WHAKATANE ROWERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 8, 21 September 1945, Page 5

WHAKATANE ROWERS

ANNUAL MEETING OF CLUB

FUTURE PROSPECTS OUTLINED

The annual general meeting of the Wlia'katane Rowing Club took place on Wednesday evening a representative number of rowers including several ex-members of the armed forces being present. Opening the meeting, the President Mr C. Hay war d extended a welcome to those members- of the club who had served overseas and were present that nighty for thle first time l'or a number of years. Club he said, had a proud record of service overseas. There were however, some who would not return. At his the meeting stood in silence to the memory of those who had made the supreme sacrifice. Speaking to the returned men, Mr Hayward said that when they had left for the rowing club shed was- in a very delapidatcd condition. It had been hoped to carry out repairs, but the war had intervened and made this impossible. Time 'went on, and the shed gradually fell into such a state that something had to be done to keep it from falling down altogether. A meeting of a number of interested businessmen in the town was toeld # and by sufficient money was raised to put the shed, in the excellent order it was today. At that time, a committee was also formed to coach some of the younger hoys and these responding very well, f formed a solid basis for the club to continue on for the remainder of the war years. Financially the club was, in a sound position j havi ing a credit balance of £70 with no - liabilities.

Continuing the president said that lie would like to see. the members who had returned from active service take executive positions in the club. When the ?iu-b was first started, many difficulties had had to be overcome, in the way of delapidated equipment and lacls of finance. Now, the gear was in good condition and the linances were sound. The club would benefit if returned men took and he urged that they do so f carrying on from where they had been forced to leave off.

Election of Officers The election of oll'icers took place as under: — Patron: Mr 13. S. Barry. President: Mr C. Hayward (reelected) . Vice-presidents: Messrs) Lodge, Rivett Bremner, Atkinson Price j E. Ramson, C. Tippett, All' Moore, Kingsley-Smith, Henderson, S. Armstrong Brabant Snr. ' Club Captain: Mr B. Norman. Vicecaptain: Mr J, Gattsche. Secretary: Mr R. Thorn. Treasurer: Mr R. Morpeth. Hon. Auditor: Mr L. R. Spring. Management Committee: Messrs Debreceny Dines, King, D. Stewart Dent' Cutler Fisher. ' ' ' 1945-46 Season. it was decided to leave the date for the commencement of the season in the hands of the committee. in order that the equipment could be put in order as soon as. possible, it was resolved to form a working bee to meet each Sunday morning at the shed. The main work requiring to be done before the season opened concerned two of the boats, which needed sandpapering and duluxing and the riggers adjusting. Subscriptions were fixcid at Is for senior members and 10s Gd for junior for this purpose junior members being delined as those 18 years of age and under. Stating that the club no\v had some surplus money in hand, Mr J. Gattselie suggested that a pair oar and a double scull (convertable) be procured. Owing to the price whieh would be demanded for such equipment at the present tune, it was resolved to leave the purchase for a year or two ~ but it was decided to make application to the Auckland Association for a new set of tubular oars. It is understood that importation of such oars from Australia will commence in the near future. The question of honorary members was discussed and it was ascertained that such members paid a subscription and.although not permitted to compete in any events, were, with the. permission of the

Club or at the invitation of any other rower ? permitted to use the club's equipment at any time. Concluding the meeting Messrs. Bert Norman and Don Stewart on behalf of those, members of the club who had served overseas thanked those older rowers who had kept the club alive and also contfratu- . > ° lated the young members on their , successful efforts to keep the flag "'Hying.