AQUATICS.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1877, 28 February 1880, Page 3

AQUATICS.

OTAGO v. CANTERBURY. The four-oared race between crews seleoted from the Otago and Canterbury Rowing Clubs *ook place last evening on the Estuary. The course selected was two miles and a-half, over the old interprovincial champion water. The course, as on many other previous occasions of a similar nature, waß marked out by Mr J. D.iy, with his accustomod accuraoy. The event, judging from the large attendance of visitors, had evidently excited considerable interest outside boating circles, as traps, horsemen, and pedestrians were present in large numbers. The hills fringing the Estuary were dotted with spectators who, from this coign of vantage, had a capital view of the race from start to finish. The contestants were singularly fortunate in the weather, as the evening was remarkable calm, and the water as smooth as a millpond, thus affording the rival crews every opportunity of displaying their prowess. Mr Prank Pavitfc acted as starter, Mr P. H. Digby as umpire, and Mr H. Thomson as judge. The Canterbury crew were somewhat the most fancied of the two, though to a great extent the Otago crew were dark horses. Of the Canterbury crew Nob. 2 and 3 were in practice considered the weak points in the boat, a prediction which to a great extent was verified in the race, notably as regards No. 2, whose bolt was shot at an early period. In the Canterbury boat bow and stroke worked like lions for the honor sf their club, and for the last half mile had all the rowing to do. The Otago crew, though uneven in their physique, had trained to a high degree of perfection, and stepped into their boat as fib as fiddles. The stroke of the Otago men de;erves a word of praise, as not only had he a number of difficulties to contend with in getting a crew together, but he also displayed generalship of no mean order in rowing the race. From the start he had his men well in hand, and though he had no occasion to call on them, still the way he steadied them in the rush of the start, augured well for his success aa a stroke had occasion demanded any further generalship. In fact, he was the right man in the right place. Both the coxswains handled the yoke lines with credit to themselves —Dixon, who steered the Canterbury men, giving them the only opportunity in the race of closing the distance between them and their opponents. Respecting the style of rowing of the two crews, it may may be said that in their preliminary paddles the Canterbury men showed a trifle the best form. This, however, was not maintained during the race, as after the first mile had been covered the crew were all to pieces. We subjoin particulars of the race : Oiago Rowing Club— G. A. Fenwick, lOst, (bow) ; W. Roberts, lOst 61b (2) ; S. Turton, list 91b (3) ; W. a. Aspinall, list (stroke) ; A. McDonald, sst 91b (cox) 1 Ilyssus, C.R.O.—J. O. Jones, lOst Gib (bow) ; T. Taylor, lOst (2) ; J. R. Evans, lOst 91b (3) ; L. M. Ollivier, 13st (stroke) ;0. Dixon, Gst (cox) ... 2 Shortly after six o'clock Mr Pavitt despatched the two crews to a splendid Btart, the Otago men being the quickest to take the water, and at once assuming a lead. The stroke at this time was—Otago 38 and Canterbury 40. Before half a mile had been gone the visitors held a clear three lengths lead.whioh they maintained past the umpire's boat. Herejthe Otago'crewjwererowing.36, going well within themselves, the Canterbury men still keoping their stroke of 40, and already more or less in trouble. They maintained their respective positions until the turn near the fisherman's hut was reiched, where Dixon, by a bit of good steering, drew half a leugth on the Otago boat by steering close to the buoy boat, the Otago cox taking his crew rather wide. Here Ollivier made a spurt, which was answered to some extent by his crew, but failed to lessen the lea 1 held by the Otago men. Here the Canterbury men were rowing 39 and the Otago crew 32, and taking matters easily. From this out the race was never in doubt, the Otago men, despite the energetic efforts_ of Ollivier (stroke), and Jones (bow), paddling home victors by four lengths. Time —17mio. 20secs. The Otago men on getting out of the boat were heartily cheered by "he spectators. The two crews dined together in the evening at the Marine Hotel, Sumner, and the Otago men leave for Dunedin per excro;s today.

