ROWING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 221, 18 September 1936, Page 5

ROWING

WANGANUI CLUB

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING REPORT FOR NEXT WEEK The annual general meeiing of members of the Wanganui Rowing Club is to be held in the club-house next Thursday, September 24. As the club will be commencing the 62nd year of its existence it is anticipated that there will be a large attendance of members and intending members. The following is the annual report to be submitted by the executive committee: —

Our usual good club spirit combined with enthusiasm for the sport, aids the club in recording a most satisfactory and enjoyable season. Towards the end of the close season, however, deep regret was experienced owing to the demise of Mr. George Lauchlan, who for many years rendered yeoman service to the successful administration of our sport, representing Wanganui on the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association. Plant.—Starting the season by having the plant thoroughly overhauled and members exhibiting more than usual care and interest in the use of the club’s property events worked well and smoothly from the beginning. New members were consistently trained in the tubs, the ccreful coaching, particularly by the club president, Mr. P. Evans, resulting in some very close racing. These boats had been subjected to an extensive overhaul by Mr. N. Foster and their condition amply repaid his conscientious efforts. The addition, a much-needed one, was’ that of the n x ew racing clinker-four built by the local builders, Messrs. Green and Webb, and its repeated successes emphasises just, how much it was needed. Towards the latter part of the season four very appreciative members have been busy with the staging and renovation of the plant, Messrs, Brodie, Goldsbury Butzbach, and Cass. Unfortunately, although club racing was started early, owing to the Wanganui regatta being held on

Boxing Day only four events were completed before Christmas. It is to be deplored that association and club curricula could not be more conjointly beneficial. After the New Year holidays, although many regattas intervened, all club events were raced with the exception of the Wray Eights. The New Plymouth, Wangaui, Waitara and Wellington regattas were attended with better success than the club has experienced for a great, many years. Membership. Membership was, from the club's point of view, maintained at. the same steady level as during the past few years, two outstanding crews being evidenced—in the lightweight crew stroked by W. Butzbach and the senior stroked by R. Edwards. The other crews which showed promise were the maiden crew stroked by M. McCann and the youths stroked by P. Brodie. Mention must be made of the coaches in connection with the training of these crews, and the club is indebted to the assiduous efforts of Mr. P. Evans and Mr. F. Wilson, Mr. T. Atchison and Mr. Northover. Social. It. has often been expressed that the social side of our club has been allowed to lapse somewhat, but this is easily rectified and is in the hands of the members. It could be brought forward at thp annual meeting. Regattas Wanganui Regatta. Seven or rat.icr eight (ladies’ four>—entries were made in the Wanganui regatta and met with a fair measure of success. Senior fours: R. Edwards. H. Robertshaw. M. Clay, A. R. Byres, (swamped) Senior singles: N. Foster (swamped). Junior welter: E. Marchant, H. Goss. M. Larkin, F. Drew (swamped). Maiden fours: M. McCann, K. Staton, J. Morris, T. E. C. Cooper (second). Junior doubles: S. Nolan, W. Adams (swamped). Youths' fours: J. Morris, K. Staton. G. Nicholls, T. E. C. Cooper. Lightweights: W, Butzbach. W. Christian, M. McLisky, B. Stroud (first). Ladies Plate: Miss Stevens, Miss Coppins, Miss Benefield, Miss Anderson (first l

New Plymouth.—A most, successful regatta for the club, stakes being collected for every entry, of which we had five. Maiden fours open: M. McCann, T, Staton, J. Morris, T. E. Cooper (second). Maiden fours lightweight: W. Butzbach, W. Christian, H. McLisky, B. Stroud (first). McLeod Cup: R. Edwards, H. Robertshaw, M. Clay, K. Staton (first). Junior fours: H. Robertshaw, A. R. Byres, M. Clay. H. Goss. In this ev-nt conditions became so rough that all crews with the exception of one swamped. The prize was conesquently divided among all competing crews. Maiden singles: E. Marchant (first). crews. Maiden singles: E. Marchant (first*. Wellington. The championship events were allocated to Wellington and we were sufficiently optimistic to enter in six events. The most deplorably rough conditions nullified the chances of crews drawing any but the inshore course. However, in spite or non-rowing conditions we were successful in gaining first, places in both

the Wellington Plate and lightweight maiden fours. Results were: Champion single sculls: N. Foster (swamped). Champion fours: R. Edwards, H. Robertshaw, M. Clay, A. R. Byres (swamped). Maiden fours open: M. McCann, K. Staton, B. Goldsbury, T. E. Cooper (swamped). Junior single sculls: E. Marchant (sank) Wellington Plate: R. Edwards, H. Robertshaw, M. Clay, A. R. Byres (first). Lightweight maiden fours: W. Butzbach, W. Christian, M. G. Paul, B. Stroud (first).

