CANTERBURY BOWING CLUB.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2054, 23 September 1880, Page 3

CANTERBURY BOWING CLUB.

The adjourned annual meeting of the Canterbnry Rowing Olub was held at the Commercial Hotel last evening. There was a good attendance of members, though not so large aa on the previous occasion. Mr Jj. M. Olhvier (captain of the club), was elected to the chair.

A letter was read from Mr T. Douglas, acknowledging the Becretary'B letter, intimating that he had been elected a life member of the club, and thanking members for the honor they had oonferied upon Lim. Ho also enclosed a cheque for two guineas, as a contribution towards the funds of the club. Mr Blakiston remarked that it had been intended at last meeting to propose another life member, and it would be aa well to take advantage of the present opportunity. Ho had great pleasure in proposing Mr Denham to be a life member. He had been long connected with the club, and was still on the books, although he did not now use any of the club property, or take advantage of his membership. Mr J. O. Jones seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. Mr A. Dunbar was elected an ordinary member of the club.

The next business was the election of a general committee of management for the ensuing year, which resulted as follows : Messrs J. O. Jones, A. B. Pavitt, R. D. Thomas, Thomas Taylor, J. J. Collins, J. Davidson, and P. P. White. The election of a racing committee was then proceeded with. Mr J. O. Jones said he thought it necessary to make a remark upon this matter. He hoped that the members would bo careful to eleot the very best men for the position, and then abide by their decisions in the matter of racing. He offered these observations particularly on account of an important petition that had been got up in reference to the late committee, that petition having been signed hy some persons who were ignorant of the subject matter of it, and had acknowledged as muoh. He considered the petition, which set forth that the club had been indifferently represented at race meesings, as a gross insult on the committee, and he trusted that in future members would, before signing a petition, be careful to ascertain to what they were subscribing their names. For himself, if placed upon the committee, he should expect his decisions to be abided by. Mr Blakiston was of opinion that the racing committee should not be composed of men who were likely to take part in rowing matches themselves. Mr Davis held a different opinion. He thought a man who was to take part in a race would be likely to get the best men with him. The following gentlemen were then elected a racing committee to assist the captain, namely:—Messrs J. O. Jones and J. W. Davis. The Chairman reminded the meeting that it was usual on such occasions to elect delegates to the United Canterbury Boating Club. Messrs J. It. Mellish and J. O. Jones were re-elected delegates in accordance with the above suggestion. This concluded the ordinary business. Mr Paul drew attention to the rule relating to the calliDg of special meetings of the olub, the matter having rather seriously affeoted him of late. He suggested that the rule might be so amended as to prevent the possibility of special meetings being called frequently on trivial subjects. The number of members, for instance, who had power to demand a special meeting might be increased from ten to twenty, and a deposit of two guineas might be determined on to be paid by those requesting a meeting, as a kind of guarantee. A brief discussion took place, in the course of which exception was taken to the suggestion as to a deposit of two guineas. Mr Turner characterised it as arbitrary. Mr Paul pointed out that he had only brought the matter forward to elicit discussion.

After somo further remarks, Mr Paul gave notice of motion to amend Bule 17. A discussion arose on the question of challenging. Mr Hawkes remarking that the resolution passed last year did not appear to be satisfactory.' The Chairman pointed out that the by-law was framed with the object of strengthening the hands of the racing committee. Mr Hawkes moved that it be a recommendation to the committee to amend the role, so as omit all reference to a money deposit. Mr Trischler moved an amendment that the by-law stand aa printed. The original motion by Mr Hawkes was carried.