ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19455, 14 October 1937, Page 8

ENTHUSIASTIC GATHERING

SWIMMING CLUE MEMBERS 18th ANNUAL MEETING PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS There was a large and enthusiastic gathering of members of the Gisborne Amateur Surf and Swimming Club at the eighteenth annual meeting, which was held in Le Grand Cafe last evening. The president, Mr. J. S. Wailchop, occupied the chair. The treasurer, Mr. H. F. Forster, presented the financial statement, giving a comparison of the previous year’s figures. Mr. Forster mentioned that the club had commenced with a balance of £6O in hand and after the year’s operations had a surplus of The statement, he added, indicated that the club was in a sound financial position, but when considered carefully the result of the year’s working was not as good as it first appeared. During the year the club had received two special contributions, one as a result of the "Bathing Belle” campaign and the half share of the first prize and the other from the Lord Nuffield fund. If it had not been for these contributions, which totalled £69. the club would have been down on the year's working in comparison with the previous year. ' On the other hand, the club had to pay increased travelling expenses as a result of the visit of the Auckland team, while there were several other items that would not be recurring. A Warning Issued The speaker drew attention to the fact that the Club received only £8 from membership fees, and he gave a warning that the incoming committee would have to watch the expenditure during the coming season. In moving the adoption of the annual report, already published, and the balance-sheet, the chairman stated that Mr. Forster had referred to a disturbing item in connection with the membership subscriptions. Undoubtedly a larger amount should be received from that source. The sport was a good one and Mr. Wauchop said he knew of no better. It was well worthy of encouragement and it was the duty of all to induce young people to take an active part, in the sport. He pointed out the value of club membership and the benefits derived in after-life fioni participation in the government _of the club. That was an aspect which some people lost sight of. Concerning the financial position, he considered that in view of the unfavourable weather conditions last season, the club was to be congratulated on its success, as indicated by the standard of swimming and the financial statement. He referred to the added interest in the development of the surf life saving activities. The report mentioned the establishment of another life saving society at Wainui Beach and he considered that there was nothing so good for the development of the sport as competition. Last Year’s Weakness It was pleasing to see the part that the voung members were playing in the activities of: the club, Mr. Wauchop continued. He would very much like to see the Ferguson Cup come back to Gisborne. Last year the weakness was in the water polo competition, and he pointed out the necessity for the team going into daily training for the contest. A happy occasion during the year, took place when a large number oi members assembled to make a presentation to Mr. C. E. Brown for the long and valued service he had rendered to the club. The motion to adopt the annual report and financial statement was seconded by Mr. E. T. Chrisp. In supporting the motion, Mr. C. E Brown said that he desired to draw attention to the fine service performed by the club captain, Mr. T. Wauchop. It was largely due to his efforts that the surf life saving activities on the beach had become once more a prominent feature of the club’s activities. In reply, Mr. Wauchop expressed appreciation of the support ho had received from club members, specially the lady members. Miss Hazel McKnight ’had given particularly valuable assistance. The motion was carried unanimously. Club Officers

Officers were elected as follows: — Patron, Mr. D. W. Coleman, M.P.; president, Mr. J. S. Wauchop; vicepresidents, Messrs. O. R. Olsen, H. F. Forster, F. J. Rowley, J. J. Martin, R. J. Eastwood, T. R. Gordon, E. T. Chrisp, C. E. Brown, J. J. Jackson, O. S. Burt, E. R. Beckett, C. Ferguson, D. W. McKeague, B. Taylor and A. C. A. Anderson, and Dr. H. Goulding Rice; captain, Mr. T. S. Wauchop; vice-captain, Mr. A. DeCosta; secretary, Miss Hazel McKnight; treasurer, Mr. H. F. Forster; auditor, Mr. H. M. Porter; committee, Mrs. J. Heeney, Miss M. Armstrong, Messrs. C. Rigby, D. Armstrong, H. Green, A. S. Fearnley, A. Knights and A. Lange. The appointment of an assistant secretary was left to the incoming committee.

The possibility of dividing the town up into districts for the purpose of a competition amongst club members was raised by Mr. A. Knights, who said he was thinking more particularly of water polo contests, but the suggestion could be extended to other events as well. The proposal was supported by the chairman, and a recommendation passed to the incoming committee that a district competition be inaugurated with a view to encouraging the sport. Mr. T. Wauchop raised the question of school children who showed promise as swimmers being admitted to the club membership free for one year. He said that Mr. .T, E. Shim min, headmaster of the Gisborne School, had mentioned the matter to him. The speaker was in favour of the proposal as he considered that in the young members they would have a nucleus of swimmers to develop the club. Several speakers supported the suggestion, Mr. A. DeCosta recommending that the High School as well as the primary schools should be included in the scheme. It was decided to recommend to the incoming committee that the suggestion be adopted, junior or intermediate members to the number of six from each of the primary and secondary schools to he admitted to the club for one year free. On the motion of Mr. C. E. Brown, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr. H. M. Porter, who has been the club's auditor since its inception. Votes of thanks were accorded also to the press and to Messrs. Low.