Waitara.—The popularity Waitara has among the club members was evidenced by the seven entries made in these events, and for the first time for many years we entered the pair oar events with success. Maiden fours open: M. McCann, K. Staton, H. Goss', T. E. Cooper (first). Junior pairs: M. McCann. K. Staton (first). Senior fours: R. Edwards, H. Robertshaw, M. Clay. A. R. Byres: (unplaced). Youths’ fours: G. Nicholls, B. Goldsbury, L. Morris, L. Stroud (third). Lightweight maiden fours: W. Butzbach, W Christian, M. G. Paul, B. Stroud (first). Senior pairs: R. Edwards, H. Robertshaw (unplaced). Welter junior fours: W. Butzbach, W. Christian, M. G. Paul, B. Stroud (scratched). Jury Cup.—As usual this was rowed on the Aramoho Course and what was most unusual for this event, very fair conditions prevailed. It being regarded more in the nature of a social event every member in the club was entered, winning crews, being:—Senior fours: R. Edwards, H. Robertshaw, M. Clay, A. R. Byres (first). Maiden fours open: M. McCann, K. Staton. B. Goldsbury, T. E. Cooper (first). Junior fours: M. Clay, H. Robertshaw, A. Turnbull, A. R. Byres (second) Maiden lightweights: W. Butzbach, W. Christian, M. G. Paul, B.Stroud (first). Head of the River Race.—Once again, repeating last year’s performance. Union pipped us on the post. Many reasons have been put forward why this should happen. These should be kept in view during the coming season. Your committee are quite satisfied that the members of this crew, stroked so ably by R. Edwards, put up a very creditable performance;’ the crew was R. Edwards, H. Robertshaw, M. Clay, A. R. Byres, M. McCann, K. Staton, W. Btuzbach, W. Christian. Congratulations to Union. Aulsebrook Cup.—This cup was competed for by a junior eight race, but repeating last year's performance Union romped home easy winners. Congratulations to Union. Interprovincial Eights.—For the first time since its inauguration the interprovincial eight oar championship was held on the Wanganui River. In the Wanganui crew we had the distinction of being represented by five members—R. Edwards, H.Robertshaw, M. Clay, A. R. Byres, M. McCann—who had with them the club’s congratulations, but did not win. finishing third. Bethune Cup. -The inter-club race with Union which is competed for annually by the winning crew of a club race between the two clubs was won by our club with a crew which won the Dustin Fours comprising W. Butzbach, S. I. Nolan, M. Larkin, L. Stroud. Vodanovich Cup. A new inauguration between the winning club crews of the three local sheds over a distance of one mile, the trophy being a handsome silver cup, with miniatures presented by Mr. A. Vodanovich, a new member of our club. H. Goss, K. Staton, M. G. Paul, W. Christian represented the club in this event, finishing third. Club Racing. With the exception of the Wray Eights (regattas interfering) the usual club races were held, competition being keen and some very interesting encounters were witnessed. Winning crews were:—Novice Pairs: Campion, L. Stroud. Club fours: M. McCann, K. Staton, T. Allwood, G. Bourne. Club doubles: W. Butzbach, L. Stroud. Dustin fours: W. Butzbach, S. I. Nolan, M. Larkin, L. Stroud. Fitzherbert fours: H. Goss, W. Christian, M. G. Paul, B. Stroud. Lewis double sculls: K. Staton, T. E. Cooper. Durie Rose Bowl: H. Goss, K. Staton, M. G. Paul, W. Christian. Drew pairs: T. E. Cooper, L. Stroud.

The trophies for the various club races were donated by Messrs. J. H. Clay, A. Turnbull, T. Atchison and Mr. P. Evans. Valedictory.—Among those who pass through the shed and whose business transfers them to other towns, and there has been many such of late, special mention is made of Mr. M. H. Clay who, most luckily for us, managed to finish the season but was transferred to Wellington. Mr. Clay joined the club in 1927 and from the day he joined pulled his weight and more in the many aspects of club activity. Mr. Clay will be missed by the executive and fellow rowers. Mr. E. Marchant, has also left a vacancy very hard to fill, wnile a most keen and promising oar in Mr. J. Morris and a sculler in Mr. R Rawle, absolutely forces we who are left to put our weight into every stroke.

Annua! Dinner.—The annual presentation of trophies and official winding-up of the season took place at a dinner provided Dy the Federal Hotel and presided over by the patpatron and president and attended by a full representation of members. Trophies were presented to the four coxswains, as a mark of appreciation of the yeoman service they had rendered the club, in their consistent attendance throughout the season. They are Masters G Deare, G. Tuffin, W. Cleary and G. Vodanovitch. It marked a fitting conclusion to a most enjoyable season. Honours Board.—Mr. J. H. Oldy generously intimated his intention of donating an honours board. This will fill a much-needed want, where a public record can be shown of winning crews. Thanks.—Our sincere thanks and appreciation are extended to many members and supporters who so unstintingly gave their services to help the club along and to Mr. R. Finlayson, the club's hon. auditor. Thanks are also due to the Press for support. For executive committee, (Signed) P. EVANS. President. *Signed) L. CLAPHAM. Secretary.