ROWING

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 21, 20 October 1919, Page 6

ROWING

SEASON FORMALLY OPENED,

The Wellington Rowing Association formally opened its season on Saturday afternoon, but was unablo to hold any rowing events on account of the northerly gale. Mr. W. Gaudin (vice-president of tho association. and president of tho Wellington Rowing Club), declared tho seawin open. In, doing so. lie apologised for tins absence of. the Hon. Sir> Francis ]sell (president of the Now Zealand Amateur Rowing Association), who was prevented' by pressure of business from attending. Mr. Gaudin observed that the opening was the first that had been held for'five years. 'During the period of Hie war rowing had been neglected owing fo tl|c large number of followers of the 6port' that had enlisted. In the first twelve months of the war over 1500 members of the New Zealand Association (which had a total membership of 2600) had donned khaki., Mr. Gaudin said that he did ilot mean to claim that rowing had done more in the war than other sporh had done, but he was sure that it. had done its 6hare. There was no reason that the sport should not come into'itd own again. The war had shown the value of athletics to the life of tho nation, and it might be claimed that rowing ivas ono of the best and' most wholesome of all forms of sport. AVlien the formalities were over visitors and friends of club-members were entertained at afternoon tea in the clubrooms.

HONOURS BOARD UNVEILED. In the Wellington Rowing Club's rooms Mr. Gaudin lator unveiled the club's mil of honour, which recorded the service of between fifty and sixty members. The list included (lie names of nine members who had laid down their lives. Tn token of respcct to the memory of these men. tiie spoctalors rose to their feet as the unveiling was performed.