LATE SPORTING NEWS

Marlborough Express, Volume LXXVI, Issue 248, 21 October 1942, Page 2

LATE SPORTING NEWS

ROWING MARLBOROUGH ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING LAST NIGHT. The annual meeting of the Marlborough Amateur Rowing Association was held at Picton last evening. The vice-president (Mr C. A. Webster) presided, and also present were Messrs J. Thomas, W. E. Gibbons and B. Glover (Wairau), J. H. Morrison, R. H. Hadfield and L. Workman (Blenheim), C. Peek and Roy Smith (Picton), C. P. Hadfield (treasurer) and A. M. Hale (secretary). The president, Mr A. A. Whiting, who was unavoidably absent, was granted leave of absence. ANNUAL REPORT.

In presenting the annual report, the secretary, Mr Hale, referred with regret to the unavoidable abandonment last year of the inter-club contests and the annual regatta which were to have been held on Picton Harbour on Boxing Day and New Year's Day respectively. Arrangements made to carry on along limited lines had also had to be discarded — not through any lack of willingness to carry on the sport, but because of the fact that the nation was at war. Such upsets, he added, brought home more forcibly the need for making new arrangements for the management of this Association's affairs, and also in regard to the position of affiliated clubs. The annual meeting of the N.Z.A.R.A. would be held in Wellington this month, and no doubt the parent body would determine a general policy for all rowing associations for the duration of the war.

Thanks to past prosperous days the Association's finances were in a sound position The N.Z.A.R.A. annual meeting had been attended by their president and himself, added Mr Hale. Appreciation of the Marlborough Association's work had been shown by the re-election as a vice-president of Mr Whiting. During the year the Wanganui Union had loSt an esteemed oarsman and member in the late Mr Duncan Corley. Because of early associations with members of the Picton and Blenheim Rowing Clubs at championship regattas, and from the fact that many who had known him both in Picton and Blenheim had passed away, Mr Hale said he had sent a telegram on behalf of the Association expressing its sympathy to the bereaved relatives. The report concluded with a sincere expression of appreciation of the long services of the Association's auditor (Mr F. Mogridge). The balance-sheet disclosed that the year was commenced with a credit balance of £117. The receipts were £13 and the expenses £14, the year being ended with a credit of £116. The chairman, in moving the adoption of tftfe report and balancesheet, complimented the officers on their good work and said that he considered the Association to be in a sound position. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted:— President, Mr A. A. Whiting (reelected) ; vice-president (two nominations) , Mr C. A. Webster (reelected) ; secretary, Mr A. M. Hale re-elected) ; "treasurer, Mr C. P. Hadfield (ye-elected)i auditor, Mr F. Mogridge (re-elected) ; trustees to P.O.S.B. account, secretary and treasurer. The secretary was appointed as the Association's delegate at the annual meeting of the N.Z.A.R.A. at Wellington on October 29, £2 15s being allowed towards his travelling expenses. Mr Thomas moved that the secretary be granted an honorarium of £5 5s. but Mr Hale declined to accept

that amount. Finally"it" was agreed that the amount be £2" 10s. The secretary advised that on behalf of the Association he had nominated Mr A. A. Whiting as vicepresident of the N.Z.A.R.A. and that as no other nomination had been received Mr Whiting would be reelected. On the motion of Mr Thomas the secretary's aetion was confirmed. PROSPECTS FOR FUTURE. The chairman invited suggestions i as to how the Association could best operate this year to help keep rowing moving in Marlborough, and as to the possibility of holding - some regattas. The Picton Club delegates stated that there were no prospects of any regattas being held at Picton as their club now had only three active members. It had been decided that the club would not take any active part this year. The chairman said he would like to see the Picton Club open its shed this year in order to keep the sport going in Picton. The secretary stated that he thought regattas could be held between crews from the Wairau and Blenheim Clubs, which were fortunate in having oarsmen from the Armed Forces. He said he also would like to see the Picton Club open the season in order to make its plant available to any crews' who might get down from Blenheim for a row. It was decided' to leave the matter to the Picton Club delegates to report to their committee. The meeting decided that the Association 's; two eight-oared boats should not be used this season. — v —