OTAGO ROWING CLUB.

Evening Star, Issue 11695, 29 September 1902, Page 3

OTAGO ROWING CLUB.

The animal general meeting of the Otago Rowing Chib was held at Wain’s Hotel cn Saturday. Mr John White was in , toe chaif, and there were numerous members present. The Chairman commented upon the Inge* ness of the attendance, which, be thought, must constitute a record. He first of all presented the prises won dnring - the year as follows:—Regatta Races—Champion Sculls, Wellington, J. F. M’Grath; Cham•pion Double Sculls, Wellington—J. F. iTGrath and M. H.. Priest; Maiden Fdurs, Port Chalmers—J. W. Matthewson (stroke), E. Thomson (3), W. Harvey (2), W. Armera (bow); Junior Doable Sculls, Port Chalnjeis—C. R. Gooch, (stroke), C. E. Statbam (bow); Senior Doable Sculls, Port Chalmers—J. F. M'Grath (stroke), M. H. Pnest (bow); Maiden Pairs, Waihola—M. H. Priest (stroke), H. Brasch (bow); Junior Double S calls, Waihola—G. R. Gooch (stroke), C. E. Statham (bow). Club Races ; Matheson Pours Cup (Novice Pours) —T. Simpson (stroke), D. Grant (5), J. W. Kempston (2), N. Falla (bow); Thomson Fours Cup—H. A. LeCren (stroke), W. Beswick (3), N. Falla (2), P. T. Jones (bow); Ravccsbourue Cup—L. L. Kirkcaldy (stroke), W. Harvey (3), B. Provo (2), W. W. Davidson (bow); Ladies’ Challenge Cup —H. Brasch (stroke), W. Beswick (3), H. Mortem (2), W. W. Davidson (bow); Double Sculls—D. Paterson (stroke), P. Taylor (bow). The Chairman mentioned that the John Mill Challenge Cap, which was given for the most points in the junior races, was not included in the list in the report It had been won by the club’s crews at the regattas, and would bo held by the club for the year.

In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet the Chairman spoke of the dub’s progress. There had been an increase in the receipts without any additional expenditure. They were now entirely free from debt, the bank overdraft having been wiped out, the guarantees redeemed and destroyed, and there was a considerable balance to credit.—(Applause.) This successful result could not have been achieved had it not been for the splendid, support they had received from their lady friends, to whom they owed a debt of gratitude, not easily expressed, in connection with the carnival.—-(Applause.) It was gratifying to know that thirty-five new members had been 'elected during the post year, and no doubt that number would be increased. Mr Sutton had written explaining that it was necessary for him to resign the position of caretaker of the sheds on account of his wife’s ill-health, but that he would always take an interest in the welfare of the club. Everyone would regret his leaving. They would miss both him; and Mrs Sutton at the boathouse very much, but hoped to see them down at the sheds at the club’s functions. The carnival had turned out a splendid success, and it remained for members to keep the dub in its present financial position, and make it the premier dub in Otago. Speaking to the motion, Mr E. L. Wilson, vice-president, spoke 'in congratulatory terms of the dub’s progress. It was by dint of hard training and by sticking to their work that they had gained the position they had. There was no doubt that when they had men who would give their spare time and attention to rowing, -it was a great incentive to juniors to try to push themselves to the front. There was no getting away from the fact that if they did not have successful dub races they would not succeed at regattas, and he hoped thv men would be got down to the sheds, so as to make dub racing as successful as the racing at regattas. He had noticed that there had been great carelessness shown by some members in the way they left rhV house-boat. It was the- duty of members to leave that boat in a fit state for the next pleasure party to use He would like to see the match with Timaru revived, as ;t tended to promote the friendly rivalry which was beneficial to rowing. Mr Mitchell had a word to say about finance. He referred to the fact that there were 12 or 13 guineas outstanding for subscriptions, and he hoped the office-bearers would be more active in this connection during the coming season. The dob had got £lB by the sale of two boats. One beat Had * been bought a short time ago for £35 and sold for £ls. He also referred to an item for damage done to boats, and thought that if it were due to the carelessness of members, the rule (which had fallen into disuse) that such members should be made to pay ought to, be He also thought the boathouse plant should be written down, and suggested that it should be valued. After some explanatory remarks on points of detail had been interchanged the report was adopted. , Officers for the ensuing year were elected as follows; Patron, the Hon. Georgs M'Lean; president, Mr John White; vicepresidents—Messrs L. E. Wilson, CL P. M. Butterworth, and W. F. Edmond; captain, Mr P. J. Priest (all these gentlemen were re-elected); deputy-captain, Mr M. H. Priestbon. secretary. Mr P. H. Ham; hem. treasurer, Mr CL E. f Statham; and committee —Messrs H. Brasch, L. CL Kirkcaldy, 0. E. (Gooch, J. F. MTliath, J. WL Matthewson, and H. A. LeCren. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr G IHman for his surrender of three £2 debentures, and further votes to the many who had done good service in connection with the carnival. ' It was decided, in this connection, to give a dance in honor of the ladies. After some discussion it was decided that the General Committee be recommended to formulate a scheme for the investment of some £l5O, and to consider the question of registering the chib nnder the Unclassified Societies Act >.