THE STAR BOATING CLUB.

Evening Post, Volume X, Issue 203, 14 October 1874, Page 2

THE STAR BOATING CLUB.

The annual general meeting of this club took place at the Pier Hotel yesterday evening, and Messrs Bruce Wallace, George Hunter, jun, and Paul Hunter Were elected members. Arrangements were made for a more equal division of the entrance fees and subscriptions. The Hon Secretary and Treasurer (Mr O. Wakefield) then read his statement of accounts, and the following report, which were unanimously adopted :—: — REPORT: Mr Chairman and Gentlemen — It is once again my privilege and pleasure, in my dual capacity of secretary and treasurer, to come down with another annual report and statement of the affairs of this club, and although the balance sheet to the 30th September now presented, will not gladden your hearts by exhibiting a large credit in money, as at the date of my last report, it still remains for me to shew you that the operations of the club have been extended so as to improve its poaitibn in no small degree. You are aware that our career during the past year has not been one of uninterrupted prosperity, but that, on the contrary, we have had much to contend with, and to militate against our re-establishment upon a firm, basis, since it became necessary to remove from the old site of our sheds just after we had completed the building of a large additional wing. At that critical time there were Borne few members who regarded any attempt at future efforts as a probable failure, but as this was a word which should not appear in the vocabulary of boating men, I am glad to report that a large majority agreed to support the proposition to build new sheds at any cost, and that the result is the large and convenient shed now standing as a monument to the enterprise of the members of the club. But this monument was not erected without considerable cost. It was gilded, moreover, by the sympathetic liberality of our friends in the citizens of Wellington, and I think I shall not be out of place here in. referring to the cordial support of his Honor the Superintendent, our president, who took a personal interest in securing for us the present site, and whose, name appeared at the head of the subscription list with a donation worthy of his office. Notwithstanding these facts, the high price of labor and materials rendei ed the cost of building so great that, excluding the entrance fees and subscriptions now due, our accounts still ahow a debit balance of £100, but as our assets have been greatly increased by the acquisition of two new boats and the new shed, which is perhaps now the largest in the colony, we are, in point; of fact, in as sound a position aa formerly, while our importance as a club is much greater than it wos. Looking at these circumstances, I would, therefore, suggest that our indebtedness should not* be at once reduced by appro* priating for that purpose the entrance feeß and subscriptions of this season ; but that the fleet of boats should be first increased, in order to satisfy the requirements of the large number of members who now constitute the club, and that only the bills outside of the accommodation afforded by the Bank should be paid at present. There are now eighty members in the club, whose names will be found in the list attached. Of these, Bixty-five reside in Wellington, and their subscriptions "will be available for this season. In reporting our reverses at the Wanganui and Canterbury regattas, I can only point out that they should no| be looked upoa as any great misfortune ; but as an additional reason for greater care and greater efforts in the future to redeem any prestige lost upon those occasions. Our success at the Wellington regatta proved, however, that we possess substantial materials to place in opposition to strangers. I am very glad to observe that so many of the rising generation are joining our ranks, and I hope this year will bring forth crews of entirely new blood and muscle, youthful crews trained by thd lovers of rowing who have laid aside the oar for responsibilities better becoming their graver years, but who delight in Beeing others following in the wake of their honorable career upon the water. We can only view with pleasure the favorable report lately published of the affairs of the Wellington Club, and we must hope to see the Union Clib taking a more prominent position. • 1 will conclude by congratulating you upon the continued prosperity of this club, to which, both in its social and muacular aspects, I have always held it an honor to belong, and again urging you more than ever to maintain as a fact the motto which we have chosen for ourselves, "Semper refulgens." Oliver Wakefield, Hon Sec. and Treasurer. Mr Wakefield then announced that his official duties rendered it absolutely necessary that he should resign his office as Treasurer, and it was decided to separate the offices of Secretary and Treasurer, so that Mr Wakefield might continue to act as the former. It was unanimously resolved that his Honor Mr Fitssherbert be requested to continue in the office of President, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing season : — Captain —Mr H. F. Logan. Deputy-Captain — Mr C. H. Snow. Secretary—Mr O. Wakefield. Treasurer— Mr J. Gandy. Committee — Messrs S. S. Griffiths, James Ames, C. A. Cornish r N. W. Werry. A. T. Botbamlej, W. Gray, and FM. Ollivier. Auditors —Messrs F. Allen and H. Blundell. A vote of thanks was passed to the officers of the past season, and a special vote of thanks to Mr James Ames. It was resolved to order two new boats from Mel* bourne in time for the ensuing season, and to have the amended rules reprinted. Match Factories — The watering- \ place hotels.