CANTERBURY ROWING CLUB.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 84, 7 September 1874, Page 3

CANTERBURY ROWING CLUB.

The annual general meeting of this club was held on last Saturday evening, at Warner’s Commercial Hotel. There was a very large attendance of members, and on the motion of Mr J. H. Herdson the Rev E. A. Lingard was voted to the chair. The minutes of the last general meeting were read and confirmed. The following annual report, brought up by the committee, was read : “ Your committee have great pleasure in submitting to the members of the club their fourteenth annual report. The number of members now on the roll exceeds that of any previous season, and your committee have no doubt that the additional boats ordered from Salter, and which are shortly expected to arrive, will be the means of adding to the roll. The boats at present in possession of the club consist of one six-oared, six four-oared, five pairs, and one pleasure boat. Those ordered from Salter are two pairs, one sculling boat, and one pleasure boat, making a total of seventeen boats, capable of seating about seventy members, which should thus lessen the chances of disappointment members may have experienced during previous seasons in getting a place in a boat. Your committee therefore hope th it with such ample provision for practice during the coming season, the members will not show that general apathy with regard to boating matters which prevailed to so great an extent last season. The treasurer’s report annexed will show that the finances of the club are now in a favorable condition, considering the large expenditure incurred, and your committee hope that the money has been expended in a manner satisfactory to the members. It is with much regret that your committee have to notice that the amount expended in repairs of boats last season greatly exceeded that of any previous year. This expenditure was in a great measure occasioned through the extreme carelessness of a few of the members of the club whose names are known. The committee, in calling attention to this subject, hope that nothing further will be required to deter those members from a repetition of such conduct. The scratch matches held on the Avon last season proved a great success, and it is hoped they will be resumed during the ensuing season ; as apart from the enjoyment and amusement they afford to the members of the club, they are the only means of testiugtheirpowers as oarsmen, and are a guide to the selection of representative crews for the interprovincial and other matches. In conclusion, your committee wish to place on record their hearty thanks to Mr B. C. Mounier (latehon. sec. to the club), now absent on a trip to England, for the time, care, and attention he has given to the affairs of the club for many years, and to the promotion of boating matters generally in the province.” The balance sheet showed the receipts for the season 1873-4 to have been £263 12s 2d, and the expenditure (exclusive of small balance at the bank) £263 12s 2d. Assets — balance in bank, 3d ; estimated value of club property, £550, Liabilities —£100 to Union Bapk of Australia, on account of temporary advance. The chairman here apologised for the absence of Mr Denham, the treasurer, who was unwell. On the motion of Mr George Stead, seconded by Mr Guudry, the report and balance sheet were received, and on the motion of Mr Garrick, seconded by Mr Collins, they were adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing twelve months then took place. Mr A, P. N. Blakiston moved, and ’Mr J. Smith seconded, the nomination of Mr R. J. S. Harman as president, which was unanimously carried. Mr J. Smith regretted to learn that Mr Herdson would not be able to fill the position of captain this year, and he had very great pleasure in nominating that gentleman for the office of vice-president. Mr Turnbull seconded the nomination of Mr Herdson, which was unanimously agreed to. On the motion of Mr Thomas, seconded by Mr Sclanders, Mr A. F. N. Blakiston was elected captain of the club. The following officers were also elected : Secretary, Mr M. J. Kilgour ; treasurer, Mr B. Denham ; managing committee, Messrs Thomas, Sclanders, Garrick, S. S, Revans, T. Gordon, Templar, and Turnbull. Thirty-nine new members were proposed, and after a ballot had been taken were declared to be duly elected. Messrs Herdson and Blakiston were elected delegates to the Canterbury United Boating Club, Mr Collins desired to make a few remarks. He considered that a paid custodian should be appointed to look after the boats, as they had been shamefully used last season, to necessitate the expenditure of so much money in repairs, Mr Bowron would support the proposition for a paid custodian. They could get a man to act in that position for £75 a year, and if were necessary to raise the money by putting their hands into their pockets, it would pay them better to do so. Mr Herdson said this question was thoroughly discussed at the general meeting held last year ; and it was then found that the club could not spare more than £3O for such a purpose. They tried to get the other clubs to join them in having a paid custodian,

