ROWING CHAMPIONS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 768, 17 March 1910, Page 6

ROWING CHAMPIONS.

RETURN OF THE UNION CREW.

WELCOMED IN WELLINGTON.

The champion Wanganui Union crew which won the championship four-oared Inter-State Shield at the recent rowing regatta in Hobart, returned to New Zealand yesterday by the Moeraki. The crew, which was managed by Mr. W. S. Sharpe, consisted of Messrs. D. Corby, W. S. Dustin, J. Cotterill, and R. Ryland,. with Master 0. Harley (cox). The victors were welcomed at the Empire Hotel by the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association and a number of local rowing enthusiasts.

The chair was occupied by Mr. A. S. Biss, vice-president of the A.E.A., who, in extending a welcome to the victorious crew, remarked that thirteen years ago he had visited Australia with the Blen-J heim crew—the three Seymour brothers and Daly—which rowed in the last interState fours contest, in which New Zealand was represented. On that occasion New Zealand had finished 6econd to Victoria, alter a hard race. It had been hoped at the time that the visit would be the commencement of regular contests between Australia and New Zealand, but unfortunately this had not been brought about. Now, however, the desired end might bo brought about. Mr. Biss went on to refer to the manual versus clerical labour trouble which had caused a split as to the definition of an amateur crew and the subsequent bridging of the gap. Eight-oared rowing was more popular in Australia than the fours, and he trusted that the time would come when New Zealand would be able to send an "eight" to Australia, and ask Australia to visit New Zealand with a similar crew. He had to congratulate the Union crew on their fino race, and he was only sorry the Blenheim crew, which filled second: place, was not present. The Wanganui . men were entitled to every bit of credit for having won a great race. To him (the shaker) the competition seemed to carry with- it more importance than a mere meeting of oarsmen. It was another demonstration of the fact that New Zealand although small in area and population, and small in tho eyes of the outside world, was able to hold its own against the outside world in practically every branch of sport. The refflilt-of the recent race was no doubt due to' the serious training done by the winners. In New Zealand we were entitled to credit for taking our games seriously, and the Wanganui crew had done this. They had trained at considerable personal inconvenience, to themselves, and for the time had forsaken what we looked upon ■as pleasures, and .devoted all their energy to rowing. "Every New Zealander, whether an . oarsman or not, heartily congratulates the Union crew," concluded Mr. Biss. "We are proud of them, and what they did on ana off the water." . (Applause.) Mr. Biss then presented the crew with' the shield won at HobaTt, pointing out that although the shield belonged to the association, the committee had decided that their proper duty was to hand it. over to the Union Club.

Mr. A. G. Fell, a veteran oarsman of 44 years standing, congratulated the .Wanganui men on their victory. They had raised New Zealand to the head of the rowing world ih the Southern Hemisphere. Mr. Pell stated that only the other day he had been discussing the victors with' an old Oxford oar who had seen the crew at work. The opinion the Oxford man' held was that the Union crew was fit to go and row at any regatta anywhere in the world. (Applause.) Mr. W. Sharpe, manager of the crew, in returning thanks, characterised the contest as "a jolly fine race." The Wide Bay crew had started with a lead, but Union soon overhauled them, and held the lead right to the finish. At a smoke concert given the evening of the race, there had been a good deal of talk about sending a four-oared crew to New Zealand for the next championship meeting.

■Mr. J. Cotton]], who stroked the winning crew, also returned thanks. In responding to the toast of his health, Mr. A. E. Nash, President of the New South Wales Rowing Association, also referred to "the possibility of more regular contests between Australia and New Zealand. The question cf inter-State rowing was to 'be discussed at a conference in Australia shortly, and he was sure that if New Zealand could unfold a scheme whereby four-oared contests could take 'place it was sure to be considered. From figures of the recent

championship raco supplied to him, Mr. Nash said he hod worked it out that over the. three-mile, course the Wanganui. men had put in 126 more strokes than any of the Australian. crews. This was a. great physical feat, and even if Wanganui had not won New Zealand would still have been on top with the Blenheim crew, which finished second.' The gathering concluded with a toast to the health of the secretary of the association, Mr. A. D. Bayfield.