ROWING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 248, 19 October 1937, Page 4

ROWING

OTAGO ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING OF DELEGATES “This is the most absurd thing that has ever been put on an order paper,” said Mr W. Wilson at the annual meeting of the Otago Rowing Association on Thursday night, when commenting on a Wellington motion to be presented at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association. The president (Mr S. G. Styche) presided over a full attendance of delegates.

The motion was that rule 65 be altered to read: "All championships shall be decided on smooth water ana in daylight. The suitability of tht water shall be decided by the majority of strokes in an}' championship.” Exception was taken by several delegates to the latter part of the motion, and a lengthy discussion took place. Mr T. Mackie thought it was a rtflection on the ability of officials. Strokes at the last championships event were divided—some wanted to start but others refused.

The speaker was supported by Messrs Wilson and Glengarry.

Mr P. Vallis ended the discussion by moving that Otago support the motion with the addition of the words: “In the event of equal voting the umpire shall have the casting vote.”

The motion was carried by 9 votes to 7.

Although the season had not been as good as others, it could not be helped, said the chairman, moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet. The increasing interest being taken by the public in the sport was well demonstrated by the large attendance at the Dunedin Regatta Club’s function. Although Otago entries for the New Zealand championship regatta were small, the crews performed creditably. It was unfortunate that the eight-oar race turned out as it did—it was almost a fiasco —and their own opinion, was that the Port Chalmers Club won the race. The inter-club eights produced good rowing, and the form shown by some of the younger crews was very promising. Weather conditions had adversely affected the Otago crew in the Edmond Shield race. The crew, however, had had no training together, and the speaker thought more attention should be given to this matter in the future. The Otago Cluu was to be congratulated on securing most of the trophies in harbour events, although Port Chalmers had come to the fore in winning a senior event.

The motion was seconded by Mr T. Mackie, who said that it had been definitely proved at the championship regatta that the South Island could produce oarsmen of the standard of the North Island. In the south they had been suffering from an “inferiority complex,” and the results at the regatta had been timely. After discussion, the report and bal-ance-sheet were adopted. It was decided to support Wanganui’s application for the championship regatta at Easter. Wellington’s application for the interprovincial championship eights on the same date was opposed. Mr W. J. Wilson was elected delegate to the council's annual meeting. The delegate was instructed to ask that the New Zaleand Amateur Rowing Association levy only Is capitation fee.