but they refused to contribute for that purpose. The club, however, with its present addition of members, was now in a different position, and he merely made these remarks to show that this matter had been thoroughly gone into before. Mr Davie considered that this might well be left in the hands of the committee. [Hear, hear.] Mr Thomas said that the property of the club had deteriorated in value last year to the extent of £SO through the gross carelessness of members. £45 14s 5d had been expended in connection with the boats, and out of that amount he believed that £3O had been spent in repairs alone, occasioned through the carelessness of members. He would support the proposition for having a paid custodian. Mr J. Smith would like to know if (he man was to be placed as a sort of constable over members, and whether he was to be considered a better judge of injuries done to boats than the members of the committee? Mr Stead quite agreed with the necessity for having a paid custodian, but he did not think that the club was in a position to pay £75. -He would move “ that £SO be placed at the disposal of the committee for that purpose, and that a subscription list be opened to supplement that sum.” Mr Revans seconded the motion, and believed that the boats were knocked about most in the evenings. Mr Herdson, as captain of the club for many years, would tell the meeting that the greatest damage to the boats was doueduriug the day time by members going down and launching the boats themselves. Mr Smith objected altogether to a man being placed there to watch and report members. Mr Herdson would like to mention that he had seen a person that evening before coming to the meeting who would act as custodian from six o’clock in the morning to eight in the evening and would, in addition, repair all injuries to the boats for £75 a year. Mr Read thought that as an expression had been made that evening on this matter, it would be sufficient for the guidance of the committee, and he would move as an amendment—“ That the question of a paid custodian be left in the hands of the committee.” Mr Smith seconded the amendment. After some further discussion, the amendment and resolution were put, and the former was declared to be carried. Mr Gordon moved—“ That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that accommodation for pair-oared boats be provided on the river Avon, above Lane’s mill, and that it be a recommendation to the committee lo carry out this object if found practicable.” There were a great number of members living in that direction, and he thought that it would be judicious to erect a shed there. Mr Stead seconded the motion with pleasure. Mr Collins opposed the motion, as he did not think the club was in a position to go to this expenditure. If a large number lived in that direction let them erect a shed, and the club would find them pair-oared boats. Mr Gordon remarked that about 40 members lived at the Upper Avon, and if this were not done the probability was that they would leave the club and start one themselves. Mr Thomas regretted that this threat had been held out; this was not the way to obtain what the proposer of the motion desired. Mr Herdson would like to mention that he presided at a meeting of the club when the same matter was considered, and he felt that from the result then arrived at the club was committed to the erection of a shed at the Upper Avon. The chairman said that what was wanted to be first arrived at was where the gentlemen who desired this motion carried wished to row; whether up towards Mr Hclraore’s place or down towards the Domain. He could speak positively as to the difficulty that would be experienced in getting over the shallow near the college. Some further discussion followed, after which the resolution was put and carried. Mr Thomas proposed—“ That a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to Mr J. H. Herdson, the late captain of the club, for the very great services rendered by him to the club.” Mr Bowron seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation. Mr Herdson, in reply, sincerely thanked the meeting for the warm manner in which the motion had been carried. He regretted that business duties would prevent him from taking the active part in the club that he had hitherto done, but if ever his services were requited, and the captain called on him, he would always be ready to do his best for the club. [Cheers.] A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close, HEATHCOTE ROWING CLUB. The annual general meeting of this club was held on Saturday evening last, at the Wharf Hotel, Woolston. There was a full attendance of members, Mr Bamford presiding. . . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, the hon sec read the annual report as follows — “ Your committee regret that, in consequence of the apathy of boating men in Canterbury during the past season, they have little to chronicle. Excepting the interprovincial, there was not a single regatta at which club outriggers could compete. At the commencement of the season, the club-four —Messrs H. H. Loughnan, G. A. Clark, W. L. Taylor, and J. W. Davis — commenced practice, but discontinued when they found that there would probably be no races in which to compete. Later in the season the Canterbury Rowing Club initiated a series of races among its own members, whereupon we challenged the Canterbury and Union Clubs to row a four-oared race—but neither club accepted the challenge. “ Bumping races were inaugurated by the U.C.B.C, on the Avon ; but after one heat (in which we gained a place) had been rowed, the races were postponed, and not resumed. The challenge cups won by us at the Christchurch Regatta, 1873, have not since been competed for, although a desire was expressed by us to try conclusions. An attempt was made by the H R.C. to get up a Heathcote Regatta, but was abandoned, partly because it was thought that it would interfere with the Interprovincial, and partly because there was little prospect of competition. We were unable to compete in the Interprovincial race, owing to the absence of one of the crew. “ During the past season a pair-oared and a sculling boat were purchased from Mr Verdon. Your committee would suggest that a pleasure boat and pair-oared outrigger be procured at as early a'date as possible. The

