WHANGAREI ROWING CLUB.

Northern Advocate, 25 September 1919, Page 2

WHANGAREI ROWING CLUB.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The annual meeting was held last eveninb at de Tourret's Buildings, at 8 o'clock. Mr W. Jack was voted to the chair, and he expressed his pleasure at seeing so many at the meeting. There wer e twenty-four present, and all seemed enthusiastic ito maintain the honor of the club and to advance the interests of rowing. ANNUAL, KEFOKT. The annual report was read by Air vv. J. jttrydon, and on the nomination: oi Mr iv. U. ivi. Kelly, was unanimously adopted. The report is as follows: — Unity Urged.— .our executive committee have mucn pleasure m presenting to you cue report and oal-ance-sneec lor the season lyib-li). in doing so, they feel confident that all followers of this healthy ; manly sport us one of our Dominion's national sports, will join in expressing their gratification at the close of the great war, and extending 1 to the relatives and friends of the fallen heroes tneir sincere sympathy. To all returned and returning men a warm welcome home is extended, and a wish that they will be found fit and able to again join us in the good old sport. There are probably hard times ahead, and it is up to' all rowing enthusiasts to put their shoulder •to the wheel and be united in their efforts, or tney may be found taking a back number in one of our National Sports.

Season's Success. —During the season the club was fortunate in being able to take the field in three regattas, namely:—Onerahi, Hamilton, and Mercer, and it met with good success, when you take into consideration the number of young oarsmen which were members of the crews which represented the club. The total amount of prize money won was £41.

Finance.—The season was started with a debit balance of £20 6g 4d, and a fair amount of expenditure was required over and above this amount for repairs to the plant before the season could be opened, and it is very gratifying to note that at the end of th e season, after adding much equipment and the Roll of Honour to the shed, that the committee has lodged to the club's credit, at fixed deposit for 12 months, the amount of £20, and also written off £5 15s Id of the bank overdraft. Boat Shed Fund.—With the £20 deposited at fixed deposit it is proposed to start a building fund for a new shed, and the committee trusts that their action in doing so will meet with the full support of every member of the club, and further that the committee elected for the forthcoming season will inaugurate a scheme which will rais c sufficient money for the proposed new shed. • Forthcoming Season}. —Everything points to a record season, and it is to be hoped that members will do their best to assist the officers in any effort they may make to provide for . this manly and healthy sport. The committee regret the loss of several of their oarsmen, who hav e left the district and will not be on hand to don the colours with us this season. To them we extend the club's best wishes for their future in the new districts where they settle. Congratulatory.—ln conclusion, the committee wish to congratulate the club on its membership and very satisfactory financial position. FINANCIAL. Mr K. G. M. Kelly read the financial statement. From this it appears that notwithstanding a bank overoverdraft of £20, the excess of assets over liabilities amounted to £368. The rowing club shed was assessed at £160, and the boating plant; consisting of one racing four, two pairoar, two four-oar, one racing pair, one single scull, etc., are valued at £210. A special item in the receipts was the prize money received from regattas, the amount of £41 being made up from Onerahi (£3O), Hamilton (£10), and Mercer (£1). The chairman dwelt upon the fact of the great need of the club of a convenient shed, and a vigorous forward movement was urged for the ensuing season. In answer to a question by Mr'R. Allan, as to the amount taken off the depreciation of the boat shed, Mr Kelly said that to replace the shed, considerably more would b e required than is notified in the valuation recorded in the balance-sheet. The plant is now worth fifty per cent, more than its original cost Mr Kelly said h e would make a recommendation to the incoming treasurer to write off an amount on the next balance-sheet. NEW MEMBERS. A large number of names was proposed for membership and unanimously elected. They include Messrs E. W. Fendall, A. Steadman, A. Stack, B. Harris, W. Bowden, O. Carlo, R. Steele, G. Hall, Butt, C. Lambly, Beehre,' W, Palmer, A. E. Ross, Roy Cutforth, and F. Simpson. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following were unanimously elected, and with acclamation:— Patron: Mr F. Mander, M.P. President: Mr D. W. Jack. Vice-Presi-dents: Dr. Campbell and Mr A. R. Pickmere, CAPTAINCY. Although the feeling of the meeting was united in desiring Mr Brydon to continue in office he felt diffident about accepting the position on account of his frequent absence on business matters. Mr Alec. Jack's name was mooted, but although a warm feeling was expressed for the returning man, it was felt that he may not want to assume ofnc c so soon. It was ultimately decided, upon the nomination of the chairman, and with the hearty approval of all present, that Mr Brydon should be captain for the coming season.

On the proposition of Mr Menzies, seconded by Mr T. Gough, Mr Jim Mason was appointed vice-captain.

SECRETARY. It was felt that the work of the club should be shared by new officers, and Mr H. Bradley was unanimously elected secretary. TREASURER}, Upon the nomination of Mr Kelly, seconded by Mr Brydon, Mr E. W. Fendall was heartily appointed to the position of treasurer. COMMITTEE. Seven names having been proposed, a ballot was held, and Messrs W Jack, H. Menzies, A. Birch, T. Gough, and J. W. Mclntyre were elected. CAPTAIN'S AUTHORITY. A question of procedure was raised regarding the captain's action in a particular instance, and the chairman ruled that the authority of the captain was absolute and that the success of the club's working depended upon ita frank recognition. AUDITOR. At the suggestion of Mr K. G. M. Kelly, Mr Deighton was re-appointed without any dissent. • SELECTION COMMITEE. The rules provided for th c election of a member to act in conjunction with the captain and vice-cap-tain as a select committee, and two names were submitted—Messrs Menzies and Gough. Mr Menzies retired in favour of Mr T. Gough who was appointed with acclamation. MEMBERSHIP FEE. In the interests of the younger members, and with a view to a larger membership, Messrs Gough and Abbott moved in the direction of reducing the subscription from 25s to 20s. ,Mr Kelly thought that with the expenses ahead of new plant> and shed, the present amount was not too much. Mr Jack considered a > = reduction as a great mistake, regarding it out of the question, favouring on the contrary rather an increased subscription. In. any case the chairman ruled the matter out of order, stating that a notice of motion could be given to alter the rule > if so desired. Mr Brydon thought aft age-limit might be a more pleasing way. Mr Menzies .regarded 25s as being a small amount for six months' sport and said that if it was not worth that it was not worth anything at all. At the suggestion of Mr Gough the matter was then dropped. PRINTED RULES. On Mr Brydon' s suggestion seconded by Mr Menzies it was agreed to recommend to the incoming committee that the club get printed 200 copies of the rules. MEMBERS' TICKETS. A similar suggestion was made to the new committee to issue a membership card. This was proposed by Mr Kelly and seconded by Mr Mclntyre and carried. OPENING DAY. The opening day was fixed for «he end of next month, and it was agreed to specially invit e the patron and president to attend. *Mr Brydon suggested an "at home" for the opening day and the suggestion was left for the committee. RAISING FUNDS Mr R. Allah raised the question of running a Carnival Queen to augment the funds, 'and, stated that up to £400 had .been raised elsewhere from that source. ' Mr Mclntyre also stated that< an amount up to £475 clear of expenses had been raised. >■ Mr Steadman thought that art union would bring in a lot of money. Mr Brydon pleaded for a better shed and more conveniences generally, and supported the suggestion to the committee for a definite plan to provide additional funds. WORKING BEE. -A working be e was fixed for the week-end to put the shed and gear generally into working order* Thanks to the chair by acclamation concluded the business.