AQUATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14209, 4 November 1909, Page 8

AQUATICS.

ANNIVERSARY DAY REGATTA.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS.

A meeting of aquatic men was hold in th© Palmerston Chambers yesterday afternoon, Captain Parker presiding. Tho business was to consider the advisability of again holding the Auckland Anniversary Day Regatta. Tho chairman explained that a public meeting was called last week, but lapsed, only a few enthusiasts being present. He hoped they would not allow th© fixture to lapiie. It was decided to proceed with the regatta. Mr. C. C, Dacre proposed, " That all present be formed into an initial committee, with power to add to the number." Tho motion was carried, and the following were appointed, th© list including some who were not present but had signified their intention of assisting: Captains H. Parker, J. Brown, Paris, W. Ross, and W. D. Grant, Messrs. E. Hodgson, jun., J. Boonstra, C. C. Dacre, ABrett, F. W. Chalmers, G. Shcahan, A. Spencer, L. Fisher, M. Walsh, F. H. Burbush. C. P. Stichbury, W. A. Wilkinson, G. Moberley, D. Gouk, J. Endcan, jun., K. Organ, W. Sinton, R. Fisher, H. C. Jones. The following officers were then elected: Patrons, His Excellency the Governor, Hon. Sir J. G. Ward (Prime Minister), Hon. Geo. Fowlds, and Sir John Logan Campbell; vice-patrons, all re-elected; president, Mr. C. D. Grey (Mayor of Auckland); vice-presidents, all re-elected; chairman of committee, Captain Parker; ' vice-chairman, Mr. J. Boonstra; secretary, Mr. C. C. Dacre; treasurer, Mr. A. Spencer. ■ The secretary reported that he had forwarded a letter to Sir John Logan Campbell, on© of the patrons of the regatta, congratulating him on attaining his 92nd birthday. The action of the secretary was endorsed by acclamation. - Tho committe resolved to writ© to tho .Admiralty, requesting that the Australasian squadron be sent to Auckland, and stationed in the Waitemata Harbour on Annivcrsay Day. It was mentioned during discussion that th© necessary notice required by tho Admiralty was three months, but it was thought an application mado now would give ample time for arrangements to bo made. Members considered tho success of th© regatta would be greater and tho great aquatic carnival more spectacular if the squadron was in port. The treasurer reported that the collecting cards would bo given to members of tho committee at the next meeting. Some regret was expressed at the decision to revive the Ponsonby regatta, members considering that aquatic men should unit© and tnako th© Anniversary Day Regatta the one great aquatic carnival of th© year.

PONSONBY REGATTA. . t A meeting of the committee of the Pon"sonby regatta was held in the Ponsonby Football Club shed on Tuesday evening to consider matters connected with the proposed regatta to be held on December 18. There was a full attendance," Mr. Linder , presiding. The list tof vice-presidents was added to by the election of Messrs. C. D. • Grey (Mayor of Auckland), V. Masefield, J. Uriggs, H. Jones, W. A. Thompson, and R. Thompson. Messrs. W. C. Somers and John Arneil were elected auditors. Messrs. W. Carter, R. Braund, W. W. Sinton, A. Clare, F. Scott, W. Wilson, and J. Boonstra were elected as the Sailing Committee. It was decided to write to the Auckland Amateur Rowing Association and the various rowing clubs, asking them to appoint delegates. The appointment of handicappera for the sailing events was held over until a future meeting. Messrs. D. Baker, C. J. Parr, C. H. Poole, W. Austin, R. Farrcll, A. Cummin and B, Brigham were elected as tho Afternoon Tea Committee. -" The

question of obtaining a suitable vessel to act as flagship for the regatta was considered, and it was decided to leave the - matter in the hands of the chairman, the secretary, and Mr. A. Spencer to inquire and report to the next meeting.

! Mr. Tom Ker, who met his death: through •a fire at Napier recently, was well known in rowing circles in the Dominion. For many seasons he, was a member of the Union Rowing Club, Christchurch, and as a sculler he met with much success, his best efforts being about three seasons ago, when he rowed with E. O'Brien in the junior races,- the pair winning everything beforo them. He then removed to Napier and last year won the Junior Double Sculls with J. Cato at the championship regatta, for the /Union Club, Napier. Although not brilliant with the oar,: his fine long swing , with a good leg drive won Ker f many laurels as a - sculler, and this season he contemplated rowing amongst the senior scullers. His unfor- : tunate death is much deplored and will leave a big gap to fill up in his club at Napier. Owing to the unsettled state of the weather, the Auckland Rowing Club have decided to postpone their first trial fours until Saturday, November 13. Entries will -close on Saturday next. ■ When Mr. F. M. Spurdle, of Wanganui, was in a factory in Venice during a European tour recently, ho remarked to another ' visitor that he came from Wanganui. " Then rou know Webb!" was the exclamation made ■... bv an attendant. It transpired from subsequent conversation that the attendant was the champion sculler of Italy, and he had "been following Webb's performances with srreat interest. He expressed himself as very pleased to have met someone who knew Webb, and commissioned Mr. Spurdle to convoy to the Wanganui sculler his good wishes. ..■".:.-.. v.-. ~,;•.'" ■•..-': .•■ ■.:■;' ..;