OTAGO YACHT CLUB

Evening Star, Issue 21517, 15 September 1933, Page 13

OTAGO YACHT CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club was held in Mr J. H. A. M'Kcefry’s board room last night. There was a good attendance of members, and the commodore (Mr C. W. Sundstrum) presided. ANNUAL REPORT. Tire annual report recorded another successful year. Though the last few years were clouded with depression the year had appeared to end in a rising mist. A poliev of marking time was followed, and this produced good results. The membership was well mamtained, though several members found it necessary to resign. The racing during the year was somewhat curtailed and confined to two dates as it was felt that less racing would produce better entries. The first series of races was held in bad weather, but ideal conditions prevailed for the cruising race to Broad Bay. The race for the 11. Y. Nees Memorial Cup was now recognised as , one of the most important of the season, and attracted twenty entries, of whom fourteen started. The incoming committee would have to consider ways and means of making the club races more popular. The club recorded its thanks to all those who had given prizes or who had made donations during the season. Several boats tied in the Irwin Cup event, and as no deciding race was sailed it was decided not to award tire cup this year. The season was officially opened at Mac--mdrew Bay in conjunction with the Port Chalmers, Broad Bay, Vauxhall, Ravensbourne, and North-east Harbour Clubs.' The arrangements were in the hands of the last-named club, and its officers and members were to be complimented on their efforts. The club joined the sister t clubs in the annual aquatic picnic, which was most successful. The Social Committee organised several dances and unofficial outings, which were most enjoyable. Most of the work at the boat harbour bad been in the direction of maintenance, and that had been kept down to a minimum. The thanks of the members were due to all those who had in various rapacities assisted the club during the year. The balance-sheet showed a bank balance of £77 0s Id against an opening balance of £64 4s 3d. In the income and expenditure account there was a profit of £27 8s 4d. The prospects for the coming season were promising. In moving the adoption of the annual report .and balance-sheet the Commodore said that the year had been a rairly hard one, but, owing to the caution which had been exercised by the officers, it bad ended with the club in a satisfactory financial position. The racing entries had been disappointing. There were many young .men coming forward, he said, and their interest in the sport would be stimulated if members showed more enthusiasm in the racing. Members had been deeply concerned during the year by the state of the boat harbour entrance, which was as bad as it had ever been. He thought he could confidently say, however, that improvements would be effected before the end of the,year. Except, for a fence which had been blown down in the recent gale, the club’s property was in good order. During the year, said the Commodore, a reserve had been written into the club’s book_ to cover L, ’o loss on fees and subscriptions in arrears. In conclusion the speaker thanked all those who had helped the club. J'mentioning' specially the services of Messrs J. Small and A. W. Hazlewood, delegates to the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Commodore, Mr C. W. Sundstrum; vice-commodore, Mr A. W. Hazlewood; rear-commodore, Mr J. Smail; past-commodore, Mr J. T. Paul; treasurer, Mr J. Angel; secretary, Mr J. H. A. M'Keefry; committee —Messrs W. Henderson, R. Cahill, A. E. Dawson, A. Knewstubb, D. Paterson, J. Steel, L. T. Paul, J. Thomson, L. Jones, and O. R. Teschner; auditor, Air B. R. Nees; delegates to Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association, Messrs J. Smail and A. W. Hazlewood. PRIZES PRESENTED. At the conclusion of the formal business of the meeting, the prizes won during the previous season were presented bv the mayor (Rev, E. T. Cox) SUBMARINE ACTIVITIES. Mr E. Foxton, yeoman of signals. Royal Navy, addressed the members on the activities of the British submarines during the Great War. The lecturer dealt with the construction of undersea craft, and spoke of the naval operations in the North Sea during the early nart of the war. Mr Foxton told of a 174-hour voyage submerged through flip Dardanelles in the face of all the obstacles the Turks could produce. Mr Foxton’s submarine then in the Sea of Marmora for a time, sinking a number of enemy ships, and taking many prisoners. A number of naval statistics were given, and at the conclusion of this address the speaker was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. > ,