance to the regatta. He had also unofficially approached the Harour Board and the railway officials and understood that both those bodies would lend assistance if required.

Briefly, said Mr. Kitchen, his reasons for advocating the lower course were that it would bo central and therefore accessible to the public and oarsmen. It was a fair course, and- there was a possibility of attracting a larger number of the public with a chance of collecting a “gate.” It had no disadvantage that was not common to any other course and the spectators would have an unobstructed view of the racing. In proposing that the lower course should bo used he said that he was not in any way antagonistic to Aramoho, whose consideration and hospitality in previous regattas had been of the highest quality. His motion read as follows: “That, in future the Auslebrooke Eight be rowed on tho lower course, the finish to bp below t-iic Town Bridge, and that with the exception of the Jury Cup regatta for all rowing events calling for public support, tho lower course should receive favourable consideration. ’ ’ Protesting against a regatta being held on the course Mr. D. Holmes said that a fifth of the course only was visible from the road and a tenth from the wharf. He considered that, the Kaione at the end of the wharf also obstructed the view of the course. When he had been down on the course recently it was low tide and even then 14 erwe could have been

placed across the river, said the chairman, Mr. C. A. Healey. In seconding the motion, Mr. H. Cooper said that it was desirable that tho public should see the races from the wharf. The last part of the race could be seen perfectly, which was what most people wished to see. At Aramoho most of the people sat on the bank adjacent to the shed and did not worry to go up to the start to follow the race by car. “We can do with some finance,” ho added. Mr. C. A. Aiken said that tho bank at Aramoho had been cleared and a good view of tho whole race could be obtained. “I think that the lower course at neap tide is ideal,” stated Mr. P. Evans. Continuing, he said that it provided a straight run for two miles. Personally he would like to see the Aulsebrook Cup regatta held on the course and then there would be evi deuce one way or the other as to its suitability. To his mind it was ideal for eight-oared racing. This suggestion found favour in the opinion of Mr. Healey, who said that the regatta could be rowed on a neap or an incoming tide. He considered that they should hold the ei-ght-oar re gatta on that course and then all parties would be satisfied or dissatis lied. Mr. Holmes: “It is ridiculous to say that this course is better than the Aramoho course. There 's no comparison.” Air. Kitchen: “I don’t agree with you.” After further discussion Mr. Holmes stated that ho was quite in favour of the Anlscbrooke Cup regatta being held on the lower course but was not agreeable to it being held their permanently. An amendment by Mr. Wilson was defeated and Mr. Kitchen’s motion passed. WANGANUI CLUB DURIE ROSE BOWL ENTRY OF TEN CREWS Following is the selection of the Wanganui Rowing Club crews to compete for the Doric Rose Bowl: B. R. Doric (str.), 1. McKinnon (3). ’ Thompson (2), Stott (bow). i J. Crichton, McLean, Nicholls, Allwood. M. Clay. Burrell Reid. Saunders. G. Powell, H. Goss. E. Harman, Grahart. V. Clapharn, Robertshaw, Williams, Rowe. L. Clapham, Gibson, Doig, Dale. IMclvor, Pearse, Siddles, Stokes. N. Foster, Corfc, Telford, Forrest. Turnbull, Silk, Bullock-Douglas, Craig. Kitchen, (’harman, Quill, Marchant. Training is now in progress and the first race will be held on Wednesday of next week.