N.Z. OARSMEN

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1930, Page 6

N.Z. OARSMEN

FOR EMPIRE GAMES

| By Telegraph, Per Press Association

BLENHEIM, May 9

Northern criticism of the selected All Black .eight to row at the Empire Games, to be held at Ontario, Canada, was brought under the notice of Mr A. J. MaoLaine, President of the N.Z. Rowing Association. One northern paper stated that northern rowig circles considered the strongest 'poSssi’ole side had not been chosen, and make tile ominous prophecy that financial support of the oarsmen will not be fortmoming, for the reason that the best available crew had not been chosen.

Mr Mac-Lain** strongly deprecated tho criticism being as an ill-tiined attempt to destroy public confidence, in the chosen crew, and he expressedthe hope that not m would deter irowjni,g enthusiasts, from the determination to send the crew overseas. He defended the choice made by the selectors, saying: “I thin'- v.hey have picked a good crew, very representative l of the Dominion’s rowing strength. Every rowing district with the exception of W'oim nui, which did not conipbte in any big event tliL season has at least one memlber in the twelve se'c'tivl to train, and the crew finally selected will be an excellent one, and should do full justice to New Zealand.”

Mr MacLaine gave it as his opinion ttha.t Sand os /(Hamiton) and Olsson Pirton) were the two best oarsmen in New Zealand to-day. He added that it was practically certain that the crew would be trained at Wanganui. it would go into training on June 10, leaving New Zealand on July Ist.