AUCKLAND YACHT CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10125, 7 May 1896, Page 5

AUCKLAND YACHT CLUB.

The members of the Auckland Yacht Club held a smoke conoert in the Metropolitan Hotel, last night, as a wind up of the season. There was a very large gathering of members and their friends, and a most enjoyable evening was spent. Mr. J. L. R. Bloomfield, Commodore of the Club, presided, and expressed his gratification at seeing so many present. The season which had just closed, had been the best, from all points of view. The weather had been good, and the number of members to the club and yachts had considerably increased. and he hoped that the next season would he even more successful. The prizes won at the club races were then presented, Dr. Coates (Ladye Wilma) taking the first prize for o-raters and the champion flag presented by Mr. George Goldie} Messrs, W, R. and P. Wilson (Moana), second prize; Messrs. Chi.ofis'<l, Cossar, and Co. (Mahaki), first prize for the 2J-raters and the Commodore's Ouj and champion flag, presented by the club. A flag was also presented to Mr. W. Liud, of the Daisy, his yacht having held the Commodore's Cup last year. The recipients were all loudly cheered as they received their prizes. Mr. Bloomfield then proposed the toast of " Yachting," which was enthusiastically received, Dr. Coates responded, and in the course of his remarks said that the past season had been the most interesting season of any in which he had taken part in Auckland. _ Yachting had made wonderful strides in Britain of late years, but taking the population and the means of the people of New Zealand into consideration, the development here was marvellous. He had visited the various ports of Australia, but not one place took such interest in yachting as Auckland. This concluded the formal business of the evening, and Mr. Bioomfield vacated the chair, asking all present to make the remainder of the evening as sociable as possible. Mr George Gilmer called for three cheers for the Commodore, which was heartily responded to. In acknowledging the compliment Mr. Bloomfield said that he had the best interests of the Yacht Club at heart, and he hoped yet to see it the premier club of the Australasian colonies. During the evening musical items were contributed by the members of the VVaiata Quartette Club (Messrs. George, Trenwith, Wright, and Rogerson), Messrs. G. and M. Lewis, B. Keesing, ai d several others, and recitations by Messrs. G. Gilmer aud M. and G. Lewis. A very pleasant evening was brought to a close by singing " Auld Lang Syne."