GISBORNE ROWING CLUB.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2592, 28 August 1909, Page 3

GISBORNE ROWING CLUB.

THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING. There was a very large attendance at the thirty-fifth annual meeting of the Gisborne Rowing Club, which was held in the Cosmopolitan Club \ lastevening. Mr. W. B. Miller, VicePresident, occupied the chair. The annual report of the committee congratulated members on the position of the club and stated that the membership shows a large increase on the previous season, and is now.'the largest in the history, of the club, consisting of 100 active and honorary and 20 life members. A perusal of the accompanying balance-sheet showed the financial position of the club to be highly satisfactory, the balance of assets over liabilities standing at £535 0s 9d. The main item of expenditure during the season had been the purchase of six new racing boats and two pleasure boats, -which cost the club £204 11s; and a large amount had also been spent in necessary repairs and improvements to the boat house and plant, totalling £34 0s lOd. The total receipts were £202, made up as shown in the statement of receipts and expenditure. The bank overdraft now stands at £B9 4s 3d, which is practically the exact amount placed before the last halfyearly meeting (£9O). The committee also stated that they estimated that the overdraft should be reduced during the coming season to at most £SO, and they saw no reason why this could not he done if the affairs of the club are handled judiciously. During the season two pleasure boats were obtained from Messrs Bailey and Lowe, Auckland, and the two old ones disposed of. Tho full list of the plant now stands as follows: —I Edwards light maiden clinker four, 2 Edwards practice maiden fours, 2 Norton practice four-oared tubs (convertible fixed and sliding seats, new), 2 Norton convertible double scull of pair oared boats with interchangeable seats (new), 2 Norton Practice Association scullers (new), I Norton practice sculler, 2 pleasure,; boats; total 12 boats. . Proceeding, the report stated that acting on Dr. Schumacner’s suggestion, a partition was erected between the new and old portions of the shed, and this has ensured greater safety of the plant. Dr Schumacher very generously donated £3 towards the cost of the partition. The thanks of the club are due to those gentlemen who, donated trophies to the club, viz.,Messrs. A. F. Kennedy, W. J. Hennessy, C. Morse, Chas. Buscke; and also to the many members and supporters' who contributed to the boat fund; and to the press for the excellent manner in which they reported on the club’s work for the year. During the season Mr. A. E.N. Smith, who has occupied the position of Hon. Treasurer for six years, resigned that office on amount of his removal to Wairoa. The committee wish to place on record their appreciation of Mr. Smith’s services during his long term of office. The committee also desired to thank Mr. W. Hackett for the great care and trouble he went to in training the representative crews and also expressed- gratitude to the committee of the Cosmopolitan Club for the kind use of their rooms on several occasions. _

The balance-shbet showed receipts to have been £202, the chief items of revenue being subscriptions £ll4 19s 6d, donations to boat fund £39 10s, entrance fees £lB 18s, entrance fees (races) £lO Bs, sale of old boats £B. The total expenditure was £291 4s 3d, the difference being made up by the bank overdraft of £Bb 4s 3d. The Chairman, in his ope mg remarks, referred to the fact that the Gisborne Rowing Club' was the oldest athletic institution in the town, and probably in the Dominion. ■•■■' The following • new members we* e elected :—Messrs G. Pollock, 11. AJrir, R. V. Gully, R. Warren, 4. Hampton, C. Perry, J. Rutherford, R. Aldler, R. Wheeler, - Dwyer, E. (’notes. Messrs W. R. Brady and J. fe. AVauehop forwarded their resign itions as members of the club. Tt was reso.'’red that the resignations be accepted w t-h regret, and that a letter he sent to Air. Wauchop expressing the gratitude of the club for his past services. It was also decided that a letter op sympathy with Mr. B. J. Bright in his unfortunate accident be forwarded to him. ’ , , In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman congratulated the member upon the excellent financial position of the club. He reviewed the history of the club for many years, and congratulated the present secretary and treasurer on the completeness of the information in both report and balance-sheet. Mr. G. J. Hamilton- seconded the motion, and gave those present a short resume of the past season’s working. He claimed that the season had be;.- 1 a most successful one, .and felt proud of the progress that had been made. The motion, on being put to the meeting, was adopted unanimously. The election of office-bearers fqr the ensuing season was then proceeded with as follows:—President, Mr. A. F. Kennedy (re-elected); vice-presidents, Messrs T. J. Adair, W. J. Hennessy, W. Miller, R. D. B- Robinson, AV. F. Ode Wall; W. ■D. Lysnar -(all- re-electeD; captain, Mr. C. J. Hamilton; licecaptain, Mr. W. Johnston; hon. sccie- ■

tary, Mr. D. Cowan (re-elected); hon. treasurer, Air. A. M. Coleman (re-; elected); hon. assistant-treasurer, Mr. C. M: Sargisson- (re-elected); hou audi-tors,-Messrs L. B. Sherriff and R. D. B. Robinson; committee, Messrs L. F. Williams, C v W. Muir, G. Rowe, G. li. Puflett, J. M. Curtis, E. S winner bon. In; accordance with motion, Mr. G. J. Hamilton moved- —“That rule 6 be amended by deleting the words :ui Is in the 4th and sth lines, and substituting therefor £1 65.” Mr. G. H. Puflett seconded the notion. which,- after discussion, was lost by 23 votes to 22. Mr. Hamilton also moved—“ That a .sub-committee be set up to revise the rules of the club, with a view of having the club incorporated.” Mr. D. Cowan seconded the mo.jon, which was carried ; Messrs Johnsco i, Williams, arid the mover being appointed the committee. Air. Hamilton further moved—•• i’ijat the necessary proceedings be taken to register the’ club under the Tncoraerated Societies Act, 19Q8.’ ” . Mr. C. W. Muir seconded the i otion, which was carried. Another motion by Air. Hamilton was as follows—“ That it be a recommendation to the incoming committee that they take steps to have the rules governing the Licensed Victuallers’ Challenge Shield competitions altered so as to allow the Uawa and Wairoa Clubs to compete for same.” Mr. Cowan seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. On the suggestion of Mr. C. W. Muir, it was resolved as a recommendation to the new committee that a smoke concert be held on the night of the opening of the rowing season. The old Entertainment Committee was re-elect-ed. and the names of Al'essrs C. Adair and H. McLernon were added. On the motion of Air. W. Johnston, seconded by Air. Williams, it was decided that it be a recommendation to the new committee that an entrance fee of 2s 6d per member be ©barged in connection with the races for the President’s and Dr. Schumacher’s trophies. The secretary referred to several matters pertaining to the good conduct of the' members, the care of boat© and plant, and also better shed conveniences.

The Chairman announced that Air. C.. W.' Muir had donated a silver cup for competition to the club. A. vote of thanks to the outgoing officers, the Cosmopolitan Club, and to the chairman, concluded the meeting.