STAR BOATING CLUB.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4540, 8 October 1875, Page 2

STAR BOATING CLUB.

* The following report was read at the meeting of this club on Wednesday evening : Me, Chairman and GENTLEJfES,—In presentingto you r my report and the treasurer's balance-sheet for the year ending September 30, I should preface my remarks upon this occasion by reminding you that at the annual meeting last year, although the accounts showed a debit balance of £IOO, consequent upon the erection of new sheds, with further liabilities of £2O upon this account, I asserted that we were in as sound a position as formerly, as our assets had proportionately increased by the acquisition of new plant and better accommodation, and that you adopted the suggestion that we should not be too eager to reduce the debt, so as to limit the operations of the club; but that the number of boats should be still further increased, in order to meet the requirements of members.

I have now the pleasure to report that this measure has proved highly satisfactory in results, and that, notwithstanding the loss of the new whaleboat by breakage at Nelson, tin inconsiderable prizes taken by our crews at the Wellington Regatta, the heavy liabilities with which we commenced the year, and other circumstances tending to diminish our funds, we have added three useful boats (two of a very superior class) to our fleet, increased the effective plant by repairs and new oars, and reduced the total debt upon the past year's transactions to £3O. At the same time the number of membera has steadily increased, the total number being now ninety-one, as against eighty at this date last year, the number who reside in Wellington being seventy-nine, as against sixty-five last year. I present with this report a complete list showing the position of members from the foundation of the club, upon the non-proprietary basis, to the present time. Yoxi will remember that at the last annual meeting ! you were good enough to relieve me of my duties of treasurer, appointing Mr. John Gandy to that office, and I think, looking at our present satisfactory financial position, and at the carefully-prepared balance-sheet placed in my hands for presentation to vou this evening, you cannot fail to observe the faithful and efficient manner in which that officer has discharged his duties. It is to be regretted that throughout the last rowing season a considerable falling off was observed iu both energy and power on the part of our members : but I trust that this may bo attributed in some measure to a lull in the rowing interest which was apparently common to nearly all the clubs in the colony, and for the additional reason that we were overmatched in boats. I confidently hope, however, that with the latter difficulty entirely removed, the ensuing season will bring a full return of that deliberate organisation in training, and that true love of conquest at the regattas which characterised our proceedings upon the water in former years. It should be highly gratifying to lis to learn that new rowing clubs are being founded in other parts of the colony Since last year one has been formed at Timaru one at Greymouth, and one at Napier, the latter starting with some eighty members, so that before long we may hope to see another general re-e-ittahekl here upon a larger scale than that of 1873. With our present fleet of boats, supplemented by racinc boats ordered, and with a good choice of men for training, we should be able to compete successfully at any regatta in the colony; but, of course, success, as I have often reminded you, depends entirely upon systematic- practice and constant attention to the rules of rowing, whether in training or in taking ordinary eiercise : and ft is important that a sense of the necessity for this should pervade the whole club, as, putting the question of racing upon one side, the pleasure of rowing is infinitely enhanced when the men and the boat and the oars all work harmoniously together. I am very glad to observe that returning interest iu this noblest of exercises is already evidenced by the present orderly condition of the sheds and the club's property, and I heartily hope that this interest may be maintained and increased, so that neit year's re port may record a continuation of that general pros perity which has been unfailing since I have had til honor to be associated with the club's affairs. Oliver Wakefielb, Hon