OTAGO YACHT AND MOTOR BOAT CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22367, 14 September 1934, Page 16

OTAGO YACHT AND MOTOR BOAT CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club was held last night, the commodore (Mr .C. W. Suudstrum) presiding, over a good attendance of members and visitors. The annual report stated that-the club was still faced with the difficulties of the times through which they were passing, but .it was pleasing to note that it-had held its own. Tlie syllabus for the season was a short one, as it was felt that, with fewer races to concentrate on, better entries and racing would result. The handicappers and the members of the Sailing Committee had put in a good deal of time in the interests of racing, but the response of the owners was a poor one. If the boat owners did not want racing the committee would like to know, but if they did the club could arrange for races. The thanks of the club were due to the donors of prizes. The club’s official opening day had been held at Vauxhall in conjunction with other clubs in the harbour. Most of the work under the heading of club improvements had been of a maintenance nature, and had been kept down to the necessary minimum. The thanks of club were also due to the handicappers, the Sailing and Slip Committees, the Harbour Board, the caretaker (Mr C. J. Nelson), the retiring delegates to the association, Messrs A. W. Hazelwood and J. Small, and to the honorary auditor (Mr B. R. Nees). The balance sheet showed that the club had a bank balance of £65 18s 2d, compared with an opening balance of £77 Os Id. This was extremely satisfactory. In the income and expenditure account there was a profit of £2 Os 6d. Due allowance had been made for bad and doubtful subscriptions and fees, and all amounts unrecoverable had been written off. The club’s finances were in a very healthy state, but it had to be remembered that they might have to face a heavy season in respect of repairs and maintenance. Moving tlie adoption of the report and balance sheet the commodore .said that the past season had been a quiet one, and the activities had been of a restricted nature. An improvement was necessary in the racing as it was disappointing to the committee to see their efforts so weakly supported. However, Mr Nees was building a new boat, and this should cause keen competition. Admiral Byrd’s 46ft motor boat would soon be moored in the harbour, and this should stimulate interest in the sport. Regarding the balance sheet, he said that it showed they had just been marking time, but he thought that it was very satisfactory that they had come out on the right side. He would like to say a few words of praise to the caretaker (Mr J. Nelson), who had worked very hard. Members probably little realised how much labour was entailed in looking after the boats. Mentioning the fact that the possible erection of steel works might make it necessary for the boat harbour to be shifted, the commodore assured members that he had it on good authority that they would be treated in a proper manner if it were necessary for them to move.

Seconding the motion, Mr A. W. Hazelwood said that last year the motor boat racing had been disappointing, but in his opinion the yachting had been very good, the last race of the season having been one of tlie best he had seen. The balance sheet was very satisfactory considering tlie difficult times. He would like, he said, to mention the splendid work done by the retiring commodore. Mr Sfindstrum had done a great deal of work —work which nobody knew about and for which he received no credit. — (Applause.) The election of office-bearers resulted as follows: —Commodore, Mr A. W. Hazelwood; vice-commodore, Mr R. Cahill; rear-commodore, Mr J. T. Paul; past commodore, Mr C. W. Suudstrum; secretary, Mr J. H. A. MTveefry; treasurer, Mr 6. Angel 1; auditor, Mr B. R. Nees; delegates to Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Association —Messrs A. W. Hazelwood and R. Cahill; committee— Messrs A. E. Dawson, A. Knewstubb, J. T. Paul, G. Steel, W. Henderson. DPaterson, L. Stevens and H. Berland. The Mayor (tlie Rev. E. T. Cox), who was present, then presented the prizes won during the year as follows: — Combined series with Vauxhall Club. — Yachts, 14 feet and under —Eileen 1, Starlight 2. Yachts over 14 feet— Tucana 1, Dawn 2. Motor boats, general handicap—Nell 1, Marewa 2. Cruising race to Broad Bay, H. F. Nees Memorial Cup—Tucana I, and winner of cup. General handicap, motor boats—Stella 1, Rover 2. Special series.—General handicap, yachts, Oliphant Cup—Val 1. General handicap, motor boats—lmp 1, Verona 2. Irwin Cup, Tucana. After the meeting a social gathering was held.