FORGING AHEAD

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 52, 30 August 1932, Page 3

FORGING AHEAD

EVANS BAY YACHT CLUB

SUCCESSFUL SEASON

An interesting account of the past season's activities is given in the annual report of the Evans Bay Yacht and Motorboat Club, to be presented at the annual meeting on 7th September. In a personal message the commodore (Mr. L. Ibbotson) says that the club has just entered upon its' fourteenth year; hi 191S the bay was comparatively a deserted spot, and the meetings of the club took place in a small shed. To-day the club owns a commodious clubhouse, costing about £900, a slipway -which ran into close on £400, a shed for use with the slipway, and effects valued at £150. It owes nothing save a vast, unpayable debt of gratitude to those stalwart old members through whose untiring zeal the club has reached its present position. The secretary (Mr. E. H. Rolle) reports that the season was a most successful one. The multi-class programme, which was adopted as the best means of defence against' depression, if anything, proved a trifle too ambitious for Wellington and might require slight readjustment next season, but it was a success. The club was the strongest, yacht club in the province and one of the foremost in the Dominion. A Maori motto meaning, "Moving forward always," had been adopted. The club was • honoured by being granted the privilege of running the Cornwell Cup contest. Among the other activities engaged in were the salvage of the' yacht Maputu, which was wrecked in Palliser Bay, the replacement of the old piles under the clubhouse, and the building of an officers' room. The hospitality of the ladies of the Social Committee in providing refreshment on race days was much appreciated. The club's thanks are due to Mr. P. Scott Ramsay, now of Auckland, for the donation of a large cup for the 12ft 6in find under class, and to Sir. TV Lamberg for the presentation of a silver miniature of the Lamberg Cup.

The report of the racing secretary (Mr. G. Parkin) states that the entries for keel and centre-board yacht races were good, but the launch entries were disappointing. The Tauranga class started the season ■with four boats, but doubled its number before the season closed. Nine new boats were entered on the club's register. The treasurer (Mr. G. Anstice) reports that there is a satisfactory credit balance, although it must be remembered that there were no heavy repayments of mortgage, as in previous years. Subscriptions Viave increased from £53 to £71, proving that, despite the economic conditions, the club is forging ahead. It is suggested that a reserve fund be built up, to be controlled by the decisions of special general meetings; also that expenditure be reduced by at least 10 per cent.