AQUATICS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18903, 19 January 1927, Page 2

AQUATICS.

CANTERBURY ROWING ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the Canterbury Bowing Association was held last night. Present: Messrs P. D. Kesteven (chairman), W. Duggan, G. H. Hobbs, V. h. Booth, L. Davis, R. J. Hobbs, J. H. "Williams, S. Dunn,, and W. Whittington. It was reported that the Kaiapoi Club would hold its annual regatta on March 19th. ■ * It was decided to support the application of P. R. Graham, North Shore Olub, Auckland, for reinstatement as an amateur. The incident which led to the suspension of Graham was as follows: About 25 years ago, as the outcome of rivalry between the whaleboat crews of Thames, Devonport, and. the Permanent Force, a Naval cutter race was held at the Auckland Anniversary Regatta for a money prize, the Thames crew winning. Graham was a member of the Devonport crew. The programme for the Ghristchurch regatta to be held on February 19th was approved.

» New Eight-Oar Boats. A vote of appreciation was passed to the New Zealand Association for its gift of two eight-oar boats, and the Association pledged itself to use the craft in the best interests of .rowing. A vote of thanks was also accorded the Union Olub for its offer to house-the boats. Mr R. J. Hobbs stated that there was no reason why one of the boats should not be prepared for work and used on the Avon. He mentioned that on the Cam river, England, eight-oar races were held, the contesting boats not racing abreast owing to the narrowness of the river, but starting one bohind the other, the race being against time. Mr Duggan suggested that a course of half a mile from Gowlishaw'B corner should be used _ for racing purposes. Ho considered that if it was possible to get a longer course of, say, about a mile and a half, greater enthusiasm would be shown than on any other course for the reason that spectators could line the banks and cheer the crewß on to victory.

It was decided to rig both boats for racing under the supervision of Mr H. Ayers. The secretary was instructed to take out insurance covers of £l6O each in respect of the two boats for a period of twelve months.