No. 3 BUILDING SOCIETY. The sixth annual meeting of shareholders in the No. 3 Building Society was held last evening in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lichfield street. Mr Pratt occupied the chair, and read the advertisement convening the meeting. The Chairman then read the minntes of the last annual meeting, which were confirmed. The annual report was read as follows*— The committee, in submitting the sixth annual report, congratulate the shareholders upon having passed through a very critical peried of depression and financial difficulty, withouthaving sustained any losses or material diminution of business. That such diminution as is shown by the statement of accounts and balance sheet annexed, has arisen solely from the extra cantion rendered necessary in conducting business during such an exceptional period, and not from any withdrawal of confidence in yonr society, is evident by reference to the same accounts; as, notwithstanding the number of shares withdrawn during the year amonnting to .£2605 owing to monetary pressure, the investment shares have increased from a' total of £11,821 to £12.925 during the year 1879. It will be necessary to elect three members of committee in place of Messrs. Cartman, Bowler, and Allison, who retire by ballot, but are eligible for re-election. Mesara. C. F. Money and W. E. McDougall have also been duly nominated as candidates for the same. Your committee have effected an equitable division of the net profits of the year as follows :—To each original share of six years' standing, interest £1 7s 2d and bonus 13s Gd; to each share of five years' standing, interest £1 0s 7d and bonus lis 3d ; to each share of four years' standing, interest 14s 6d and bonus 9s ; to each share of three years' standing, interest 8s 8d and bonus 6s 9d. A proportional amount being reserved for shares of shorter duration not entitled to allotment according to Rule 60. The total present value of the above shares will, therefore, be as follows :—Shares of six years' standing, £24 8s Id per share; shares of five years' standing, ,£l9 4s 5d per share ; shares of four years' standing, £l4los 8d per share ; shares of three years' standing, £lO 7s 2d per share. William Pratt, Chairman. The financial account for the year ending December 31st, 1879, showed the receipts to amount to £17,834 9s sd, and the disbursements for the corresponding period were £8216 13s lOd ; interest on overdraft at Bank, £lO5 13s lid ; withdrawals of shares, £2113 ; interest and bonus on shares, £492 10s 2d ; expenses of management, £339 3s Id; insurance premiums paid, £132 4s 9d ; paid on aceount of fire loss recovered, &c, £266 18s 2d; total £17,834 9a sd. The profit and loss account showed the balance profit to date to be £4410 14s lid. The balance-sheet exhibited the following items of liability:— On investment shares, £12,925 15s; special deposits, £8164 6s Id; interest accrued thereon on December 31st, 1879, £157 18s ; nmount held on fire loss recovered, £300; overdraft due to Bank, £167 6s 3d ; balance of profit and loss, £4410 14s lid. Total, £26,126 0s 3d. Assets—Amount of loans on mortgage, £26,032 0* lid; insurance arrears, £37 7s 3d; goods, viz., safe, rules, £55 18s lid ; cash in hand of stewards, 13s 2d ; total, £26,126 0s 3d.

The Chairman said the principal feature of the financial statement was a slight increase in the expenses of management, which had been occasioned by bringing the society under the operation of the Friendly Society's Act. Their operations had been somewhat limited, which had nevertheless left a fair margin of profit, and this was owing to the very trying crisis of the past year. A fair amount of business had nevertheless been done within the means of the society, and the bank overdraft materially reduced. He would move the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr M. Sandstein seconded the motion.

The Secretary explained that there was no system of making a reserve of so much per cent., but 25 per cent, was deducted from withdrawals, thus leaving a reserve fund. The motion was then put and carried. The next business was the election of three members of committee, to fill the vacancies created by the retirement of Messrs J. Cartman, F. O. Bowler, and H. Allison, which resulted in the re-election ef Messrs Cartman and Allison, and substitution of Mr O. F. Money in place of Mr Bowler. The business terminated with a vote of thanks to the chairman.