LYTTELTON BOATING CLUB.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 96, 21 September 1874, Page 3

LYTTELTON BOATING CLUB.

A meeting of this club was held on Friday eve ning last. On the motion of Mr Carder, seconded by Mr Young, Mr Packard took the chair, and the minutes of last meeting were read. A circular was also read that had been sent to the members of the club. The chairman would like to ask if any member had any objection to anything in the minutes. Mr Eyes said that Mr Harrison had stated that an amount was due to him. The secretary stated that it was owed by the Amalgamated Club, not the Lyttelton Boating Club, and Mr Young confirmed it. The Kev F. Pember stated that the debt was incurred before the amalgamation took place. The secretary said that the affair had been duly advertised, but Mr Harrison had not sent in any claim. It was moved by Mr Bolt, and seconded by Mr Rich—“ That as ho !had no claim sent in at the proper time, it should not be paid.” Carried. The minutes were then confirmed. The treasurer (Mr Ward) then read the balance sheet of the late club, from which it appeared that there was a balance to the credit of the club of £7B 11s 2d. It was moved by Mr Carder, seconded by Dr McDonald, that ,the report as read bo adopted. Carried. The chairman said the next business was fo decide what was to he done with the surplus fund at their disposal. On the motion of Mr Rich, ten minutes were allowed for free discussion on this subject. At the expiration of that time, Mr Packard stated that he hoped it was understood that whatever decision was arrived at by those present would be final. [Hear, hear.] Mr Carder said that he understood they were called there to-night to decide what should be done with the surplus money. He had opposed the breaking up of the old boating club. He did not think the place was able to support a yachting club ; it had failed to support the boating club, and he

did not see how it could support such a much more expensive matter as the proposed yacht club. He would be glad to see a yachting club formed, but did not see how with £7B I Is 2d they could start such a concern. It would cost at least £BOO. If it were started it would cost at least £2O each, and he did not see how it was to be carried out. Disagreements would also ensue, as many would say 'hey wanted to go out when the 7 could not do so, as necessarily the number of yachts would be limited. He begged to move tnat the amount to the credit of the late club be divided among the members. This was seconded by Mr A. W. Parsons. Mr Ward then rose to move an amendment running as follows; —“ That it is desirable that the balance in hand be used as a nucleus for the formation of a yacht club, and that the advantage to members of the late club he that their subscription and entrance fees to the yacht club be considered as "aid up for the first year, and that a sub-committee be appointed to report on the subject in three weeks, for the purpose of considering the probable cost of yachts, &c., and working of the club.” In moving this be would like to say a few words. Mr Carder had stated they were not in a position to start a yacht club, but be thought they had a comfortable nucleus. The old members were to be considered as members for the first year, and at least fifty gentlemen from Christchurch would join the club, and pay £5 each, which would give £250, which, added to the £7B in hand, would give a very respectable sum to start with. They all knew that Lyttelton w as not a place for pulling. Mr Bolt was happy to second Mr Ward’s proposition. A yachting club bad been successfully carried out at Kaiapoi. They should not have too large yachts, and should take care not to make it too exclusive, as that would render it unpopular. Mr Ryes would like to say a few words on the subject. They would have plenty of support from Gnristchureh, and could get yachts, be thought, at a reasonable price. Ho would rather see his share of the funds go to some charitable institution, and lie thought the meeting were of the same opinion —[hear hear]—than have them returned to him. They must make a small beginning, but would go on increasing y**ar by year. If proper committees were chosen, there need be no disagreements. They had a good sum at. their command, why fritter it away by dividing it. Mr Rich stated that the reason the boating club had declined was that outriggers now in fashion were unsuitable for pulling in the harbor. The boating club broke up from those in use now in other places being unsuitable for Lyttelton. The club need not own yachts, the larger ones at home did rot, and then again they did not want vessels of a large size, but those of five or ten tons. They might purchase whaleboats suitable for the harbour. If every one would put their shoulders to wheel they might get a good yacht club. There were at least six yachts in the province to compete in a match, and in Auckland, a place not by any means so prosperous as Canterbury, there had been a yacht club for many years. Dr McDonald did not agree with Mr Carder in wishing to divide the money, but he thought they should begin by getting whaleboats, that could either be pulled or sailed in, and in time they might purchase yachts. Mr Ward stated that several gentlemen absent were in favor of a yacht club, and read letters to that effect. Mr Carder stated that he was not against the proposed yacht club ; he had res Ived to make the proposition to test the meeting, hut he was glad, from the feeling expressed, to find the proposed club was likely to he a success. He would, with the permission of the meeting, withdraw his resolution. On being put, the meeting refused to allow Mr Carder to withdraw his resolution. Mr Packard said that he was unable to attend the winding up meeting of the Lyttelton Boating Club, but he had written a long letter proposing a yacht club she dd be formed. He was strongly in favor of yacht club, and also thought that light whale boats were more suitable for the harbor than others. He had asked on a former occasion Captain Gibson to define what a whale boat was. The first boat the Lyttelton club possessed was the old Brasher, and he concurred with Mr Rich in saying that as light boats came into fashion, the club fell through, as light boats were unsuitable for their rough water. He quite agreed with Dr McDonald and Mr Young as to having light whale boats. He had canvassed the matter of a yacht club in Christchurch, and found that some time back Mr Hcrdson and Mr Glassford and others, were strongly in favor of such an institution, and Messrs Aynsley, Hawkins, Cameron, Cunningham, and others now absent were also in favor of the proposed yacht club. In another light, the Christchurch clubs would not attend their regattas, and a resolution had been parsed by the Canterbury Club that in future no boats be entered for the Lyttelton Regatta. They could support yachts in Akaroa and Dunedin, and surely they could do so in Lyttelton. As to the management, he would suggest their officers be appointed that evening. 0 They could not start without at least £5 5s h«‘ing paid by outsiders, old members to bo considered free to the end of the season. Mr Ward’s amendment was then put and carried, and a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Hawkins, Packard, Rich, Young, Eyes, Ward, McDonald. Aynsley, Bolt, Carder, and Cameron were appointed to arrange matters, and report to a meeting in thiee weeks, Mr Ward was elected as secretary, pro tern, and Mr Packard as treasurer, Mr Carder moved that the secretary of the late club, Mr Ward, hand to Mr Packard the balance of £7B 11° 2d funds in hand. Mr D’Authveau seconded the resolution, and it was carried. Mr Young stated that he would forgive a debt owed to him by the late club. [Cheers] . A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.