OTAGO ROWING ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13078, 14 September 1904, Page 6

OTAGO ROWING ASSOCIATION.

Tho annual meeting of tho Oiago Eowing Association was held last night in' the clubhouse, Moray place. Tho presidont of the association (Mr James Mills) occupied the chair, and there were also present Messrs P. J. Priest, L. Wilson, L. L. Kirkcaldy (0.K.0.), 0. It. Goooh and J. A. Stables (Uamaru), 11. M'lndoa and W. Wills (M.K.8.0.), A. E. Uascoigno and E, Bell (JD.A.B.U).

'The Chairman, in moving; tho adoption of_ the annual report and balance'sheet, said that tho association had commcnccd tho year with a credit balance of £55 8a lOd, and ended up with a credit balance of £84 17s 4d, tho funds of tho association having been thus increased by nearly £31), a state of affairs which should bo looked upon by tho members as highly satisfactory, ho thought that tho association was vory much indebted to tho delegates and ethers who had taken such an active part in tho work of tho yoar. Thcro wis ono matter to which ho had to refer, and that was the severe loss tho association had sustained in the death of their esteemed friend ana ex-president, tho Jato Mr John White, who could practically bo called tho father of rowing in Duncdin. The year just closed had been an eventful ono for the Otago Hawing Association, inasmuch as tho event of tho year—the championship regatta—was held hero under the management of the association, and ho was suro that tho management of the championship regatta at Otago compared very favourably with that at other centres. The objcct ot tho asociation was to encourage amateur rowing and scitiling, and it must be acknowledged that in this thoy had certainly been successful. Ho would conclude his remarks by congratulating tho association on the position it was in, and the satisfactory manner, in which tho year had been finished, and'by expressing on his own behalf, as president, and on behalf of tho association in general, appreciation of tho cnergetio work done by tho delegates, who had all dono so much for tho association.

Mr A. E. Gascoigno seconded tho motion, and at tho same timo referred briefly to the loss tho association had sustained in the death of Mr White. The loss of Jfr White, moreover, was a pereoiial loss of a great friend to most of the members.

Mr L. It. Wilson, in supporting the chairman's remarks, said it was very gratifying to him as an old delegate to be ablo to congratulate tho association on the financial position to which it had attained'. It was pleasing to see that the initiation of trophies had lent a great aid to rowing here, and had brought out a number'uf crews which otherwise would probably not have entered. It was also gratifying to know that their first year" under the new Centre system had turned cut so well. Tho chango from having only one centra association, as was tho case in past years, was proved by this association in the last year to bo a step in the right direction.

Mr James Mills was again elected- to tlio position of president of tho association, and Mi- 0. 11. Gooch as secretary and treasurer. Tho following delegates have boon appointed from the various elubs:—Port Chalmors 11.0.: Vicc-president, Mr J. Mill; delegates, Messrs 15. I'. Moil - and J. Ilarlami. U.li.C.: Vico-prcsident, Mr Jj. R, Wilson; delegates, Messrs I'. J. Priest and 11. Urasch. Oamaru Boating Club: Vice-presi-dent, Mr F. W. Mitchell; delegates, Messrs J. A! Stables and C. E. (Jooeli. 13.A.15.C.: Vice-president, Mr A. 12. Gascoigne; delegates, Messrs J. Isaacs and (J. Hogan. JN.E.B.C : Vice-president, Mr W. Wills; delegate,' Messrs F. Foster and K. M'lndcc. There are still a vice-president and two delegates to conu from tho Queen's Drive Oiub, which has not yet held its annual meeting.

Mr Gooch said- tlicro was one gentle.man who had done a great deal of work last year, and had received no, recognition for it. lie referred to Mr Stables. Practically the whole of tho treasurer's work and a good proportion of tho secretarial work had been done ungrudgingly by that gentleman,—ill - Gooch's remarks having boon endorsed by Mr li. It. Wilson and the president, it was decided to placo on tho minutes'a special vote of thanks to Mr Stables for his work.

Tho meeting closed with a voto of thanks to tho auditors (Messrs H. A. LeCren and ,Ins. Brown), and to tho chairman lor presiding.