WELLINGTON ROWING CLUB

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 260, 1 August 1939, Page 3

WELLINGTON ROWING CLUB

Plans For New Season EARLY START TO BE MADE WITH RACES Plans for the coming season were discussed at the fifty-fourth annual meeting of the Wellington Rowing Club, held in the clubhouse, Jervois Quay, Wellington, last night. In the unavoidable absence of the president, Mr. W. J. Gaudin, the club captain, Mr. W. T. Jury, presided. The necessity for a special effort because of the approach of the centennial was stressed by members, and it was suggested, in order that an early concentration could be made on regatta crews, that club races be held during the weekends a month before the official opening of the season. An appeal was made by the committee for more attention by club members to physical fitness and boatwork. It was agreed that the club-race programme start ou September 1. At the close of the previous season, the number of members on the active list was 115, and this year was 101, which, with 11 honorary and two associate members, brought the total to 114, the annual report stated. Representative crews from the club attended all regattas within reach of Wellington, but did not perform up to expectations and, while some efforts were excellent, on the whole the performances were below the usual standard. Consequently, the prize-money won, £l7, was a long way short of meeting the expenses for entry fees. Undoubtedly lack of coaches had a detrimental effect on th The re yenr had been unfortunate in that a practice four, a senior practice singles and the best and best four were damaged and it was found necessary to send the first two to Wanganui to be repaired. Opportunity was also taken to send two practice fours and the racing clinker pair for a thorough overhaul. Ihe clubhouse had been painted by members and the spouting renewed where necessary. Ihe timber for the honours board had been purchased and the board would be erecte immediately. The 11 dances held during the year had shown a profit of ±bi/lb/9. The finances of the club were in a sounder position than for many years, the overdraft of £73 having been wiped out and the year ending with a small credit balance. „ . , Officers Elected.

The election of office-bearers for the ensuing season resulted: President, Mr. W. J. Gaudin; vice-presidents, Messrs. D. Duff, A. Dunean. F. Bacon, 1. W. Leslie C. C. Odlin, ID Redding, S. Simms, R. 1. Stewart and I. McGrath; club captain, Mr. W. T. Jury ; deputy club captain Mr. H. J. Duke; hon. secretary, Mr. I. lt>. Newson; hon. treasurer, Mr. A. Clouston; general committee, Messrs. 1. M illiamson, K. F. Fish, N. E. D. Mathewson, R. Nicholson, E. Hollander, A. Manning and S. Scott; billiards committee, Messrs. 1. Williamson, N. Johnson. S. S. Watson and E. Hollander; social committee, Messrs. E. McSherry, E. Marchant. P. Porter, J. De Rouffignac, D. Payne and N. R. Johnson; race selection committee, Messrs. A. Anderson, 11. J. Duke and S. Scott; trustees, Messrs. W. J. Gaudin and A. Duncan; auditors, Messrs. C. C. Middlebrook and A. Anderson. After a discussion on club uniform, it was agreed that new members be instructed to buy white and not black shorts and the incoming -committee was instructed strictly to enforce the rule about the wearing of football jerseys and gaily-coloured pullovers by members during training rows.

Members referred to the necessity ot coaching for new members from the start of the season. This lead to a general discussion on coaching, and it was agreed that, every effort would be made to get novices on the water in the coming sea-