AUCKLAND YACHT CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10278, 2 November 1896, Page 6

AUCKLAND YACHT CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Auckland Yacht Club was held in the Harbour Board Offices on Friday night. There was a very large attendance, aud Mr. J. L. R. Bloomfleld (Commodore) presided. The report and balance-sheet as follow were read aud adopted :—

Report.— committee has much pleasure in congratulating the members on the continued prosperity of the Club, it>nd on the success of the past season. The number of yachts on the register is fifty, and the number of members one hundred and forty, of whom twenty were elected during the year. The competition iu the races under the Club rules were again good, and especially interesting in the first-class race at the Auckland Regatta, which was won by Mr. Thomas Hendorson's Volunteer. In class D tho honours were evenly divided, two prizes being won by Messrs. W. R. and P. Wilson's Moana, aud one each by Mr. R. Masefield's Thetis and Dr. Coates' Lady Wilms. In Class E the Mahaki won the five races, a record of which her owners (Messrs. Chatfield, Cossar, and Moore) have reason to be proud. The new linear rating rule of the Yacht Racing Association, the effect of which is to discourage the extreme type of yacht which is lately developing, has been adopted by the Club. The annual excursion took place at Takapuna beach, and, the weather being favourable, proved successful. There were fortytire yachts present, aud the manner in which they were huudled was favourably commented upou. The committee much regrets the loss the club has sustained by the death of two of its members, Messrs. Warwick Weston and Cbas. Reynolds. The statement of accounts shows a credit balance at the Savings Bank of £80, aud assets estimated to be worth £20. Two important propositions | will be submitted for the consideration of the members at the annual meeting ; first to acquire a club room, and second, to arrange with the \acht Clubs in the Australasian colonies for annual championship races. The successes of the past seasous, and the increasing prosperity of the city, justify the committee in believing that the club will have a bright and prosperous future. Election of Officers.-The following officers were elected for tho ensuing year :— Commodore, Mr. Thomas Henderson; vicecommodore, Mr. Thomas Kilfoyle; rear commodore, Mr. E. F. Windsor; treasurer, Mr. R. S. Reynolds (re-elected); secretary, Mr. W. A. MacUormick; assistant secretary, Mr. D. Carter, auditors, Messrs. J. G. Webster and M. Wiseman; measurers, Messrs. G. V. Edgcumbe and 0. B. Way- ■ mouth; committee, Messrs. J. Wiseman, J. Webster, J. L. R. Bloomfield, W. R. Wilson, A. Buchanan, G. V. Edgcumbe, G. Goldie, O. B. Waymouth, R. Logan, and Captain J. S. Gibljs. In vacating the chair, Mr. Bloomfield expressed his pleasure at having been elected as commodore for the two past years. He had the welfare of the Club at heart, and hoped to see it the most prosperous in the colonies. Mr. Henderson thanked the members tor the honour they had done in electing him commodore, and would use his best endeavours to forward the interests of the club. Club Room.—Mr. G. V. Edgcumbe proposed, and it was carried, ' That the incoming committee report to the clnb the advisability of having a club room.' In speaking to the motion the mover said that his idea was for a two-storey building to be erected on the reclamation near the Freezing Works. The lower storey could be used for storing yachts' dingies, etc., for which a small charge might be made. He thought that the money necessary might be raised by debentures amongst the members. Mr. Henderson thought that it might be arranged with one of the other Associations to have a meeting room together. Annual Subscription.— the motion of Mr. J. L. R. Bloomfield the subscription for the year was fixed at £1 Is. The mover said that if the members wanted a club room the subscription must be increased, as the present income was not sufficient to provide for that. The clubroom was very much needed in order that members should meet together oftener than they did at present. This want of a place where members could meet and discuss various matters at all times acted very much against that esprit dt corps which should exist amongst yachtsmen generally. Champion Race.—lt was resolved that the elub arrange with the other clubs in the Australasian colonies for championship races for the smaller class of yachts. Lord Brassev.— Mr. Bloomfield said that it was probable Lord Brassey, the Governor of Victoria, would visit Aucklaud shortly, and',on his motion, it was agreed that the committee should be authorised to take the necessary steps to accord Lord Brassey a reception on his arrival. Qmim of tub" Season.-The formal opening ot the season was fixed for the 9th instint, the yachts to meet off the North Head at 4 p.m. on tint date, and proceed up the harbour .in company, and perform a scries of evolutions off the Queen-street Wharf. - West End Rowing Club.—The West End Rowing Club asked p the Yacht Club if they would kindly arrange to perform a series of evolutions by the yachts, on the occasion of the opening of their new shed, on the 14th instant, and it was decided to comply with the request. Reinstatement of MEMBERS.-Mr. Henderson thought some steps should be taken to give the club power to reinstate members in the by-laws. On his motion, Mr. J. Breen was reinstated as an amateur. Measuring-.— Windsor moved, 'That the rate for measuring be raised and the dock engaged for one day, when all yachts could be floated in and measured.' The matter was left in the hands of the committee to make inquiries. Regatta.— Edgcumbe pointed out that at the various regattas, although races were run under the rules of the club, they were altered to suit local requirements, which in many instances totally ignored the Yacht* Club's rules. It was decided that the committee should enquire into the matter, and see what could be done. - New Members.— Mr. G. H. Bellamy was elected a member of the club, and the follow- . ing nominated :—Messrs. P. Greenhough, L. Lewis, F. Wiseman, Thnrue-George, FStonex, W. Penn, A. Bevins, J. M. Brigham, jun., C. P. Murdoch, andß. Dacre. Presentation.— Flags presented by the club aud Mr. R. S. Reynolds were presented to Mr. Chatfield, one of the owners of the ! Maluki, the winner of the olub's races for 2i-raters last season. Thanks.— the motion of Mr. G. Goldie, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. J. L. R. Bloomfield, the retiring commodore, In speaking to the motion Mr. Goldie said that tho club was-much indebted to Mr. Bloomfield for the great aid he had given to yachting in many ways for some years past. The vote was passed by acclamation, Mr.* Bloomfield returning thanks. Votes of thanks were passed to the officers of last season for the manner in which they had conduoted the business of the club.