ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1252, 7 October 1911, Page 12

ROWING.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP-WHERE? (Br "Meecuet.") October 9—Albany v. J. Arnst (Thames). Of Course Otago is in it. The annual meeting of tho Dominion Amateur Bowing Association is to be held this evening. Tho chief ibem of interest so far as the active rowing man is concerned, is the venue of the next Dominion's championship regatta, Thero are two applications for tho honour—tho Otago and Wellington Centres—and. apparently, the former will go to tho poll primo favourite. This is chiefly on account of the fact that tho Canterbury delegates, wjth their strong voting power, have been instructed to support its claims, Tho local association, however, is making a big bid for the- .function, and will bo assisted by the striking successes that have attended recent regattas held on the harbour under its management. Previous experience has shown that th© amount of travelling necessary to get to Lake Waika-to—somo 33 miles south of Dunedin —and tho constant transhipping of boats entailed, militates strongly against tho success of a championship on tho Otago conrso. On the laet occasion—m March, 19M-the North Island was represented by four oarsmen only— a pair-oar crew from the Wellington K.C., and a double-sculling combination from the Star Club. Of tho clubs north of Wellington, not one sent a crew of any sort, and, consequently, the affair was robbed of practically all its interest aa an inter-provincial gathering. The Coxswain Foolishness. Another matter afsome importance is the motion which is to bo moved, on behalf of tho Otago Association, that no coxswain under 7 stone is to be carried in regatta races. This rule obtains in Tasmania—which appears to be its one and only recommendation. There is no reason for its adoption at all, and it is likelv to receive but short shrift from the delegates. It is hard to believe that, even, in Otago, the declining birthrato problem has assumed sucli dimensions that there is a dearth of boys under seven stone. Rather Important Cablegram. On Wednesday the following cablegram was received from Sydney:— The New South Wales Rowing Association has ruled that New Zealand oarsmen competing for cosh prizes in club events, although only receiving trophies, personally lose their amateur status, and must be roinstatod before competing in amateur events in this State. No reinstated man shall be eligible to compete in inter-state or national contests. Naturally, this gave rise to much conjecture in the local rowing sheds. The position, as understood hitherto, had been that, since last season, Now Zealand oarsmen aro debarred from competing in Now South Wales in intor-state races because the clubs to which they belong compete for money prizes at regattas, although the won themselves receive trophies only.

Tho cable puts quite a now complexion on affairs. If it gives a correct indication of fho new ruling, tho only men affected are those who compete for cash prizes in club.events. . This, of course, is never dono in tho Dominion— our own amateur regulations totally prohibit it. Either tho cable man has prred in his message, or else the New South Wales Association has reopened tho , door to New Zealand competition in inter-state events. Let us hope that the latter alternative proves to bo tho correct one. Whatever Chance Can J. Arnst Have? On Monday' "Jack" Arnsi; and William Albany measure blades over tho championship courso on the Thames for a stake of .£SO aside. On paper tho New Zealander'e task appears to bo a hopeless one. It nmst bo conceited that Fogwell is a better sculler than Arnst, and according to report's of tho two races between Barry and Albany, and Barry and Fogwell,' tho Englishman gave his conqueror a harder race- than tlio Australian did. Therefore, it follows thet Albany is at least as good, if not better, than Fogwell and, if this reasoning is correct, what chance on earth, or rather, on water, can "Jack" Arnst have?

The Ultimatum of the Tai Tapu Giant. As was only to bo expected Dick Arasf a daggering stipulation for .£IOOO expenses betorc ho will consider racing Barry in England has brought down a shower of expostulation and protest on tbo champion's stubborn head. Tho cudgels aro taken up by "liigger," the aquatic expert of the Sydney "Daily Telegraph," on Arnst's behalf in the following statement of his side of the case: Of course, thero is no pot away from the fact that this sum is pretty stiff. When one comes to consider tho facts, however, it cannot be denied that Arnst is asking no more than he is entitled to ask in the circumstances. He has already gone half-way across the world to givo Barry a race, and has proved that the Englishman was not, at .that time, in his class. He came back to Australia again, and subsequently, in answer to Barry, agreed to givo him another race, and would go to tho Thames course for thnt purpose on being allowed .£750 expenses. Tnis was agreed to, and Arnst had made up his mind to make the trip, but since then Barry negotiated with another sculler for a race. As things are now, it would certainly be tho better plan for Barry to come out hero. It is not reasonable to expect his backers to put up his stake of £500 as well as XIOOO for expenses. It is generally admitted that a sculler has very good backers when he can get .£SOO for his stake without much trouble; but' when_ it conies to an additional JGI2OO, which they will never see again—well, to say the least, it is a very big order to fulfil. If Barry came out here he would probably not loso anything—unless the race—but on the other hand would stand to get back a little richer, even if ho did loso. Thero should be no difficulty in getting; a JCIOOO gate with two such men rowing, particularly after tho way the Pearco-Arnst' race was patronised.

Hound Our Own Boatshcds, Now that the season has been formally declared "open," things are assuming a more life-liko appearauce at tho boathouses. Tho Star skids particularly havo been presenting an animated appearance during tho week owing to. tho training for club races having commenced. Three events are now in session—Senior Fours, for which there are five crews engaged; Junior Fouts, seven crews; and Novice Pairs, six crews—a total of CO men in training. The Petono Club is opening its season next Saturday with the usual ceremony and series of inter-club races. With memories of the hospitality of the suburbanites at previous "openings," to spur them on, several of the town clubs' crows now in training, intend rowing up to participate in tho racing events should tho weather permit.