ROWING

Evening Star, Issue 22451, 23 September 1936, Page 4

ROWING

OTAGO ASSOCIATION MEETS A meeting of the Otago Rowing Association was held last night, with Mr S. G. Styche in the chair. Delegates present were Messrs A. Watson, J. Hurrell (North End), D. J. Priest, E. V. Fairbairn, J. Turnbull (Oamaru), S. G. Styche, F. Brough (Otago), N. Wilson, W. B. Robinson (University), F. V. Mackie, J. Colthorpe, W. J. Lysaght (Port Chalmers), L. R. Fountain (Queen’s Drive), and P. Vallis. Two n,ew delegates, Messrs J. Hurrell (North End) anti Mr N. H. Wilson (University), were welcomed by the chairman, ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Notification was received that the annual conference in Wellington was fixed for October 29. After soriie discussion the secretary was instructed to write requesting that the meeting be held during the day to allow southern delegates to return by the interisland express steamer the same night. Mr T. F. Mackie was nominated as a vice-president of the N.Z.A.R.A. DAMAGE TO EIGHT-OAR BOAT. The secretary (Mr P. Vallis) reported that an emergency sub-committee had authorised the payment of £ls for re-

pairs to the Upper Harbour cight-oar boat.—The sub-oommmittee’s action was approved. In reply to a letter asking for assistance towards the cost of repairing the boat, the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association advised that it could not assist in the repairs and upkeep of eights. This was a responsibility of the local association. The secretary later reported that an anonymous donation of £lO had been received, as well as a cheque for £5 5s from the Otago Harboar Board towards the cost of the repairs. The board accepted or admitted no liability whatever in regard to the damage done to the boat. Steps had also been taken by the board to remove as far as possible any obstruction in the portion of the harbour where the boat struck the pile, this being done in the interests of those engaged in aquatic pursuits generally. The board was also endeavouring to obtain a refund of the expense involved from the Defence Department, who were considered responsible for the removal of the piles.—Both donations were received with thanks. DUTY ON IMPORTED BOATS. The Secretary of the New Zealand Amateur Rowing Association wrote that he had discussed the matter of duty on best-and-best boats with the Customs Department, which advised that it was the desire of the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. E. Parry) to encourage the building of these boats in the Dominion, ana because of which he was not agreeable to allow the remission of duty to continue. At the same time, however, it was not desired to cause any undue hardship, and the representations made bad met with the suggestion that before ordering a best-and-best boat from overseas the club or association concerned should first write to the Comptroller of Customs applying for remission of duty, stating the reason why it was desirable that they should purchase outside the Dominion and whether they had asked New Zealand builders for a quotation^—Received. EIGHT-OAR CHAMPIONSHIP. . It was decided that the various associations be written to pointing out that the Otago Association considered that Easter was too late in the season for the date of the interprovincial eightoar championship, and asking that support be given to a proposal to bring the fixture forward in the season. ANNUAL MEETING. _ The annual meeting of the association was fixed for October 14.