ROWING

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2595, 18 October 1915, Page 3

ROWING

NEW ZEALAND AMATEUR ASSOCIATION CHAMPIONSHIPS ABANDONED The twenty-eighth annual meeting of tho 1V Zealand Amateur Rowing Association-' was held inutile Star Boating Shed on Saturday night. Mr. R, W. M'Villy (representing Otago) presided, and the other delegates present "were: Messrs. 33. liuies :an<l H. Blamfiekl (Auckland); S. L. Partnd S e r (Canterbury); J. E. Widdop and D. R. Alenzies (Wellington); J. N. Barnes Uuthkmd); A. Gray and G. Lauchjan (Wangfliuii); A. D. Bayfield (Nelson). • Ine annual report showed that the financial position was satisfactory, the credit balance at the bank beiaig Jci2 15s. 2d., and the balance of assets over liabilities being 12s. Sd. During tho year the sum of ,£75 was placed on fixed deposit at per cent. The number of clubs affiliated totalled 51, with a total active paying membership of 2335, against 2730 last year.

"In common with all other Branches of amateur sport," states the report, "row- . ing is feeling the effects of. the great war now Taging, and this is the cause of decreased membership shown above. Tho number of regattas held during tho year is far short of previous years, and tho majority of them have been for patriotic fund purposes. Your council congratulate the athletes of the Dominion, especially tho members of . rowing clubs, on the splendid response made by them to the call to the colours. So far as can bo ascertained the members of clubs affiliated to this association who have joined tho New Zealand Expeditionary Forces . total 970, a record to be pro;iid of. A roll of honour is appended- to tho report and includes the names of many who havo fallen, and your council extend to the relatives of these bravo men/ oil behalf of the rowing clubs of ■ the Dominion, their deepest sympathy in the loss which they ■have suffered. Whilst no anxiety need l>e felt as to the future -welfare of your association, many affiliated clubs, owing to depleted membership, aro seriously affected, and the prospects of rowing for the next year or two cannot be considered good.- Much, however, can be done by the officers of local associations and clubs looking after their youngeT members, those not of military age, because on them will fall the building up of rowing after the war is over, ana if good sound tuition can be given now the foundation Trill lie well laid. It is freely admitted that the athletes of the Dominion have excelled in the greater contest which they are now engaged in ;let those who for various reasons cannot serve do their utmost to train the younger manhood of this country, so that in time to come they can, if called on, worthily uphold the traditions of New Zealand so well established by the Expeditionary Forces now fighting for King and coumtry." i'he chairman moved ihe adoption of the Teport and balance-sheet, and referred to the effect of.the war on rowing. Ho eaid that 1005 members of the different clubs had volunteered for service, which was 13 per cent, of the total membership, including the ineligibles. It really represented about 50 per cent, of the total number of eligibles, and showed that the men who were keen in sport were keen in doing their duty towards the ■Empire. (Hear, 'hear.) The rowing, outlook was not too cheerful, but they had to do their best .to keep the sport goingwhile the young heroes from the clubs were doing their duty at. tho front.

The report and balance-sheet \ ero adopted. Some discussion took place on the question of the annual regatta, and . the Wanganui delegates expressed tho opinion that the championships should be abandons this year, if the: war continued. Mr. Gray moved that the meeting should ])s abandoned, and said that it would be a graceful tribute to the boys' who were nt the front. No harm At all would be done to rowing. . The motion was carried'. The election of officers resulted as follows:—President,: Mr. G. J. BiildeU, Picton (re-elected); vice-presidents,' Messrs. P. Evans (Wanganui) and A. J. Farmer (Auckland); hon. secretary and treasurer, jfr. A. D. Bayfield (re-elected); council, Messrs. R, W. M'Villy, . E. .Lines, G. LauchLan, D. R. Slenzies, J. E. Widdop, S. L. Partridge, and J. N. Bames; auditor, Mr.,G. C. Eache (re-elected). Mr. Gray (Wanganui) moved the following addition to the rules:—"That ■ the minimum weight of coxswains used at regattas under the jurisdiction of -the 'N.Z.A.R.A. be five and a half 6tone." A similar motion was rejected last year. After discussion Mr. Gray amended the motion .to allow that any deficiency in weight can be made up by lead or approved ballast. The motion was lost by 14 votes to 1. The Canterbury Association moved the following amendment: "That Rule 23, Rules for Amateur.Regattas,.be amended to Tead as follows: 'The committee shall . r.ppoint one or more judges, who will include at least one membor of the .local association tf tho N.Z.A.R.A. The decision of the judge or judges as to the order .in which the boats' pass the post shall be final/'" , ■ • / . The amendment was carried -unanimously.