“Double-Cross If Rowing Dropped’

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30962, 19 January 1966, Page 18

“Double-Cross If Rowing Dropped’

If the New Zealand Olympic and British Empire Games Association executive eliminated rowing from the 1970 British Empire Games programme it would be a “doublecross”. said the president of the Canterbury Rowing Association, Mr B. R. Walker, last evening.

He was commenting on speculation in Wellington that rowing, archery, shooting and one other sport—either bowls or gymnastics—had been taken out of the programme for the 1970 Empire Games in Christchurch case to be forwarded to London by February 4.

Canterbury roving officials had given their whole-hearted support to the local games association’s efforts to obtain New Zealand support for Christchurch's bid to hold the games, said Mr Walker. “We were with them from the start and did our part in finding a suitable site at Lake Forsyth.” said Mr Walker. The rowing association had not been told if rowing had been dropped and had not been given the opportunity to present its case. “Rowing circles are utp in arms at this stab in the back,” he said. Mr Walker alleged that this action was a move to woo the new Commonwealth nations into casting their votes for New Zealand to hold the games. “Nail In Coffin” “It is a nail in the coffin for Empire Games rowing,” said Mr Walker. “Rowing is not on the programme for the 1966 Games in Jamaica. New Zealand's action is paving the way to eliminate rowing from future games.” he said.

Mr Walker said the associa tion bitterly regretted not having pushed for a 2000metre course at Kerr's Reach when the clubs moved there several years ago. “We were too modest and too grateful for the new course. We should have pushed for a straight course,' he said. The chairman of the Canterbury Commonwealth and Empire Games Promotion Committee. Mr A. 1. Cottrell, said it would be improper for him to comment on the report that the sports had been dropped. “The whole thing is before the Wellington executive and as far as 1 know they have not reached any firm decision,” he said. “Somebody is doing a lot of guesswork.”