balance sheet now laid before you shows a liability of £53 18s 9d, which we fully anticipate will he paid during the ensuing season. As will seen from the custodian’s report the club property is in good order. Its value is £2lO. “In conclusion your committee are of "pinion that the practice of postponing races without satisfactory reason, which has been gaining ground in Canterbury, has had an injurious effect on boating in general, and trust that during the ensuing season such practice will be discontinued.” The report as read was receive! and adopted. The bon treasurer then read the balancesheet and a statement of assets and liabilities, from which it appeared that the property of the club was valued at £210; balance in hand, £4 ; subscriptions due, £8 9s ; total assets. £222 9s; liabilities, £53 18s 9d. It was explained that the debt was principally caused by expenditure of anature not likely to be required again, and that there was no doubt the club would be able to clear all its liabilities this season. The election of officers for the ensuing year then took place, as follows : President, Mr J. L. Coster ; vice-presidents, Messrs W. Montgomery, J. B. Williams and A. Duncan ; commodore, Mr F. Pavitt ; vice-commodore, Mr J. W. Davis; lion secretary, Mr. J. W. Davis ; bon treasurer, Mr C. F. S. Maundvell ; custodian, Mr H. A. Bamford ; committee, Messrs A. K. Pavit t, W, Mardon, G A. Clark, J. Coles, and H. H. Loughuan. Messrs F. Pavitt and J, W. Davis were re-elected as delegates to represent the club at the U.C.B.C, Mr J. W. Davis suggested that the season should be opened with a procession of boats and scratch races on the Heathcote. There was a capital mile course over which the events might take place. Mr Clark agreed with the suggestion of Mr Davis Even if they were left to themselves, without assistance from Christchurch, they could get up a very good afternoon’s sport, but he anticipated that the Christchurch rowing men would gladly assist. A discussion ensued, in which Messrs Mardon, Pavitt, Maundrell, Scott, and others, took part, and ultimately it was decided to open the season on the Heathcote, the details and date being left to the committee. It was announced that the local dramatic company were getting up an entertainment in aid of the club funds. Votes of thanks were unanimously passed to the pastofficers for their services, and to the Avon and Canterbury Bowing Clubs for their kindness in affording shed room to the Heathcote Bowing Club boats while in Christchurch. A vote of thauks to the chairman terminated the proceedings. UNION BOWING CLUB. The annual general meeting of the members of this club was held on Saturday evening last at Warner’s Commercial Hotel. Mr Glassford occupied the chair, and there was a fair attendance. The hon sec, Mr Gain, then read the following report—- “ Your committee anticipated at the opening of the past season, being able to bring before you a flattering account of the club’s doings by reason of the favorable circumstances under which the season commenced, viz, the club being in a flourishing financial position, and the river being cleared from weeds ; but except at the opening day the club has not been represented in any aquatic event worthy of notice; this is attributed partly to the perfection now required to ensure any chance of success at regattas (the time for preparation not being at the disposal of its members ) Also, that the selection of crews at the Interprovincial Begatta being in the hands of the U. 0.8.0, none of this club’s members were selected in the united crew. It is a matter for regret that the apathy displayed this season has continued so long, as it is not to be expected that those who do not exert themselves hould receive the support of the public, who at all times have shewn great readiness to assist in carrying out any project for the encouragement of rowing—an exercise the most beneficial of all and well worthy of being thoroughly carried out. “ Although the club has not distinguished itself by any brilliant performance, it has had a deal to contend against in the absence of a coach to instruct those desirous of improving themselves; and it is to be hoped that members next season will take care to maintain the character the club has hitherto held of being one of the most active; and although small in numbers, that should be no reason for neglecting rowing altogether. “ For the purpose of encouraging young members, your committee ordered a pairoared boat from Harrison of Lyttelton, and one just landed from Salter of Oxford, so that those wishing to practice may always find the moans at their disposal. “ The funds of the club are in a very satisfactory condition, as annexed statement from treasurer will show. The members have not fallen off financially, though it is to be hoped they will more readily avail themselves of their property than hitherto. “ Your committee cannot separate without conveying their thanks to the commodore, Mr Glassford, for the unceasing care displayed by him at all times to further the interests of the club. They would also desire to call the attention of members to the custodian’s report as regards damage done to some of the boats, more especially the pair-oared Kelpie, and to express a hope that every member of the club will do his best to prevent damage through carelessness to its properties. The committee have to remind members that the late commodore, Rev J. O’B, Hoare, has presented a prize, value £5, for pair-oared race, and that those who intend competing are advised to commence practice immediately, as it is intended to pull off this match early in the season.” 'The report as read was adopted. The treasurer’s report was submitted, showing the receipts for the past season to have been £75 17s lid, and the expenditure for the same period, £42 5s 9d ; leaving a balance in the hands of the treasurer of £B3 12s 2d. The value of (he club property was stated as being £2OO. The next business was the election of officers for the ensuing year, and the following were selected : —President, Mr G. Gould ; vice-presidents, Messrs 0. G. Bowen, N. G. Glassford, and IV. Montgomery ; commodore, Mr H. H. Hennah ; vice-commodore, Mr C. O. Bowen ; treasurer, Mr G. Jameson ; hon sec, Mr H. Gain ; custodian, Mr G. R. Barnes ; committee, Messrs Crosbie, Monson, Sharlaud, Gunderson, and Paasche. Several new members were elected, and the meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman.