ROWING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1876, 9 October 1913, Page 5

ROWING.

THE ASSOCIATION'S REPORT. TWENTIETH YEAR. The twenty-sixth annual report of tho Now Zealand Rowing Association has been issued. The balance-sheet indicates a credit at tho bank of £70 3s. 9d., and there is a balance of assets, over liabilities to the amount of £70 Bs. 9d; The net excoss of receipts for tlio'year over expenditure is £2 16s. Bd. Tho number of clubs affiliated to tho association is 53, with a total paying membership of 3000. Auckland has 15 clubs, Wellington 3, Wangaiiui 5, Southland 5, Otago 6, Nelson 2, Marlborough 3, Hawko's Bay 6, and Canterbury 8. Chief Regatta. The past season's championships wero held under the auspices of tlio Welling-' ton Association, but the weather was not good. Representation, however, w;as much better, tho following associations being represented:—Auckland, Wauganui, Wellington, Marlborough, Canterbury, Nelson and Otago. " Tho form shown at the regatta was on the w'holo good, but there is room for improvement on that shown iii the rowing championship events. With one exception, Union (AYanganui). whoso display in both the Fours and Pairs was good, the entrants showed want of combination and uniformity—or at least something approaching uniformity in their style of rowing. This matter is' one which local a-ssoeiations should look into, and the council regret that their efforts to enlist the sympathy of local associations, by colleoting data from coaches, with the object of adopting, if possible, a uniform style of rowing for New Zealand, have not been successful. They, however, commend tho proposal to the incoming council. Oars and the . Youth. _ " Another matter to which your council- would draw attention is whether it is advisable that a youth should be entered to compote for a championship and later in tlio day row a race or races in youths or other classes. The question as to whether a man not vet matured is physically adapted and fit for such heavy work is one which should lie most carefully considered by his club before entering. A promising oarsman may easily be overworked, and have ' his career spoiled; and, again, a club's chances in youths' races are considerably lessened when one or more of its crew has previously rowed in a senior race. Amateur Definition. " A special meeting of delegates was held in Wellington on March 22 to consider various alterations to the amateur definition and rules of tho association. The object of such alterations was to permit of New Zealand oarsmen competing in championships in Australia and elsewhere. Tho meeting was well attended, but the majority of local associations had instructed their delegates to oppose the alterations, consequently wo aro in the same position as regards oversea competition as _we wero twelve months ago. A certain amount of progress has, however, -been made by your council, whom the Australian associations invited to be represented at their Interstate Conference in April -last. It was, however, impossible to arrange this, but letters wero beforo tho conference fully explaining our position, and stating that a special meeting of delegates was being held to consider alterations to our amateur definition and rules to brings same into lino with Australia." Some correspondence also took place between tlio New Zealand and Australian associations, and at the 'Australian conference the following resolution was passed:—"That Now Zealand bo informed that if t'heir amateur definition is altered in accordance with tho definition under which the Interstate races arc rowed there would be 110 objection to the admissjon of New Zealand crews in annual rowing championships of Australia, provided that tho States of tho Commonwealth are thereby placed under no obligation to send crews to Now Zealand." V

"A.t tlio meeting held in March a question was asked as to what guarantee thero was that if tho proposed alterations were adopted, Australia would recognise present menders of our clubs as amateurs and eligible to competo in Interstate contests. The resolution above is a clear and' satisfactory answer. _ Tho question your council has had since to consider in the face of tho decision of tlio last meeting of delegates, lias been whether tlio proposed alterations then submitted should bo again brought forward. They have decided to again submit to delegates the various alterations as tabled on March 22 next. Olympic Matters, " Your council lias been represented on tlio Olympic Council by Mossrs. Hammond and Bayfield. Tlio year, however, lias been a quiet one, hut with the approach of the next Olympiad the ensuing year wi'l probably bo busier. Two important matters have, however, been under discussion, viz., whether New Zealand should have separate representation, and whether the British Dominions sliould combine with tho Mother Country and enter a. Biitish. Empire team for the next Games, instead of separate teams as before. No decision has yet been come to." Champions. The list of ch a nip ions for the season 1912-13 was as follows:—Champion Fours, Union Boat Club (Wanganui): J. Cottrell (stroke), E. Ryland (3), H. Sharpe (2), D. Corby (bow). Champion Pairs, Union Boat Club (Wanganui): H. Sharpe (stroke), D. Cottrell (bow). Champion Sculls, Waitemata Boating Club (Auckland): D. Hadfield. Champion Doublo Sculls, Akaroa, Boating Club: Now ton (stroke), Westenra (bow).