MANAWATU ROWING CLUB.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 15, 22 October 1880, Page 2

MANAWATU ROWING CLUB.

The adjourned anrual meeting of the Manawatu Rowing Club waa held at Whyto's Hotel on Wednesday evening, at 7.30 p.m. There was a largo attendance of members. In the absenoo of the Vice President (Mr Stewart), who was out of town, Mr Russell was voted to the chair. The Chairman read the following report of the outgoing Committee: — i "In presenting the annual report, the Committee have great plensuro in cougrntu- j lating the Club upon the prosperous stato j of its affairs. As no report has hitherto been presented to the Club, (he Committee have taken this opportunity of briefly stating the progress made since it wus started. 11 The first meeting was hoW on January 18, 1870, nud shortly after its foundation the Club had 27 members, although a large number of these were only nominal mombers, who joined the Club to give it a start, many having since dropped out. 14 The second year of the Club began on October 1, 1879, and now terminates. During tho year subscriptions have boon paid by nineteen membera, nearly all of whim are likely to continue, bu.t we hoar thnre will be ft considerable accession to tho membership this year, as the advantages the Club offers for healthy and invigorating recreation nro becoming more fully appreciated. "The Club now owns three boats— (l.) The in rigged batswine four Queen Mab, purohased for £20; including oars; (2) Ti-eoutrigger gig, four-oared, Dolly Vurden, landed in Foxton at a cost of £20 without oars; (3.) The Duchess, pair-oared outrigger, which coat £17 10s, without oars. The Queen Mab and Duchess were both bought during the first year, and the Dolly Varden about three months ago, at the close of last season. "Tho Committee recommend the purchase of another inrigged batswing four as soon as possible. "The necessity of a shed forced itself early npoa the attention of the Club, and it was determined to erect a suitablo building on a rte adjoining the river, near tho ferry. The building is 50 feet x 12 feet, and ia a strong and serviceable structure. During the past year, a dressing-room has been found nooeßsary, and a suitable addition hat been therefore made on the north side of tk« toat«hed, The «atmAQe to tit* abed

has been greatly improved by the erection of a sound platform, t'ae ond of which rises and falls with the tide, thas giving easier access to and from the water. •• The Club has hitherto been very successful when competing for prizes. At the Fox tou Regatta, 1880, the Club's boat Queen Mab manned by Messrs Howe, Symons, J Colliaa, aud W. Collins, with Joo Collins coxswain, competed against a boat from each of iho two Wamj:inui Clubs, and succeeded in the two cvenwin carrying off the first prize. 'I ha game cruw visited Wanganui, to attend tho Regatta theie, and carried ofl the first prize also ia )T the Champion race. The Queen Mab was also rowed at tne s-ame regaita in the junior race by another crew, but the boat was not successful in this instance. Other races at the Foiton regatta than those particularised, were won ry the Club, but do not call for special mention. " With regard to the funds, the Committee would state that the first year the amount raised was £33 2s fid, made up of members' subscriptions, donations, and pro* ceeds of an entertainment. During the past-year the receipts were £1O : J 19s 7d, made. u|> tlfe .follows : — Members' subscriptions, £23 3Vsd.; prizes won by the Club, £47 6d; uejf' proceeds of entertainments given under ttfe auspices of the Club, £15 14s 7i ; donations, £7 7s ; sale of property, £1 3s; subscriptions towards expenses of crew at Wanganui, £9 5s (id ; total, £103 19d 7d. The total income of the Club to date has therefore been £137 2s Id. The expenditure to date hsw been as follows : — Boats, £57 10s Od ; boatshod, dressing room, i\nd platform, £59 17s Od ; entrances, &0., at Regattas (includiug expenses of crew at W&ngauui), £15 13s 9d ; advertising for Cub, £2 los 6d ; sundries, £l Os 10d ; repairs <o boats, ss ; total, £137 2s Id. " It will therefore b j seen the Club starts its third year with a clean sheet, though there are soveral small accouuts to be passed, which will leave it slightly in debt. " The boats are all in good repair, nud the Committee hope the members will by assiduous practice retaiu the '.aunls this year the Club has already won . 'I " During the year two entertainments were given on behalf of the Club, which realised £15 14s 7d. The Committee would thankfully acknowledge tho gratuitous and willing services of the ladies and gentlemen of the district who assisted at the entertainmeuts. — G. Gkay, Hon. Ser," Upon tho motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Howe, the report 113 rend was adopted. A letter was read from Mr Taylor, boatbuilder, of Wellington, offering to build a first-class iuriggred batswtng four, with sliding seats and all the letest improvements, for the sum of £119. It was resolved to aocept tho offer, on condition that the bo»t was turned out at a reasonably early date, payments to be made as follows : — Half cash on delivery, the remainder upon promissory note at three months. Mr Taylor having forwarded three new samples of rowlocks, it was resolved that tho class of rowlocks to be used b:> left in the hands of the captain of the club (Mr Howe) to determine. The Secretary was requested to writ* to Mr Taylor, of Wellington, aud request him to provide tho Club wiih a puir of new 12---feet sculls for use in tho pair-oared boat. The following mem be. a having been nominated at the previous meeting to act ns the Committee for lite ensuing year, tho nominations were confirmed : — Me.-sr« J. Sjnions, Cox, Shore. G. Russoll, H, Burr, J. Rud-sell, and J. C'ullina. A lengthy discussion took place upon the following motion, proposed by Air UnsseU, seconded by Mr Young, " That in the event of the Club being wound up, the re-oluliu" to th'it effect must be passed at pnnnrtt-tp ing, aii'l confirmed at a meeting held not sooner than four weeks later ; that the property be sold, but that no b;>ats be sold • without consulting a meeting of the Club, and thut the prceceils be divided amongst tho members pro rata, according to tho'number of successive years oacli member hns been a duly-qualified men.ber of the Ciub." An amendment was pirpo-ed by Mr Cox, seconded pro forum by Mi- J. ttussell, " '1 hat ■ all the wurclii after pro raia be omitted.' 1 Tho amendment was lost. Mr J. Russell , then proposed .13 en amendment the ad. dition of the following vvorda :— " That the boats, & \, be sold by auction as soon as practicable after the. resolution is carried winding up the Club." This was seconded by Mr Cox, but was also lost. The original motion was then put and carried, there being only two dissentient*. A letter was read from Mr G. Gray, resigning the office of Hon. Secretary. • Proposed by Mr Young, seconded by Mr Davidson, " That Mr Cox be elected Hon. Secretary, vice Mr Gray." Carried unanimously. Upon the motion of MrJ. Russell, seconded by Mr Shore, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr Gray for his past services. A letter was read from D H. Macarthur, E>q , of Feilding, signifying his acceptance of the position of President of the Club, nnd forwarding a substantial donation tq the funds of the Club. The secretary, was requested to reply to Mr Macarthur's letter. The following members were elected a Match Committee for the ensuing season : — Messrs Howe, J. Sytnous, nnd Cos. This concluded the business, and ihe meeting closed.