ROWING

Evening Post, Volume LXXXV, Issue 33, 8 February 1913, Page 14

ROWING

(By "Scull.")'

- ~ ■ AVON'S PROTEST. The following letter, which has been shortened to reasonable limits, was re- • ceived too late to be commented upon in la6t week's notes : —"l would like to point out that your contributor was entirejy misleading in his statements contained in the issue of 18th January. In his remarks he stated that 'the Canterbury Rowing Association were interested with an appeal from the Avon Rowing Club,' and there leaves the matter altogether. In fairness ho should have stated that the Canterbury Rowing Association upheld the appeal, instead of leaving your readers in ignorance of the fact. His next remarks Were that in the youths' pairoar race Avon had No. 6 position and took No. 7; the maiden doubles had No. 7 position and took No. 6. I think, in ! fairness to the club concerned, ho might have made a supplementary remark, seei ing he was dealing .with the appeal. 1 would like to point out that the positions on the course were entirely misleading, there being six flags at the start and seven flags at the buoy which, crews had to turn. In the youths' race only six crews entered. They therefore started at the outside flag and turned the outside flag at the turn, which did not interfere with any other crew, but carried out the rule- as laid down on the regatta programme. In the maiden doubles, seven crews entered. One scratched, leaving only six crews to compete. Our crew therefore took the sixth flag, ,and turned the sixth buoy, as submitted, on tlie regatta programme. The writer finished Up by stating the umpires were very smart, and had a lot of running about to do, which was a very poor argument ,to defend "their action. _ His lust remarks are sntirely misleading. He state's, 'upon the evidence the umpires no doubt carried out their 'duties correctly. 1 In reply, I would point out to your contributor that it did not specify on the programme that crews would be disqualifiod for turning the; wrong buoy, but -ne contend our crews did not turn the wrong buoy, • becuuse it stated on the regatta programme that crewfc must fcUirt at a flag and iurn the i corresponding flag. Therefore the umpires were using imaginary rule 3 which were not stated on the programme. Trusting ypu will insert this letter fn fairness to tho club and cxewe/ttfing-jthg st&.tsm;eiifc jvgre. co mj*',

leading, I am, etc., H. Huskell, hon. secretary, A^ on Rowing Club." (Note. — The word "appeal" should be read as "protest."' — "Scull.") Thh is the paragraph referred to by Mr." Haskell. — " Last week the Canterbury Rowing Association was occupied in dealing with a protest from the Avon Rowing Club against tho umpire's decision in disqualifying Avon in the Youths' Pairs and Maiden Double Sculls. In the pairs, Avon started from No. 6 position, but took No. 7 post at the half-milo turn. In the other race they were allotted No. 7 position, and at tho turn took No. 6 flag. So 'wrongflag ' rulings followed as a matter of course, and thb umpire was possibly the busiest official on the coruse. He was both smart and painstaking, and, seeing how many time 3 he was called upon to use his judgment, he deserves a compliment. It was unfortunate for Avon, for there _ was no doubt as to their superiority, but the umpire must faithfully and justly perform his duties. On the evidence no doubt he carried them out correctly." T do not see that there is_ anything said that could be construed # into "misleading statements." But it is true, however^ that the Canterbury Rowing Association upheld the protest. Whether tho protest was upheld or upset, [ still contend that Avon plainly "upset tho critical apple-cart by infringements, thus justifying the umpire's disqualification of the Avon crews. Shortly, it was a study in t tactics, the rowers forgot that " the incident of the turning-flags " was to keep the competitors on their right courses, and that it was not a means of (fairly or unfairly) obtaining possession of any course or flag. I am against too much penalising in boat racing, just us 1 am against too much whistle at a football match. But penalties and whistle will reduce the unfair tendencies of^ the contest-spoiler, and will ensure fairer and better racing for the sport. It was a great pity the umpires did not give their decision earlier, it was clearly unfair for them to leave it until all the racing had finished. It is said that the hour generally produces the men, and hour has come to the Wellington Rowing Club. Next week they will have a senior crew quite worthy of the old club's traditions. The crew will consist of C. and R. Hegglun, Blanchard, and Jackson, and will clearly be a team the embodiment of both strength and skill.