FOR WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 257, 29 October 1937, Page 9

FOR WANGANUI

ROWING ATTRACTIONS FOR EASTER CHAMPIONSHIP REGATTA INTERPROVINCIAL EIGHTS (Special to “Chronicle.”) WELLINGTON, Oct. 28. A decision to hold the championship regatta for 1938 at Wanganui on Easter Saturday as well as the interprovincial championship eights, to be rowed on Easter Monday, was made at the annual meeting of delegates to the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association to-day. Prompted by the fact that 13 or 15 of the best oarsmen would be returning from the Empire Games at Sydney in February and that they should be granted some time for training with their own club teams before the championships commenced, Mr. ,J. G. Whetton (Wanganui) said that was the reason his association applied foi' the regatta to be held at Wanganui. It had also to be remembered, he said, that firms employing these oarsmen would be unwilling to let them go away again to take part in a regalia within a week or two of their return from Australia. Supporting Mr. Whetton, Mr. W. J. Wilson (Otago) brought, up the question of what would happen about the interprovincial championship eights, ft might be necessary to let the contest lapse for one year to avoid breaking up crews in order to train for it, he said. “My association would like the privilege of holding the interprovincial eights also on Easter Monday,” said Mr. Whetton. “So as to make one big event of the two fixtures, J feel that, in view of the special circumstances this year, the association might perhaps be prepared to waive the rule that a month must elapse between the holding of the two championships.” Opposition to the suggestion was expressed by Mr. H. Hinkley (Wellington). He said he agreed that the Empire Games crews should be given an opportunity to train with their club teams. "But I cannot see how, if the rules are to be upheld, the Wanganui application can succeed,” said Mr. Hinkley. “I think it would be quite impiacticable to hold the championships on Saturday and the eights on Monday unless the associations are strong enough to enter champion eights composed of men who will not be taking part in the championship fours. I cannot see how the men can train both for the championship fours and the interprovincial eights.” Mr. Hinkley added that the rule laid down that the eights should not be held later than April 30. Replying to a question, Mr. Whetton said that if the championships were not allotted for that particular date Wanganui was not prepared to go on with them. After further discussion a vote was taken and the above decision was reached, thus disposing of Wellington’s application to hold the eights at Wellington on that day. Mr. A. D. Bayfield, secretary, discussing the Wanganui application for the eights, indicated that the association had power to waive the rule that a month should separate the two events. “Perhaps I can suggest that the various associations be given an opportunity of considering the Wanganui proposal,” said Mr. Hinkley. “It is a logical conclusion.” The application was then put to the vote and carried. Officers elected were:—President, Sir Ernest Davis (Auckland); vicepresidents, Messrs. A. Kirk (East Coast) and T. F. Mackie (Otago); council, Messrs. A. Cockroft (Southland), C. Croudis (Marlborough), T. Hinkley (Wellington), H. Paton (Otago), D. R. Menzies (Auckland), M. A. Turner (Canterbury), and J. G. Whetton (Wanganui); secretary and treasurer, Mr. A. D. Bayfield; auditor Mr. W. S. Wheeler. Mr. Bayfield was elected a life member.