YACHTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 228, 25 September 1926, Page 13

YACHTING.

ROYAL N.Z. YACHT SQUADRON. FIFTT-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. The fifty-fifth annual meeting of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron was held in the squadron rooms, Endean's building, last evening, Mr. A. E. Gifford, commodore, presiding over an attendance of 200 members. More than usual interest was taken in the election of officers and committee, many of the former officers and old members attending. The annual report showed that the past season has been one of the best from a racing point of view in the history of the club. Competition in the squadron's SI class had been particularly keen. During the year. Mr. A. H. Court's Ruamano had carried the squadron's flag right round New Zealand. The Mark Foy system of starting races had been tried, and proved to be successful. The squadron was well represented at the Tauranga and Russell regattas, and had assisted in the matter of accepting entries, handicapping, and starting both ocean races. It was hoped this year to hold a race for the Tasman Cup for the G metre class. Membership had increased during the year, and now totalled 497. The slipway was fully occupied, and had proved a great convenience to members. The balance-sheet also showed the squadron to be in a flourishing condition. Members' subscriptions totalled £1013, and, after transferring £50 to the reserve fund, £100 to the building fund, and £200 to the capital account, there was a credit balance of £428.

Mr. J. W. Frater, Commodore.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, Mr. Gifford congratulated the members on the success of the past season. He was pleased to say that a race would be held this season for the Tasman Cup, presented by Sir Joseph Ward. A Wellington boat would sail to Auckland and race against our representative, and he hoped this would start the class going. A new first class yacht was being built, and prospects for the coming season were very good. Mr. Gifford made feeling reference ' to the death of Messrs. C. P. Murdoch and T. M. Alexander, former flag officers, and other members who had " gone west " during the year. Their finances were in a very healthy condition, and before retiring he wished to heartily thank his brother officers and committee for their hearty I support during his term of office. Tne election of officers resulted as follows: Commodore, Mr. J. W. Frater; viceeommodt>re. Mr. W. P. Endean; rear-com-modore. Mr. N. L. Macky; secretary, Mr. J. C. Hewson; treasurer, Mr. A. M. Gilmour: hon. measurers, Messrs. C T. TrevitUick and M. K. Dratfin: auditors. Messrs. S. Heigh way and J. F. Hollinrake; hon. solicitor, Mr. John Alexander; general committee, Messrs. C. V. Connollv, M. K. Draffin, F. Fotheringhani, J. H. Frater, H. J. C. George .7. B. Johnston, K. Johnson, G. McKenzie, N. McLean and G. J. D. Stitt. Mr. Frater, on rising to thank members for his election as commodore received a great ovation, and said he would try to prove worthy of the honour, and Messrs. W. P. Endean and N. L. Macky also thanked members for their election. . A notice of motion providing that prior to annual meetings, ballot papers containing names of candidates should be posted to all members caused considerable discussion, the suggestion being that elections did not always represent the feeling of all members. Mr. W. Cecil Leys said if the proposed rule was adopted it would take from the interest in annual meetings. He thought it advisable for a club to have a lug gathering of members at least once a year. A little competition for office was sure to attract members. Mr. J. B. Johnson said, he thought members would lose the human interest by adopting such :i method. Provision was already made for members residing 10 miles fmia Auckland to vote by proxy. The motion was negatived by a lar?e majority. The retiring commodore. Mr. A. T.. Gifford. woe presented with n handsome silver cigarette case engraved with the squadron's badge. Mr. Frater. in proposing a vote of thanks to the outgoing officers and committee, referred to the good work of Mr. Giffonl who had been an ar-tive officer of the elnli for the past 21 years. Mr. Frater also referred to Mr. G. Deexy. the retiring lion, treasurer, to whose efforts their good financial position was larcely due. Reference was also made to the assistance given to tlie club li.r the Auckland Harbour Board by the chairman. Mr. H. R. Mackenzie. Contain Sergeant and his officers, and the Press. Tlip sum of £400 was voted to the foullding fund. i Conffratnlations to Mr. Frater were J received from ITanna. cbairmjiTi of the Tnurauea Resatta Committee. I The good work .accomplished by tlie local branch of the Royal Xnvnl Reserve was also 1 mentioned. A vote of thanks to the chairman concluded the business. A large octopus, or devil fish, was displayed in one of the city fish shops today, and was the subject of no little comment. The fish was an unusually large specimen, each tentacle measuring fois feel. " •' ■ l^.ji^aaSgSSs*