ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1539, 7 September 1912, Page 12

ROWING.

[Bi "Heeotht.'T RULED OUT-R. ARNST.' / ■ . How World's Challenges Stand Now. The latest news to hand re the ecuHlng championship considerably clears the air. Avnst has justified the worst fears of his well-wishers, and has, for the time being, if not for over, pulled out of tho game. This leaves the field clear for Durnan, and Pearce. Both are catered for—the' Canadian is to be gratified in his desire for a race in October, and is to receive iIOO for his expenses, plus half the steamer takings. The Pearce match is now absolutely clinched. The champion has not only accepted tho Australian challenger, but has put up his .£IOO forfeit money, and i if present arrangements hold the meeeting will eventuate in May of next year. This ,nction...of:;B.arry.'6 regarding hie "forfeit." ehows pretty clearly that he is iy>t taking tho Durnan affair very seriously, although he is not likely to allow his opinion in this respect 'to interfere with his preparation for the race. .The position now is that, when racing Duman, he not only throws into tho ecale his title and his JESOO stako, but also the •£IOO posted for the Pearco enyngomeut, and in tho event of hie losing to the.Canadian (a. most unlikely event, by tho way) he must forfeit the .£IOO to Pearce. This is decidedy taking sporting chances, but all through it must bo said fchnt Barry's attitude has been most commendable in its 6portsmanliko qualities. He has met his would-be opponents very fairly in'all rcspWts, and although'.insisting upon his rights nnd privileges, has not adopted that "these-are-my-torms-take-thcm-or-leave-them attitude that it was feared would follow upon his reported statement that he would not allow .airy expenses whatever to challengers. The All-Important Owestion-The Amateur Status. At the Star Boating Club's annual meeting Inst week, the, to rowing men. all-important subject of Oho amateur status of New Zealand oarsmen formed tho topic of an interesting discussion. The pros and cons of tho question were gone into pretty thoroughly, and eventually it was unanimously decided that, the-clubsr delegates to tho Wellington R.A. be instructed to do what is necessary to bring tho matter before the N.Z.A.R.A. again, with tho object of amending tho present regulations, bo that our oarsmen, would bo eligiblo to conio as amateurs outside New Zealand. . ■ It will be remembered that the .subject was brought before tflile N.Z.A.R.A. at a epecial meeting last season in the shape of a motion by Mr. A. D. Bayfiold, running :— That in the opinion of this meeting of delegates tho time has arrived for tho exclusion of professionals in other branches or amateur eport from competing as amateur onrsmen, and it bo a consideration to the council to amend the definition accordingly, tho samo to bo brought down for confirmation at the annual moeting of delegates in October next," Through Boino sbrnngo misapprehension in the minds of tho delegates, this motion was lost by a largo majority, and this despite tho fact that, to "Mercury s personal knowledge, a large majority ot those who voted against it were, and are still, very much of the opinion that tho alteration should be mado. "Mercury" has a copy of the minutes of tho meeting before him as he writes, and it is plain from these that Mr. Bayfield's motion was taken as an endeavour to effect the alteration right away, whereas what Mr. Bayfield sought was merely nil expression froni tho delegates thatin their personal opinion tho time was ripe ■ for tho change. „■,.'. In short, tho meeting wns oalled simply to discuss tho question, so that if thought desirable afterwards the delegates could instruct the council to bring forward a resolution in tho correct way. However, as stated, tho position was total,y misunderstood. Nearly all tho dolegates stated that they Were in opposition to the motion solely owing to instructions from their centres, although how <my instructions from their centres could attect their personal opinions—which is what thov wove, nsl;ed to record—is hard to sajr. Also, a leler was vend from the president of the Southland Association protesting against any alteration being mado-a stop which was surely out of order, as the opinion of this gentleman was not asked for in tho motion. The reasons for the opposition by the centres will bo dealt with later on. It is onlv intended hero to note with satisfaction that the matter is not to bo allowed to drop because, of this one whuff. It is perhaps the most important ninttw with which the A.R.A. has had to deal foi voars, nnd it is satisfactory to know that t.hero aro in Wellington some enthusiasts who appreciate, this fact, and who are, for tho good of the sport, prepared to push the matter to tho bitter end.