PERSONALITIES

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12621, 4 December 1926, Page 17

PERSONALITIES

No. I—ARTHUR D. BAYFEILD. Better known in rowing circles ns “Bay,” Arthur I). Bayfeild has for the past 25 years been one of the mainstays of the sport, not only in Wellington, but throughout New Zealand. He began his rowing career at Westport in the late ’nineties, being a member of the Kawatiri Club. In 1900 a removal to Wellington linked him up with the Star Club, in which he won practically all his honours on

the waver. His v.as the remarkable achievement of winning the club’s sennior fours for six consecutive seasons, and there are but few of the Star Club’s trophies on which his name does not appear at least once. He stroked the only Star crew which has been successful in carrying off the champion fours of New Zealand. On the executive side of the club's activities he held office for some years as* treasurer, and from 1911 to 1920. and again from 1923 to 1924, he was club captain. His unsparing efforts for the club as captain, and particularly his guidance during the difficult years of the war, proved him a worthy successor to the many able gentlemen who preceded him. Since his retirement from the captaincy he has been vif-o-president, and he continues to show his practical interest in his old club. Twenty-two years ago, on Mr Bayfeild being appointed secretary of the New Zealand A.R.A. (an office which he still holds), he commenced his fight for the tightening up of the amateur definition. He was successful in achieving his object and so making possible the interchange of visits between New Zealand and Australian oarsmen.