INVITATION ACCEPTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 136, 11 June 1934, Page 6

INVITATION ACCEPTED

CENTENARY REGATTA 4 EIGHT FROM NEW ZEALAND UNION BOAT CLUB CREW TO GO. Acceptance of the invitation issued by the Melbourne Bowing Association for a chib eight to compete in the Centenary Regatta, fixed for December 1, was announced by the Union Boat Club s committee during the week-end. The invitation was received by th® New Zealand Rowing Association recently, stipulation being made that u club crew only would be allowed to compete. Influenced by the fact that uo fewer than five members of the AVanganui representative crew to win the interprovincial race at AVellington at Easter time wore Union Club members, the New Zealand Council decided to ask the AVanganui Rowing Association to ascertain whether the Union Club would be able to send a crew to Alelbourne. When the invitation was considered by the committee during the week-end, it was unanimously agreed that the invitation be accepted, and that the club selectors approach those wearer? of the light blue singlets who woulo . be available to travel if selected. Un 1 til these enquiries have been made therefore, and the names submitted to the New Zealand Council for approval, no announcement of the crew’s complement will be available. The importance of the race was stressed by Air. A. D. Bayfeild, secretary of the New Zealand Association, when forwarding the Alelbourne Association’s invitation to AVanganui. “The opposition will be strong,” he said, “as in a letter I have received it if mentioned that three of the six Australian States were recently represented in tho King’s Cup Race by club crews who had won their own State championship, and these crews would, in all probability, be making the trip to Melbourne when the time comes.” Finance will be required to send the crew to Australia, and it is understood that £IUO may be granted the club by Alelbourne. Three or four times this sum will bo required, however, and when tho official approval of the Union Club's crew acceptance and its crew has been made by the New Zealand Council, prominent AVanganui citizens will probably be approached and asked to assist with the committee work. A signal honour has been conferred upon the Union Boat Club and Wanganui in having the invitation of the L Alelbourne Association referred to it. < As there is every reason to believe that the club can select from its own members a first-class combination, the chances of the crew performing well in Alelbourne may be regarded as being exceptionally favourable. The club is fortunate in that it has Mr. C. A. Healey, one of tho most notable figures in New Zealand rowing to-day, as its club captain, while Air. AV. Coombes, who acted as manager for the winning AVanganui representative eight, is a life member and was manager and selector for the famous Army crew. The fact that strong opposition will be met with in Alelbourne is not one that should cause the club or its supporters any apprehension. In the light blue shed there is a fine admixture of experience and youth, and there is every reason to believe that the crew to be selected will uphold the club’i reputation worthily together with that of the Dominion. It is a venture upon which the club can send its members with confidence and can also appeal to the public of AVanganui fpr the support that such, recognition calls for. It is not too much to hope that the support will be forthcoming at the time when it is most needed.