STAR BOATING CLUB

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 286, 30 August 1935, Page 23

STAR BOATING CLUB

Hampered by Restricted Finance PAST SEASON REVIEWED "While all phases of club activities record improvement, it is regrettable that the work of the committee should be hampered by restricted finance due to the large balance of subscriptions outstanding,” states the annual report of the Star Boating Club. “Although the most careful budgeting has been carried out, the financial position of the club emphasises the need for more drastic measures in order to stop this huge, leak in income. Action taken last year and followed out recently has had the effect of moderating the position, but if this course is to be fully effective it must be commenced much earlier in the financial year. It is, therefore, recommended that the incoming committee take steps to suspend all members in arrears not later than December 31.” As compared with last year, a small falling-off In membership is disclosed. This position was due principally to the striking off of uniinancial members, and could be easily remedied if members w’ould make the matter a personal one by interesting their friends in the sport. The club possessed ample facilities, for coping with a considerable Increase in active membership. Some disappointment was expressed at the whaleboat competition not being held Under the competition rules heats in this event were restricted to those Saturdays on- which water conditions did not permit the use of outrigged craft; but the season proved so exceptionally favourable to rowing that, apart from days when the club was engaged elsewhere, no opportunities arose for getting off this event. The annual memorial whaleboat race took place on March 2, and was noteworthy for the largest gathering of old members for some years. Handled expertly by ex-servicemen at the steeroars', a series of keenly-contested races took place. Lieut. C. G. Robinson’s crew eventually proving superior. Taking advantage of the captain's invitation, many of the older members enjoyed their first spin on the harbour for many years. Somewhat of a novelty of recent years was tho presence of lady friends on the afternoon of the ladies' fours competition, and although the number was not as large as anticipated, the experiment was worthy of repetition.

An energetic sub-committee did excellent work in the maintenance of die club's plant, keeping costs down to a minimum, tiie report continues A quantity of oars, botli racing and practice, was purchased at the beginning of the year. This served to tide the club over the season, but the stock of sculls was very low. and required replenishing at an early date.

The long-suffering pleasure plant of the club had reached the stage when a complete overhaul could no longer be put off. Arrangements had been made to have this work carried out,in time for the commencement of the new season’s activities. The increasing cost of upkeep of the practice plant drew attention to the fact that, considerable replacements in this department would have to be considered as soon as finances permitted.

Shortly after the commencement of the season’s activities, the second skidway collapsed through the ravages <>f teredo. Unfortunate though the incident was financially, the work was promptly attended to by fhe Wellington Harbour Board, the wooden piles being replaced by concrete, 'so the club should be free from trouble of this nature for many years A belated, though welcome, improvement to the social side of the club, that of lining the supper room, was put in hand and completed' in time for opening day. Members' had every reason to be proud of the latest addition to tbeir comfort, the work -m which was carried out by an augmented plant committee, aud reflected great credit 011 those in charge. Tiie time had now arrived for the roof of the clubhouse to be recoated with bitumen, if it was to ibe kept in first-class condition.