THIRTY-ONE YEARS' HONORARY SERVICE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 145, 21 June 1941, Page 6 (Supplement)

THIRTY-ONE YEARS' HONORARY SERVICE

TO give honorary service for 31 years as secretary and treasurer is the record of Mr. S. Hamlin, of the Panmure Yacht and Boating Club. The club was formed at. a meeting called by a few enthusiasts in November, 1910. From a small beginning the club grew steadily, making good progress until the outbreak of the Great War, when its membership had increased from the original 25 to over 100. All of the eligible members then joined up, whole boats' crews signing on together. This left only a few of the older hands to carry on the club, and it was then that Mr. Hamlin started his good work. Not only did he act as honorary secretary and treasurer, but also handicapper, starter, judge and timekeeper for the war years and for some time afterwards. His work was duly appreciated, especially the unthankful .lob as handicapper. By the help of accurately kept records he was able to adjust handicaps to a matter of seconds in many cases. Although to-day he has assistants on race days, his secretarial and handicapping duties are still carried

out in the same thorough manner as they were when the club was younger.

Mr. Hamlin also helped the club to build a home of its own on the western bank of the Tamaki River. This was burned down about five years ago, but was rebuilt and has since been enlarged and a protective stone wall built by the Harbour Board on its seaward side. Ihe mooring area adjacent is also under the care of the club. Members acquitted themselves well in the 1914-18 war and received numerous honours. A peace-time honour to one of the members, Mr. A. Durbridge, was the presentation of the Royal Humane Sccietv's Medal for rescuing Mr. S. Shaw, skipper of a boat competing at one of the club's cruising races around Brown's Island. He was knocked overboard by the yacht's boom when making an awkward gybe in heavy Mr. Shaw was rendered unconscious by his smack on the head with the spar, but was safely got aboard by Mr. Durbridge in spite of the rough water. Mr. Hamlin laid the facts of the rescue before the proper authorities and they promptly awarded the medal and certificate. Mr. Hamlin in private life is a dairy farmer, but always finds time for his honorary work for the Panmure Club, whose members are fully appreciative of his 31 years' continuous service.