AUCKLAND YACHT CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10338, 13 January 1897, Page 6

AUCKLAND YACHT CLUB.

A general meeting' of the members of the < Auckland Yacht Club was'held in the Harbour Board Offices last night. There was a fair attendance, and Mr. Thomas Henderson,: commodore, presided. Hew Members.—Mr. Mercer was elected a member of the club, and Mr. J. Beale was nominated for membership. • Possonbx Regatta.—A letter was . read from the owners of the yacht Waitangi, drawing attention to the action of the Ponsonby Regatta. Committee regarding the race between the Waitangi and the Mahoe. .'The Chairman said that there'was apparently some misapprehension on the part of the Regatta Committee, who had asked the club to adjudicate upon any disputes that might arise, but had appointed a sailing committee, who had settled the matter. Two disputes had arisen, but neither had been referred ,to the Yacht Club. His own opinion was thai the club had been treated very cavalierly, as these questions should have been referred to the club. The Ponsonby Regatta Committee had run their races under the club's rules, but had_ totally ignored them. However, his opinion was. that the Yacht Club had no. power to interfere, seeing that no protests had been received from the Regatta Committee. Mr. John Wiseman pointed out that under the present circumstances the club could do nothing in the matter. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to send a reply to the owners of the Waitangi stating that as the matter had not been referred to the club by the Ponsonby Regatta Committee the club could take no action: also that a letter be sent to the Ponsonby Regatta Committee expressing regret that any disputes had not been referred to the Auckland Yacht Club for settlement. Yachts' Moorings.—A letter from Mr. Frix regarding moorings for the yachts was read, and it was decided to reply that, whilst the suggestion was a good one, it was a matter in which individual yacht-owners should take action. Sail Plan.—The owners of the yacht Mahaki gave notice of their intention to have the sail plan of their yacht altered. Wharves on the Sooth Shore.—Mr. C. A. Harris, of the Thames Exploration Company, drew the attention of the club to the great want of wharves on the South shore of the harbour, and asking the assistance of the club in the matter. The letter was received. Annual Subscription.—Mr. David Carter wrote enclosing a requisition signed by fifty-five members of the club, asking that the subscription fee for membership be reconsidered. Mr. Carter, in speaking to the subject pointed out that a large number of the members considered that a mistake had been made in raising the fee. Mr. R. S. Reynolds said that although he had voted for the raising of the amount of the fee he had come to the conclusion after further considering the subject that it would affect 'the club very adversely. Mr. John Wiseman thought that it showed a very poor spirit on the' part of yachts' crews in objecting to pay a fair proportion towards the providing of prizes for races. The chairman pointed one ! that perhaps only about ten yachts entered for the prizes, leaving the rest of the fleet to provide funds for which they had no chances of competing. Mr, A. Buchanan said that lie had supported the raising of the fee, but upon further consideration he had come to the conclusion that it was better to fix it at 10s 6d. If the fee were raised he was sure that it would be very disastrous to the Club. More funds might be raised by making the entrance fees for the races larger. It was unanimously resolved, "That the resolution of the annual meeting be rescinded, and that the fee for the present season be 10s 6d, M Club Races.— following club races were fixed : Yachts, class D. (30 footers): First prize, cup presented by Mr. J. L, R. Bloomfield; second prize, £2 10s ; entrance fee, 103, to be run on January 23. Entries to be made before January 20. Yachts, class D (30 footers): First prize, £5; second, £210s; entrance, 10s. To be run January 30. Entries to be made before January 20. Class C (36 footers): First prize, £7 10s; second, £3 103; entrance fee, 10s. To be run on Jauuary 30; entries to be made on January 20, Cruisers Handicap race : For all yachts that have not competedinanyclassrace during the present season; all yachts be in cruising trim according to club's rule. First prize, £5; second, £3; third, £2. Entrance fee, ss, Five boats to start or no second prize, and 10 to start or no third prize. To be run on February 27, entries to be made before February 24. General Handicap Race, open to all classes: First prize, £5; second, £3; third, £2. To be run on March 27, entries before March 24. Messrs. A. Buchanan, F. W. Mace, and D. Carter, were appointed a handicap committee. Annual Excursion.— annual excursion of the Club was fixed for February 13, it being the intention to visit Motuihi if possible. The following committee were appointed to arrange a programme of events: —Captain Gibbs, Messrs. J. C. Webster, Parsons, Hughes, F. W. Mace. C. P. Murdoch, G. Gilmer, G. V. Edgcuinbe, H. Bloomfield, Bellamy, and R. S. Reynolds. Back Subscriptions. — The Chairman drew attention to the rule regarding the payment of subscriptions, a number being in arrear. It was decided to issue a circular to each defaulting member notifying that if their subscriptions were not paid by the 30th instant, their names would be struck off the list of members.