WITH the OARSMEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 76, 21 June 1927, Page 12

WITH the OARSMEN

BY

“RIGGER”

NOTES FROM ST. GEORGE’S Mid-winter means nothing to the Auckland oarsmen, and even on bleak, raw' Sundays blades may stilx be seen flashing on the grey waters cf the Waitemata. The palm for keenness must be awarded to the Waitemata Club, which secures a b ; g turnout every week-end. Some promising novices and newcomers are now' showing what they can do. • * * AT ST. GEORGES St. George crews have not been seen much on the water lately, principally because the plant is undergoing a thorough overhaul, so that few ships are available. With three new practice fours, two pair-oars, and two single-scullers, St. George’s has greatly improved its plant in recent years, and the efforts that made the improvements financially possible will always stand to the credit of the members. At present the greatest need is a new shed, but that cannot come until the clubs knows how it will be placed by the completion of the railway deviation. • * * THROUGH THE WALL Recently St George’s received the satisfying assurance that the railway engineers are meeting the requirements of oarsmen by leaving two 30foot openings under the embankment across Hobson Bay Originally only 8-feet openings were planned. but when the plight of rowing men became apparent, and it was realised that an extensive sheet of water would lose much of its value as a community asset, the engineers thoughtfully provided for spans, which will permit boats to go in and out without the irksome need of shipping oars inboard * * * CLUBHOUSE SITE The site of its future clubhouse—another one is now quite badly needed —is another problem for St George’s. A site on the shore of Hobson Bay will probably be chosen, as Judge’s Bay—formerly a delightful haven enclosed by towering promonotories—is now very restricted as a result of waterfront changes. Waitemata and Auckland will also have to make a move, and therefore cannot improve their sheds. Probably the sites the Harbour Board will grant them will be near the root of the tide deflector, almost opposite the positions they now occupy. FIRST SIMS RACER On order from Sims, of Putney, traditional builder of fleet racing shells, is a best and best four, to be

used by St. George’s, and exr»,„ . New Zealand about Novem2£°*!S 10 it will be tbe first Sim s “*^-* h r «J raeerirnported into the Domtata"* In fittings and construction theL will correspond with the ric. , 1 imported racing eights. The and other fittings of the eights h"" ever, have not withstood the 'vT?*' oxidisation always occurring in * ' l7 land (apparently the builders them to be fresh-water craft! & St. George officials have profited their observations, and the boiu , . fittings of their new ship will L, gunmetal throughout. w * * m THOSE EIGHTS And those eights! They are on the water about once in a hi moon, for the reason that they J. 9 not be taken for a spin without th formal sanction of the Auckland Mo* ing Association. Oarsmen are aware, on Saturday, if conditions V* the Sunday will bo suitable, 50 -C association is rarely worried." Recently the Waitemata eight taken off the racks, and two or boatloads enjoyed the delightful awir - which only' an eight-oar can More ornamental than useful, horev have the eights been to date. r * AUCKLANDERS OUT On Sunday the Auckland Row; n . Club’s eight (one of their own) taken out, and a crew stroked br Stacey went well out into mid-harbour In choppy water a poppet carried away, and the boat returned with NV 5 (K. Ross) idle, and his sweep to, shipped across the boat. Ross, an ex-Hamilton man, is * newcomer, to the Auckland shed, and his red-and-white chequers weie verv conspicuous. A junior oarsmen, who left maiden status behind las-; yea* he pulls an attractive blade, and should be an acquisition to Staceys troupe. * * * YALE NOSED OUT Unbeaten for five years, the Ytk University* crew, one of Americas most famous aquatic combinations, was beaten by Princeton University on Lake Carnegie, New Jersey, cn 21. The victory of Princeton was a complete reversal of pre-race tions. In the last furlongs of a. grudling race, out came the famous red flag of Yale, Stewart, the coxswain, waving it high over his head. In answer, the stroke qhickened his beat, but the bid was too late, for Princes ton whose coxswain blew a policeman’! whistle to call upon his men. held their advantage and won by a canva*.