NEW ZEALAND ROWING ASSOCIATION

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 42, 13 November 1920, Page 14

NEW ZEALAND ROWING ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. Tho annual meeting of tho New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association was held last evening in the Star Boating Club's boathouso. Mr. li. W. M'Vill.y presided. Tho annual report mentioned that 42 clubs bad paid dues to the association. Tho championship regatta hold on the Wangamii ilivor for the first time after a lapse of four years attracted very representative entries and proved very successful. The question of having tho duty on boats and oars removed had received the attention..of tlio council, but it liad been found that unless tlio present Customs tariff was revised no iniprovement could bo reeordod. Tho Minister of Custonvi had sta.cd, however, that it was probable that there would lie a general revision of the Customs tariff next year, and then he wbiild. see what relief could be given to rowing clubs. No doubt tho most important matter dealt with by the association during the past year was'that of tho amateur definition. In .March and again in Uctober, 11113, the council, being convinced o£ tlio need of amending -the existing definition so as not to include professionals in other branches of sport as amateur oarsmen, submitted to delegates tlic necessary alterations, but were not successful. However, the success iu England and on the Continent, in nmatcur rowing events, of our soldier representatives who, on their return to New Zealand, stressed the need of the alteration mentioned, also the abolition of the tern "prize money," decided the council .to again submit tlicir proposals. This was done at a special meeting of delegates held in Wellington on March 27 last, when all tho proposals were agreed to and are now part of the rules of the association. At any time now, should it be desired that an invitation be eont to, or should one bo received from either England or Australia, there should be no objcctiogf raised on the question of "definition.' This, the council feels, is as it should be, and they congratulate all parties concerned in the alterations made. The Sports Protection Leaguo convened ft meeting of representatives..of all governing sporis bodies to consider if it were possible to adopt an' amateur definition which would bo acceptable to all. lho report of the committee set up to look into the matter has not yet been re : ceived. The report added that tho council had ruled that "nn amateur oarsman may play League football provided he does'not receive payment for doing The statement of accounts showed that the . association's position financially is sound, The credit balance at the bank is .fi'it 10s. -W., and the balance -of assets over liabilities is Xl-tO. The chairman said that lie was glad to see a revival in rowing, and referred to tho success of tlie championship regatta After referring to the Olympic Games and the success which bad attended Iladficld's efforts at Antwerp, he mentioned tho question of amateur definition. He was very sorry that Mr i .D. Bayfoild, who liad been secretary tor the past 14 years, could not accept office again. , r, Auckland, Southland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Marlborough Associations had applied for the championship regatta to bo lield in their district, but Wellington had later withdrawn. ;Jt was decided to hold the championship at Marlborough in February. Tlio election of officers as follows:—President, Mr. 1!. .T. Riddell; viceMessrs. li. W. M'Villy and F D TCesteven; council, Messrs. •>. A. Barnes, E. Innqs, .T. E. Widdop, D. R. Mnnzies, A. D. Bayfeild, B. A. Mams, and G. Lauchlan; s.fr-retary and treasurer, held over until the first meeting of the council; 'Hon. auditor, ALi. G. C. Faclie.