WITH the OARSMEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 528, 4 December 1928, Page 14

WITH the OARSMEN

BY

“RIGGER”

R. Stacey, captain of the Auckland Club, has called a meeting of members for 11 a.m. next Sunday, when a full account of the executive’s actions in regard to securing the new site at Purewa will be given. Fixtures for next Saturday are as follow:—St. George’s, Bankart Trial Fours; Auckland, Trial Fours for Mr. H. Schmidt’s trophies; West End, at home and patrons’ day; Waitemata, trials for Mr. Schmidt’s trophies. The secretary advises that entries for trials at Waitemata will close at 2 o’clock in future and not 2.30, as members were previously notified. Auckland will row trials for the Kohn Challenge Cup on December 15. Regatta men are not eligible for this race, and the intention is that each crew will consist of two experienced oarsmen and two new members. The old members are expected to select their crews and hand them in as soon as possible. St. George’s had a quiet week-end. there being no club trials. Some of the regatta men did their best to keep fit by playing cricket on the hard mud outside the clubhouse. WAITEMATA SENIORS Waitemata has been unfortunate in selecting a senior crew for Tauranga as Webber, of whom great things were expected, has to stay in town and sit for examinations. His place will be taken by either Mackay, the club captain, or W. A. Stevenson. Stevenson may visit the Bay regatta for the single sculls, but should he not do so, Mackay will occupy two seat. The other members of the crew are Kruse (stroke), Brooker (3), and Cruiekshank (bow). Maiden scullers for Tauranga are E. Hope Bishop and G. Barker. VARSITY ROWING “Rigger” is informed that the prospects for this season’s inter-varsity race at Christchurch are not bright. It had been intended to hold the race in conjunction with the Varsity tournament at Easter, but the New Zealand Rowing Association’s programme may make that impossible, as it is intended.' to hold the interprovincial eights about that date. This will mean that many of the oarsmen who would be in the Varsity crews might be required to train for the eights, and, being the strongest men in the universities, their places could not be satisfactorily filled. The executive of the Christchurch University Students’ Association has decided not to countenance any event outside the usual programme, so the rowing enthusiasts can look for no help in that direction. Christchurch varsity men, who are also oarsmen, are determined that the race shall be held, but the obstacles are discouraging. WEST END CREWS West End crews for Tauranga Re- ’ gatta are as follow:—Open maidens: j J. Haylock (str), E. Such, L. Strange, I. Blomlield (bow). Open maiden '

pairs; E. Such (str), L. Strange (bow). Open maiden pairs, No. 2: J. Haylock (str), V. McFarlane (bow). Youths’ four: V. McFarlane (str), V. Hogan, W. Dalton, F. Baker (bow). Lightweight maidens: R. Woodside (str), A. Lawrence, N. Parsons, F. Johnston (bow). Coxswains: F. Orrell and R. Collins. The club will also be represented at Whangarei, but no definite plans have yet been made for the Northern fixture.

SPEEDING UP A determined effort is being made by at least two of the Harbour clubs to speed-up the rowing of Saturday trials and have the events put through in decent time. It is a well-known fact that in most of the club events rowed on Saturday afternoons the first heat starts some time after 3 o’clock, with the result that the final, if it is rowed at all on the same day, finishes about 6. At Waitemata on Saturday it was 3.45 before the crews went out for the first heat, though it was explained by the club captain that, owing to a misunderstanding, circulars to members had stated that entries would close at 2.30, it having originally been intended that they should close at 2. A notice posted up in the Auckland shed warns members that, in future, entries for all club trials will close at 2.15. The crews will be drawn by 2.30, and a start will be made immediately, as it is intended that some of the members row the first-heat boats round to the Akarana sheds while the crews are being drawn. Waitemata also intends to make an effort to start earlier. These, however, are merely proposals, though undoubtedly good ones, and the chance of being the first club on the harbour to go through a heavy programme smartly and up to time this season is given to West End. where an “at home” will be held next Saturday. May they take advantage of it. AT HOME ON ST. MARY’S BAY Next Saturday will be gala day on St. Mary’s Bay, the occasion being the

West End at home and patrons’ day. Six crews have been nominated to appear in trials for the Thomas Peacock Memorial Shield and trophies donated by Mr. J. A. Peacock. The short course from the timber mills to the boathouse will be used, and it is expected that the afternoon’s programme will be completed well up to time. A veterans’ race will be rowed if sufficient entrants can be found. Those not actively interestd In rowing will be catered for with dancing and afternoon tea, which will be provided by the Ladies’ Committee, with Mrs. Mortimer Fairs at the head. The crews for the trials are as follow:—F. Conway (str), R. Woodside, E. M. Taj4or, R. Collins (bow); G. Bloxharn (str), E. Such, M. Spencer, P. Soufflot (bow); O. Felton (str), W. Conway, I. BlomfieJd, N. Parsons (bow); J. Haylock (str), G. Conway, L. R. McDonald, F. Baker (bow); V. McFarlane (str), A. C. Norden, C. Parvin, F. Bryan (bow); L. Strang© (str), V. Hogan, R. Macey, A. Lawrence (bow).

HAMILTON OARSMEN

CLUB WITH A RECORD PROSPECTS FOR NEW SEASON (Special to THE S UN) HAMILTON, To-day. Hamilton has been the cradle of some of New Zealand’s finest rowers and since the season started there seems to be every indication that the present members are intent on upholding the high reputation of the club. The river has been perfect for the sport during the past few Saturdays and many new members have given evidence of shaping well. As in the past the favourite practice ground is between the two bridges—and the pull against the current from the railway bridge to the boathouse is one of the best tests possible. During the trial fours last Saturday there was still a tendency for crews to hug the shore instead of rowing in mid-stream, but watchful coaching will eliminate this A GREAT RECORD Mr. S. H. Buchanan is proving a very efficient club captain and his committee of assistants are a hard-working lot. At one time or other the Hamilton Club has held every Auckland provincial championship and at the present time is in possession of the Auckland Rowing Association’s heavy, maden, youths’ and single sculls, championships. Besides this the club has annexed the New Zealand champion double sculls for the past five years in succession and three of the local boys —G. St. Clair, B. Sandos and W. Bayly —are members of the New Zealand Eight. The material for the light-weight crew is promising, but needs plenty of tuition yet. The approach of the Tauranga regatta is stimulating members to greater endeavours and every night sees a training crew on the river. It is stated that it is quite likely the eight-oar boats will be seen on the Waikato River on Anniversary Day. It was most unfortunate that the best racing boat was accidentally rammed into the bank on the opening day. but repairs have been effected, although the expense could ill be afforded. An order for a new racing boat for the senior four has been accepted by an English firm. With many of the old members who have earned Dominion-wide distinction still about the shed the Hamilton Club can look forward to another record season.