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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Nelson, Marlborough & Westland Provincial Districts]

Sports

Sports.

The Blenheim Rowing Club was founded in the year 1885 by Messrs H. Dodson, A. Green, and others, and has always been a strong and popular club. The boating sheds are situated at the junction of the Omaka and Opawa rivers, and the club possesses seven racing skiffs, and five pleasure boats. The Opawa has some excellent stretches for boating purposes, and the weekly practices on the river from September to April are well attended. The Blenheim Club always takes a good position in local and interprovincial regattas. In the year 1900, it was selected by the New Zealand Rowing Association to represent New Zealand against the Australian States at Sydney, and succeeded in gaining second place. The club has a membership of about 120. Officers for 1905: President, Dr. Anderson; Vice-President, Mr. James McKinley; Captain, Mr. J. W. Girling; Secretary, Mr. E. Griffiths.

Mr. James McKinley , Vice-President of the Blenheim Rowing Club, has represented the club at many regattas. He became a member at its foundation, and has occupied almost every office in connection with it, including that of captain, which he successfully filled lor many years. Mr. McKinley was born in Pieton, and is a son of the late Mr. James McKinley. He was educated at the Blenheim Borough School, and for several years was variously employed at general work. At eighteen years of age, he learned carpentry under Mr. David Wemyss, of Grove Road; subsequently, he spent some years as a page 334 journeyman, and in 1898 started in business on his own account as a builder and contractor. Mr. McKinley
Maeey, photo.Mr. J. McKinley.

Maeey, photo.
Mr. J. McKinley.

has been very successful. He has built several of the prominent buildings in the town, as well as many smaller ones, and keeps five journeymen constantly employed. Mr. McKinley is a member of the Marlborough Agricultural and Pastoral Association, the Blenheim Defence Rifle Club, and of several minor bodies. He married Miss Mills, of Nelson, in the year 1891, and has two sons and two daughters.