ROWING TROUBLES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 874, 18 January 1930, Page 11

ROWING TROUBLES

HAMILTON'S ATTEMPT TO MEET CITY CLUBS WAITEMATA WITHDRAWS Prompted by an article which appeared in The Sun yesterday commenting on the decision of the Waitemata and Auckland Rowing Clubs to send no crews to the Hamilton Regatta on Anniversary Day, Mr. A. C. Xor den,, representative of the Hamilton Club in Auckland, has sent correspondence for perusal, "which should prove that the rumouored complaints of many City oarsmen aro entirely without foundation. Unofficially, Mr. iNorden is only too well aware of the unpleasant suggestions that have been circulating among City oarsmen regarding the draw for positions at Hamilton. They hold that, only from the two inside positions, has a erevv any chance of winning a race, and they endeavour to account for Hamilton’s remarkable consistency by pointing out that the Waikato men have secured most of the favourable positions at their own regatta. Mr. Norden’s correspondence shows that he suggested to the Hamilton Club that the draw for the positions be conducted in Auckland this season to assure that all was in order. To this Hamilton replied it had been deemed inadvisable to transfer the draw for positions to the City, one particular reason being that the funds for the regatta were donated in Hamilton and givers of trophies and prize money should have the opportunity to witness the draw. Hamilton advised that all competing clubs and also the Auckland Rowing Association would be notified of the time and place of the draw and asked to send representatives. Mr. Norden said that there can be no doubt about the draw. Three years ago ho had drawn the positions himself and last season, being unable to attend, he had arranged with Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., to conduct the draw. Mr. Norden makes no comment on the action of the Waitemata Club, but points out that the Hamilton Club has done everything possible to meet the demands of oarsmen who, officially or unofficially, have expressed their dissatisfaction. According to Mr. XTorden, it was the intention of the Auckland Club to send one crew, the junior four, to Hamilton, but, owing to the inability of the stroke to attend, it had been decided to withdraw. A further outcome of Waitemata’s drastic action is that one of the club’s vice-presidents, All-. W. H. Reynolds, has announced that he is resigning his position and severing all connection with the club. He holds that its action is most unsportsmanlike and uncalled for. Air. Reynolds is the donor of valuable trophies to the Waitemata Club.