ST. MARY'S BAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 189, 12 August 1939, Page 17

ST. MARY'S BAY.

PLANS FOR CLUBHOUSES.

HARBOUR BOARD'S OFFER TO BUILD. To make tlio St. Mary's H.iy lxiat lmrliour scheme complete, the AucliliinU Harbour Hoanl lias ottered to build a large central 11n 11, common to all clubs in the district, anil to erect modern clubhouses for live separate clubs. The officials o£ the western clubs have been in consultation with the officers of the board as to tln* extent of their requirements and the plans published this week evidently are the oueonie of these discussions. subject, no doubt, to linal revision or amendment.

Tho club lias offered to do the work of building without asking the clubs concerned for any capital outlay, the rental being assessed on a live per cent basis of the cost of each clubhouse. It is proposed, as part of the plan, lu provide the clubs with separate jetties on the outer wall and liauling out. areas on tlie inside. Each club will have dinghy accommodation according to its requirements, under its own roof, ilius ensuring uniformity of building, and added convenience for members.

While the rents proposed may at lirst glance appear high, it should lie noted that an annual rental is easier to meet, than a largo outlay lor building a clubhouse, slipways, lockers and the oilier essentials, as several clubs know to their cost.

This brings up a matter which has been discussed almost, annually by committees of the various clubs. it is the necessity of raising the annual subscription. Several clubs have done this, but not all. It mu<t be admitted that a subscription of three shillings per annum does not cover the cost of running a club, no matter how economically it is conducted, and a uniform subscription of live shillings would be fairer. Certainly boat. owners are called on to pay entry fees, usually tiiree shillings per race, with one club at lialf-a-crown, which latter fee might be made the uniform one, thus easing the cost to those who should count most, tlie owners of boats.

With this small Increase In members' subscriptions, the executives of the various yacht and cruising clubs would lie much relieved and able to give owners better value in clubhouse accommodation and possibly better prizes

Even with this additional cost, if must be admitted that the sport of yachting is still within the reach of those with modest incomes, depending, of course,, on the size of their craft. The advantages or the openair life on the water from a physical vfewpolnt cannot be estimated in money, while the sea training should be valuable in a time of national emergency.

The provision of clubhouses and other amenities for the sport are largely matters of finance, which eacli dub will have to settle for itself, but the fact that the Harbour Board is prepared to provide up-to-date accommodation is a signal step ahen<l and the board members and officers are to be congratulated on their efforts to make St. Mary's boat harbour second to none in the Dominion.

The proposed cost of each club's building and the rental for same are as follow: Main hall and caretaker's quarters (hall to be used by all clubs for swial gatherings, prize nights, etc.), cost £11/ x*>. rental £3.V>, equal to ill per week. Richmond Cruising Club, cost i'lltS, rental £U.Vi l(i/. equal to per week: New Zealand Power Boat Association, cost £4400, rental £_TJ( ', equal to £4 »>•' per week: West Knd Kowing Club, cost rental £l!ii equal to £li 17/6 per week; Secondary Schools' Rowing Association, cost £2*sfK>, rentnl £130, equal to £Z 10/ per week: Victoria Cruising Club, cost C2OO, rental £11", equal to £U 2/ii per week. The total cost of the board's proposals is £20,000.

ANNUAL MEETINGS.

Aug. 10—Ponsonby Cruising Club. Aug. 17—Takapuna Boating Club. Aug. 22—Manuk.ui Cruisinjr Club. Aug. 24—Point Chevalier Sailing Club. Aug. 26—Orakei Model Yacht Club. Aug. SO—Victoria Cruising Club. Sept. r>—Richmond Cruising Club. Sept. ti—Royal Akarana Yacht Club. Sept. 1 it—Pan inure Boating Club. Sept. 20—Yacht and Motor Boat Associa tion. Oct. s—Tamaki Yacht Club.

PRIZE NIGHTS

Sept. 14—Xew Zealand Tower Boat Ae-ocia-tion. •Sept. 21—Point Chevalier Model Yacht Club. Sept. 23—Tamaki .Yacht Club.