BODY THE MACHINE

Evening Star, Issue 22147, 30 September 1935, Page 14

BODY THE MACHINE

“ RCWIKG A GO m SPORT" OTAGO CLUB SEASON OPENED ' “ Sport Is part of the life of this country, and rowing is a good sport. Moreover, in these days of speed, when most people are content, to rely on machines for many purposes, including sport, it is indeed pleasing to us to know that so many young men appreciate rowing, in which their bodies 'are the machines.” In this strain Mr J. F. M'Grath (president) declared open the C3rd season of the Otago Rowing Club on Saturday afternoon in the presence of over 100 members, representatives of the four sister clubs of the harbour, oarsmen of former days, and other followers of the sport, including ladies. As Mr M'Grath remarked in welcoming the visitors, the gathering was perhaps the largest ever to attend such a function, and it was distinctly encouraging to the club, whicli.be wished every success in'the ensuing season. 1 When a novice joined, the club, Mr M'Grath added, he was taken in hand and taught the science of rowing. This could not be-acquired in a day; rather if die wanted to excel at the sport ho would have to devote muck time to it, .but it was time well spent, since’ he was all the while in the open air and sunshine. It depended entirely on himself as to what kind of an oarsman he made, and it behoved him to keep his body in good trim, bo temperate in his habits, and regular with training. Smooth, _ strong body actions were essentials in rowing, which gave in reurn better physical and mental' development than many another sport. Finally, he thanked the committee responsible for the preparation of the clubhouse and plant for the opening, and declared that given fair weather the club would prosper in the rawing days ahead. Patron of the club, Mr F. W. Mitchell expressed pleasure that many youths were still eager’ to sacrifice their time to participate in “ the king of ■ sports.” Rowing required the co-or-dination of every part of the body, and anyone seeking a healthy body builder should not overlook it. He congratulated the club on its handsome boathouse. which he described as a palace compared with the primitive sheds with which rowers had to be content when he was actively engaged in the sport. Even the boats were much finer craft nowadays, and ho, complimented the members on the car© they bestowed on th “l think that the board, in spite-of the many other calls on its resources, has a friendly feeling _ toward boat clubs and within certain hunts at is keen to encourage rowing,, said Mr a. B. Waters (chairman of the Habbour Board) Speaking as one who rowed as a. member of the club in 1883, he, too, said there was no finer sport in which a man could engage himself that would give him better exercise to develop mind and muscle Ilian the science of rowing. ■ ‘ ~ . Remarking that the large gathering augured well for the future of the sport in Dunedin, Mr S. G. Styclie (vicepresident of the Otago Rowing Association) claimed that there was more fraternity among oarsmen, past and present, than in many other spheres. He specially welcomed the old-timers— Messrs R. Thompson, G. Hogan, T. F. Mackie, C. M'Phee, W. Hooper, and W. Ren nick. _ Speaking of rowing 45 years ago, Mr W. F. Edmond said that competition was then keen ■ throughout the year, duo to the fact that many business houses.had their own boats and crews. Ho made special reference to the debt the club owed such outstanding members as Mr Sydney Muir (the first secretary, who now, at the age of 91, lived at Broad Bay and still interested himself in the club’s affairs), Mr J. A. Gook, Mr M'Grath, the late Mr Maurice Priest, and the late Sir James Mills. Good wishes were also conveyed to the club by Messrs W. B. Robinson (president of the association), T. F. Mackie (Port Chalmers Club), D. M. Matheson (Queen’s Drive Club), P. Verngreen (North End Club, who agreed that the club’s decision to open the season a month earlier than usual was a wise one), J. Crawford • (University Club, who hoped that his club would soon have a boathouse of its own), and W. Hooper.

The badge of life membership wa* pinned on Mr P’. S. Anderson, who suitably replied,, mentioning that his asso-' ciation with the club went back 17 years. Aii informal function followed, the opening ceremony, and two crews launched boats fin- the first time of the season, despite a moderate northerly wind and choppy water.