ROWING

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 35, 11 February 1933, Page 6

ROWING

Br "Stroke" THE MOTHES SHIELD

EXCELLENT REGATTA

EVENTS REVIEWED

Despite the inclement weather and unfavourable rowing conditions, the Mothes Shield Regatta, held last Saturday, proved to be the most successful yet staged. The issue was in doubt until the end of the last race, when amidst great, excitement Wellington .secured the shield by two points from Star and Petone, who finished equal. The following is a review of the events:— Junior Fours: Interest in this event was lost to a great extent as the Petone1 crew smashed in half the No. 2 seat on the way out. to the start. The starter had been instructed to commence the races as quickly as possible and to wait for nobody. It was an unfortunate setback for Petone, as they boated a" strong crew. After a scraggy exhibition of rowing Star de- , feated Wellington'by two lengths. Maiden Double Sculls: This event was won easily by Wellington (Luke and Sutherland), who.sculled well within themselves to,win by three lengths from Star. The combination of tho winners was excellent^ ■ ■*• Maiden. "Fours:; Five crews started in this event, which Petone No. 1 won by two lengths.. There was a close finish for second place; Wellington- No.l just beating Star, with. Wellington No. 2 half a length'away third. The winners gave a good exhibition of powerful'rowing.' . . Lightweight Maiden Fours: This race was a tussle between the two Wellington crews, who completely outclassed the rest of the field. The No. 1 crew won by three-quarters of a length from the N0..2 crew, who were using a practice boat. Maiden Single Sculls.—Conditions were not very suitable for good sculling, and Luke (Wellington) had no difficulty in winning ■ from, Hutchens' (Star) by, five lengths. Senior "Fours: This was one of the finest events of the day. Five crews competed and were well together for most of the distance. About 300 yards from the finish it was seen that Petone No. 1, Star, and Petone No. 2 were on level terms. Petone No. 1 had the inside running and were rowing the nicest. Copke- (Star) quickened 100 yards from the line, but Kodda's crew (Petone No. 1) Bhowed a fine burst of speed, enabling it to" win.by one length from Star.; This Petone crew should do well in "future events, as last Saturday' was its first, appearance in senior ranks, where it acquitted itself admirVj ably. Junior Pairs: The Petone pair proved to be vastly superior "to Star and Wellington. On form Lind and Gimblett1 will take a ; lot of beating in junior pairs. They -were indeed unfortunate in being prevented from rowing at Pic-; ton Regatta through - tie fault of the starter. On Saturday they defeated by five lengths the Star crew that won at Picton. Youths' Fours: All-the crews in this race were new and untried. It was early seen that Star and Petone were going to fight out the finish, Wellington being well behind. The Petone crew were fitter and crossed the line two lengths ahead.. " . Maiden Pairs: Tins Tace developed into a procession, Petone,leading Wellington No. 1, who were followed by Wellington No. 2. Star lost all chances of winning through a'yacht crossing nearby and striking their bow oar, causing the- boat to. stop and turn round. Petone won'by two lengths after rowing in a free and easy style. Welterweight Junior Fours: All the crews started vwell,' Star No. 1 having a slight lead off; Oriental Bay. Petone, who were-rowing in -the outside position alongside .Wellington, ruined their own and Wellington's chances of victory through the fault of the coxswain, who steered- at right angles to the course. Wellington were forced to stop, and Star No. 1 obtained a good lead which Wellington reduced to one length at the . finish.; This incident 'spoilt what promised to be a close race" among the three crews." •Senior Pairs: The excitement was intense at the commencement of this the" last race. The Star pair, Cooke and Mulliris, won theoventafter a splendid exhibition of pair-oared rowing combination. In a fight for.second place (Bright and West), the veteran Wellington pair, wore too good for (Hieksou and Abbott) Petone, who were beaten by two lengths. Wellington's policy in seeking the calm water was vindicated, as tho Petono men were tired after battling through the rough sea, and in the final.Bprint were absolutely rowed but; This race gave Wellington the shield, which it has not held since 1924. : '" . A feature of the 'regatta was the keen spirit of rivalry which existed among the clubs, and, above all, was noticed the fine sportsmanship of the competitors "who would not allow several aggravating circumstances to interfere with the sport.""""" Association to Pay Income Tax! The New Zealand Bowiag Council has been called upon to pay. income tax amounting to £3 4s _5d on. the small amount of income derived by the N.Z.A.R.A. from funds on deposit. Objection was made by the council to the assessment on the grounds that the association's funds were spent, in com--mon with other athletic bodies, on the physical development of New Zealand youth, and in sending representatives abroad on tours that did much to advertise the country. The objection was not sustained by the Department, and it: :appears that the. council will have to: pay. , ' ;. *:■■•■ ;';Tle council may be congratulated, however, on. haying been able to sell the' oars used .■ at the Olympic Games before the operation of the Sales Tax. "Mystery" Eight Fails. That there is no "mystery" eight in Otago was surely; proved in the interclub eights rowed recently, states the Dunedin "Star," over a course of two miles. In the first heat Otago, in tho Upper Harbour boat, met North End, who rowed in the ("mystery") Lower Harbour boat. Otago got the advantage from the start and maintained the lead the whole way, although North End put. in a strong challenge in the last hundred yards or so, but failed to overtake Otago, who won by a length. The water for the first mile was dead calm, but a side jobble made rowing rather awkward for 'the stretch from Waverley to the head of the whares. Championship Regatta. Mr. G. Lauchlan, chairman of the . New Zealand Rowing Council, has been appointed" "to"represent the council at the Championship' Regatta to be held afc Wanganui on 4th March. In the event; of Mr. Lauehlan not being able to attend the.council will be represented by Mr. R. Or. Duncan.