Rowing ANNUAL REPORT

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 103, 28 October 1933, Page 24

Rowing

ANNUAL REPORT

By "Strokt."

NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION

GOOD PROGRESS MADE

The report of the New Zealand j Amateur Bowing Association to be presented at the annual meeting of the association on Tuesday is an encouraging one, and shows that the sport is making steady progress throughout tho Dominion. The total levy collected during the year amounted to £43 6s Od, as against £37 19s for 1932, indicating an increased membership of 213 members. Expenditure was rnoro than had been anticipated owing to a claim for damage to a pair-oar boat loaned by tho Avon Club for use at Olympic Games, having to be met. The accumulated fund stood at £2052 13s sd, as against £2065 14s 6d last year, the only liability being 0110 for income tax, estimated at £3 ss. The credit balance at the end of the year was £95 18s 5d against £47^ 9s 5d brought forward into the year' 3 -accounts. Affiliated clubs numbered 49, and dues had been paid by 1731 active rowing members, compared with 1518 last year. One new club, the Otago University Club; had been affiliated, while the Ngaruawahia and Whakatano Clubs were again active after a lapse of some years. ■ In his report on the championship regatta held at Wanganui last March Mr. G. Lauchlan said that tlio racing was of a high standard, and the course was. well buoyed and clearly marked. The starting of the race 3 was well nigh perfect, and whenHho largo entries wero considered —in one race there were fourteen starters —it reflected great credit on the starter, Mr. C. Breed. Mr. Lauchlan placed on record his appreciation of the very fine organisation which managed tho regatta. After referring to the interprovincial championship eights the report states that it is regretted that the North v. South race did not take place owing to tho fact that the selected oarsmen could not be located promptly, and tho need for early transit of boats back to town. However, a race.of this nature was one which could not fail to arouse much public interest, and it was regretted that tho enterprise of the Wellington ltegatta Club was not successful in this instance.. The idea of a North v. South contest was recommended by the council to local associations, qnd tho experience gained in this instance would no doubt be of advantage to those arranging such a race in future. Bowing events are not included in tho programme of, events of the British Empire Games to bo held in London next year. New Zealand, however, would no doubt be represented in athletic and other events, and the proposal to send as strong a team as possible from the Dominion had .the support of tho council. * One appeal only has been beforo the council during the past year. This was an appeal from the Port Chalmers Club against the decision of the Otago Association in dismissing their protest against disqualification in the senior fours at Lake Waihola on February 4. Disqualification was incurred owing to the Port Chalmers crew finishing outside the flag marking the finishing line. The umpire's decision was upheld by the Otago Association, and subsequently confirmed by the council, the .club's appeal -being dismissed. At th& same time the council was of opinion that when it is necessary to flag a course an opportunity should be taken of notifying competitors by posting a suitable notice in dressing tent or rooms, or at boat launching point or elsewhere according to local conditions, so that there may be no excuse for competitors pleading that they do not know where the finishing point is. The practice of showing a diagram of the course, as adopted by some associations, on tho official programme was recommended by the council. Full consideration to the application of tho East Coast Association for an eight-oar boat,, referred to the council by the last meeting of delegates, had been given. The application unfortunately had to be declined, the council being of opinion that finances did not permit the expense being incurred. For a similar reason an application from the Auckland Association for a boat to bo located at Hamilton for the use of Waikato clubs, was also declined.