BOWING.

Otago Witness, Issue 2896, 15 September 1909, Page 63

BOWING.

OTAGO BOWING ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Otago Rowing Association was held in ] the office of the secretary (Mr E. S. Wilson) on Wednesday evening. Mr F. W. Mitchell (president) occupied the chair, and there were about 20 delegate ( present. . . ' The chairman, in moving the adoption ( of the report (already published) and balance sheet, stated that he felt very grati- ' tied that the association had during the , I past season attained such a good financial ! position, and that its efforts had been atj tended with so much success. Above all else, they had succeeded in securing what they had been striving after for years — namely, to turn the tables on their worthy friends in Southland and capture the Edmond Challenge Shield. At the Waihola regatta they had had everything :n their favour, but the attendance of the public was not by any means as large as they were entitled to exoect. Had it not been for the splendid efforts of a few, notably "Mr Brewer, they would have 'ust scraped through financially, but they had been * able to show a profit. There was no doubt but that from a regatta point of view Port Chalmers had many points in its favour. It was superior to any place within range. Still, Waihola had a, better course in fine weather, and it trave oarsmen more chance of showing what they could do on fresh water courses when they went afield. There was, however, another matter to take into consideration in regard to Waihola. Assistance that they had received there in the past they could not look for in the future, and they could not run a regatta at Waihola without outside assistance. And as they oould not look for outside assistance there in future, they must make up their minds that the next regatta must be held at Port Chalmers. This year the association had the largest amount at credit since it had been in existence — namely, £104 12s 7d. ' That position was due to the general \ enthusiasm of members and in no small measure to the yeomen service rendered by the secretary, Mr E. S. Wilson. He hoped that in a few years' time the association would financally bo 6o strong that t it would be able to satisfactorily provide for its servants and also be able to do I without outside assistance in the wav of | subscriptions. In connection with racing i boats he considered that a wrong 1 movr> ' had been made by the New Zealand i Amateur Association. During the early | part of the season before last the weight definition waa withdrawn in regard to maiden boats. Consequently maiden boats were made so light that they were almost best boats, and the objects' aimed at in the holding of maiden races had bw?n defeated. It was a serious matter that olubs should be put to the expense of altering boats at the whim of different sections of the association. In regard to the selection of a colonial four to compete in Australian waters, it would he a very difficult matter to get any combination in such a crew. They would require to be acquainted with each other for some time beforehand, and the exnense would, of course, bp very heavy and tho result doubtful. The committee had therefore decided to opi>ose the idea of sending a colonial four to Australia whon it was proposed by the New Zealand Association. One other matter he desired io touch on was in r<>orard to the last reratta at Queenstown, when a number of the events ■ wore rowed off on the Sunday morning. The Recatta Committee rero-r"-msed that the only solution of the difficulty that presented it.«elf was to conclude the meeting on the Sunday morning. Tho executive of the Rowing Association had been blamed for permitting that, but there was nothing in thoir rub* to prevent its beinc? done, and they could not do move than express their individual sentiment. To refill to act at the last moment would have been unfair, and +beassociation was not deserving- of the criticism that had been levelled at it by one of the newspapers. The motion was seconded by Mr J E ' Galbraith and the report and balance sheet were adopted unanimously. Mr M. Priest ask*>d if any feprrs^nfations had be^n made to thp Governmpni wrth regard to the duty on boat, coining to Aew Zealand from Australia The Chairman said he had been atlvis&d , ' that there was not the slightest chance cf I the tariff being altered in any way The election of office-bearers ro^uli-d as follows : —President, Mr J. E. f-Jalbraith ; secretary ar.-! treasurer, Mr E. S. Wilson ; Moasrs James Brow n and H 4 J LeCien. J An application was read from the South- ' larxl Rowing Association asking that the ' J next championship meeting b© held in ' southern waters I Mr W. J. Wikon sai<l sorno considera- * tion should be given to tlija application. ' Mar Priest said "it was only a matter of « time when the championship regatta wouUI

7 J>e fixed at Picton, It was the best course lin New Zealand and the most central. If it was known some time beforehand where the championship meeting was to be held, rowing men could make their holiday , arrangements accordingly It would be a ■ good thing 1 to refer this matter to delegates in order to obtain the opinion of the different clubs. He would move — " That the question of where t«he championship meeting should take place be held over for consideration at a later meeting." This was agreed to unanimously Mr F. W. Mitchell presented the various cups and trophies won by clubs during the 1 year. Mr Brewer raised the point as to whether the out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the ircterprovinoiad crew while training at Waihola on certain days prior to the last regatta should be met by the association. Mr Mitchell ©aid the crew had gone out to Wai'hola on its own aociount, and however worthy its object might have been, he 1 considered it would be establishing a had { precedent to meet these expenses. It would had been a different matter if the crew J had been authorised by the association to ' go out. Mr W. J. Wilson said he was of the ' same opinion. He intended to vote against meeting any expenses in view of the conditions under which the crew went out to ' Waifcola. Mr Brewer said he had been approached! oh the matter by one of the crew, and he would move, to test the_ feeling of the meeting — " Tha-t the association pays the expenses incurred by the interprovincial orew in training." The amount was about £2 15s. The motion lapsed for want of a seconder. I Mr GaJbraith considered that in future years the association should do something towards paying portion of the expenses of interprovincial crews going out train- i ing immediately prior to regatta day. I It was decided that opening day be held . on Saturday, October 2. A very hearty vote of thanks . was accorded Mr F. W. Mitchell, the retiring , president, an>d carried by acclamation, for ' his past services to the association. | , Messrs M. Priest. Brewer, and the president (Mr GaJbraith) were appointed an ' emergency committee. Notifications were received of the followin.? appointnfents of vice-presidents and dub delegates : — D.A.8.C. : Vice-president, Mr J. W. Shankland; delegates — Messrs L. Forretser and J Rapson. Queen's Drive: Dele~at€B, Messrs W. J. Wikon and W. B. Morgan. Ote<jo Rowing CBub: Delegates, Messrs M. Priest and H. Dodpshun. North End Rowing Club: Vice-president, Mr S. S. Mvers : delegates, Messrs S. Foster and W. R«naick. The Seerttary of the New Zealand: Rowin.? Association wrote intimating that new color.rs had been fixed for the various affiliated clubs throughout the Dominion, but it would probably be next season before they were worn. The colours assigned to the clubs affiliated to the Of-asro Association are as follow: — Oamaru: White, with 2in scarlet bands, each shoulder to each hip. North End : Royal blue, • gold ouarters. Port Chalmers: White, witth two 2in perpendicular light blue bs-nd«, full length. Dunedin Amateur: Emerald green. Otafto: Light blue, with two 2in perpendicular white stripes full length. Queen's Drive : Red-white-and-blue. I ■ ■■