“OVER THE ODDS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 196, 8 November 1927, Page 12

“OVER THE ODDS”

HAMILTON REGATTA

CONTROL SEVERELY CRITICISED •AVER the odds,” was the term applied by Mr. T. Marshall, at last evening’s annual meeting of the Auckland Rowing Association, toward the control of last season’s Hamilton regatta. He criticised, particularly, the protest committee’s work. 'f'lie burden of Mr. Marshall’s principal complaint was that the protest committee had disqualified a crew before that crew was aware that a protest had been lodged. Mr. A. M. Wilson considered M*r. Marshall’s suggestion that each club be represented on the protest committee was impracticable. YVith opportunity to protest first to the Auckland Rowing Association, and next to the New Zealand Rowing Association, the competing clubs had ample protection. "Hamilton is simply killing its regatta.” said the chairman, Mr. G. H. Reston. "It will be pretty nearly the end of Hamilton if that sort of thing goes on.” They would, he added, simply have to refuse them a permit. HAVING A “POP” When questioned. Mr. Marshall said he would not care to move a motion. "Ret some of the clubs have a pop.” he said. Mr. C. H. Hunt, Waitemata, said his club had been short-paid in donations from Hamilton, and was dissatisfied vith the way in which the regatta lad been run. Later, when the Hamilton delegates tad arrived, Mr. Hunt re-introduced he question, and noved that the association go very ?arefylly into Ham* lton’s position be!ore granting a permit this season. Mr. W. Bryden, Hamilton: Can the mover give ms reasons for such a drastic motion? It is a grave charge to make against a regatta committee. Mr. A. M. Wilson: I think it is a very good motion —a good motion to be turned down. We have no right to make vague, insinuating charges. Mr. Hunt: It is not necessary for me to give chapter and verse of everything that happened at Hamilton regatta last season. Mr. Bryden: If there are grievances, let them be ventilated. Mr. K. D. Page: Why did the regatta committee send its correspondence on the Hamilton Rowing Club’s notepaper, and signed by the rowing club’s secretary? The Chairman: The whole thing was so confused that we did not know whom we were dealing with. Mr. Bryden stated that the regatta committee had endeavoured to comply with all suggestions for the improvement of the regatta. The Press had said the regatta was a success. Mr. Page said one grievance was that payment of prize money was delayed. Mr. Bryden: Why single out the Hamilton regatta? Mr. Wilson reiterated the complaint about the protest committee. JUNIOR FOURS Mr. Hunt said the junior fours’ race was the principal cause of dissatisfaction among the city clubs. Mr. Bryden said it was clear that some of the members were not familiar with the case. He stoutly defended the regatta committee. The Chairman: The whole trouble with Hamilton is that we receive one letter from one person and another from someone else. Mr. Bryden: There are two separate committees. A fusillade of questions and inter- i jections followed. The secretary, Mr. E. H. Buckler, said a vital point was that Waitemata had not been fully paid. Until that liability was met the committee was unfinanoial and could not be granted a permit. The chairman urged the Hamilton representatives to let their fellowmembers know that dissatisfaction existed. Mr. Bryden: This body of delegates 1 has not got the right view of things. I Mr. Hunt’s motion was carried, the ! Hamilton delegates, plus Messrs. Mar- i shall, Waitemata, and Ross, Auckland, j emphatically dissenting. __ j