AQUATICS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 222, 16 September 1905, Page 12

AQUATICS.

The fifth annual report of the Ponsonby Cruising Club, which was read at the annual meeting last week, stated that the membership of the club had increased from 47 to 72., besides which there wert sixty-two hon. members and officers and three life members, making a total of 137. The report strongly urg-. Ed the incoming committee to use all its efforts to take up remainder of the ground allotted by the Harbour Board for enlarging the clubhouse. This, it was considered, was the most urgent work before the club in the new season, as even with the present membership the building was far too small for requirements. Geo. Towns, who was defeated by James . Stanbury recently for the sculling championship of the world, is endeavouring to get another match arranged. Towns has deposited £2.5 with a stake-holder, and has communicated with Stanbury, but the latter states that about three weeks ago lip wrote to Durnan. the Canadian sculler, in regard to a race, and until he receives a reply, which he expects in the course of two or three weeks, he cannot give Towns an answer. If he did not receive word from Durnan in a reasonable time he would inform the ex-champion upon what terms he would row him. The "Referee"' remarks that the notification that Towns had challenged him and put up a deposit was evidently a bit of a surprise. The local yachtsmen are busy on the various beaehea overhauling the boats in preparation for the coming season. On the West End slip Messrs Clare i and ColliDgs are building three new i boats —a 26ft tuck stern centre-board yacht for Mr A. Wilson, anri two 24ft I boats of the same type, one for Mr Kers, of Northcote, and one for Mr W. Tupp, lat? owner of the Maritana. One of these boats will be on the same de- | sign as the Gladys. : The crack 26ft linear rater Speedwell j has been purchased by Mr W. A. Wilkin- ' son, of the Xorth Shore Yacht Club, her , original owner. Mr Wilkinson and his , partner (Mr W. Mackeuzie. of Birkenhead) intend to race their boat in all J events this season. She will carry the green and gold flag again, and should 1 figure prominently in club racing. 1 Mr E. Felthara, owner of the Rewi. 1 has had a lead keel put on his boat in ; p'aee of the centre-board. ! Sixteen new members were nominated ' at the last committee meeting 'of the I Auckland Bowing Club, Thii brings the active membership of the dub up to

The annual meeting of the North Shore Yacht Club will be held in the Devonport Council Chambers next Wednesday evening.

ROYAL NEW ZEALAND YACHT SQUADRON. The thirti'-founii annual meeting of I the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squad- j ron will be held in the squadron rooms next Thursday evening. The committee's report states that "the racing during the season was chiefly cruising handicaps, and some very close finishes were recorded. That such » class of racing is most popular is proved by the variety of entrants, both large and small bouts taking part in the races. TTjc motor launch handicap was a triumph to the handicappers. Over a. cour3e of nearly j eight miles, seconds only separated the i firs c t three launches. As this style of boat is becoming more and more popular, it behoves the Squadron to cater more for them. A trophy was offered to the Nelson members to be sailed Tor at Nelson, under the control of the port captain, Mr. C. Y. FelL The members there showed their keenness and appreciation by sailing a series of three races, j The trophy was eventually won by the j Maritana, belonging to Mr. C. Y. FelL That the policy of the Squadron was appreciated is shown by the fact that the Messrs. Bros., of Nelson. have ordered a new yacht to be built for them in Auckland. The Squadron is proud of the "Nelson contingent. The number of members on the Squadron roll is now 258, which, it will be noticed, is a slight decrease on last year's number; but members will note that the average is well maintained, and that the number of yachts and launches on the register has increased since last year, there being now 41 yachts and 17 power launches. There have been 20 meetings of the general committee during the past season, and the attendance has been very satisfactory. The committee once again draw the attention of members to the matter of wearing the Squadron colours and uniform, and request that more attention be paid to this detail, more especially when afloat. On their retirement from office the committee desire to thank the members for their loyal support and co-operation, and trust that the same support will be accorded to the new officers and committee so that the coming season may be even more Successful than the past." The | balance-sheet shows that the receipts amount to £340 11/3, and the expenditure £309 18/8. leaving a credit balance of £30 12/7. The principal item in the receipts was £225 14/6, which was re- j eeived in subscriptions. The statement of assets and liabilities shows that rhe assets amount to £506 2/7, of which amount £451 19/ is represented by club property. The liabilities amount to only £15 10/4. being rent due and prizemoney held in suspense. There is a balance of assets over liabilities of £400 6/3. Nomination? for the various offices and the committee closed during the week as follows: Commodore.. Mr. C. P. Murdoch; vice-commodore, Mr. Alex. Alison: rear-commodore, Mr. J. Alexander: hon. secretary, Mr. P. H. Cole; hon. treasurer, Mr. R. S. Reynolds; hon. auditors. Messrs. T. F. Wallace and M. Wiseman; hon. measurers, Messrs. G. V. Edgeumbe and W. E. Alexander; hon. handieapper: Mr. C. Kilfoyle; general committee, Messrs. T. M. Alexander, A. W. Cbatfield. F. M. Jervis, R. R. Masefield, A. Seccombe, F. W. Wilson (present members), and Messrs. W. S. J. Clarke. C. Seagar, C. H. Smith, H. C. Wf iffht. and Ca.pt*; R. Mqnarekouse-i-fnew candidates) As none of the officers are opposed, they will be duty elected. More than the necessary number have been nominated for the committee, and an election will be necessary.