SENIOR YACHT CLUB

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 780, 28 September 1929, Page 15

SENIOR YACHT CLUB

SQUADRON'S PROGRESS NEW LAUNCH ANCHORAGE There was a large attendance at the 58th. annual meeting of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron held last evening. The commodore, Mr. W. P. Endean, presided. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the commodore

said the membership had grown steadily, and now stood at 503. The fact that so many belonged to the club spoke of tlie welfare of yachting. which was in a better condition than might be expected in post-war times. Racing had not been as good as in

some years on account of the light winds prevailing. The race for the T. M. Alexander Memorial Cup had been won by an old-time boat, the Ida. It was pleasing to see that an old boat could still win. Referring to the proposed week’s racing carnival, Mr. Endean said he felt the time had come when such a scheme should be seriously considered. A race such as the annual ocean contest to Russell or to Tauranga was all right, but it was a hard run up and a hard run back, with little chance of the easier side of yachting. He would like to see courses laid off Te KLume or Kawau, the racing done during the daylight and the evenings devoted to the social side of the sport. The argument against the proposal was that it might be difficult for crews to get away on leave at the same time. Commenting on the balance-sheet, the commodore congratulated the club on its very sound finances. The excess of income over expenditure was £177. The luncheon room scheme had been one of the most successful projects undertaken by the club, a profit of £57 having been made during the year. A sum of £5 had iJeen voted to the reserve fund and £SO to the building fund. HOBSON BAY ANCHORAGE The commodore paid a tribute to members, particularly Mr. George Stitt, who had endeavoured to have part of Hobson Bay retained as a boat harbour. It was likely that the bridge in the Waterfront Road would be raised to admit launches through the embankment to an anchorage inside.

The present position regarding the bridge, said Mr. J. B. Johnston, a member of the Harbour Board, was that the question had been before the board last Tuesday and at his request was adjourned until he could obtain yachtsmen’s opinions. It was proposed to raise the bridge so that a clearance" of five feet at high-water spring tide was possible. There would be ample room for launches fitted with hinged masts, but it was quite impossible so to raise the bridge as to permit of the passage of boats having fixed masts.

Mr. Endean congratulated Mr. C. Wild oil his decision to build a large keel yacht. The commodore hoped others would be inspired to do the same.

The commodore referred to tlie loss the squadron had suffered by the deaths of Messrs. J. L. R. Bloomfield, I-I. J. Whitley and H. P. R. Foster. Members stood in silence as a mark Mr. John Alexander, who was a member in the eaxliest days of the club, spoke of tlie time when members assembled under a iamp-post to plan their racing. Later a barn of a place was obtained until, good quarters could be acquired. It was largely due to the efforts of Mr. Charles Murdoch, a great optimist, and a few others that the club had been placed on a firm footing. Mr. Alexander was glad to say that yachting was one of the few sports today where money did not count. Whether the'prize was large or small yachtsmen would sail to win or lose. He spoke eloquently of the members who had died during the year. Referring to the proposed week’s racing, Mr. Alexander said that in the old days there was a movement to conduct a similar programme at Matiatia, but it fell through owing to lack of funds. He hoped the present scheme would come to early fruition.

Officers for the year are:—Commo- j do re, Mr. W. P. Endean; vice-commo- I dore, Mr. X. L. Macky; rear-comma- j dore, Mr. J. H. Prater; secretary, Mr. | J. C. Hewson; assistant secretary, Mr. J. L. Souter; treasurer. Mr. A. M. Gilmour: honorary solicitor. Mr. John Alexander; hon. auditors. Messrs. G. D. Beery and J. Kotheringham: treasurers, Messrs. C. T. Trevithick and M. K. Braffin; general committee, Messrs. M. K. Braffin. A. X. Buder, ' H. J. C. George, A. R. Hodgson, 11. j R. Hume, A S. Miller, G. McKenzie, j E. IT. Xortlicroft, J. O. Owen and R. I j B. Wilson. A WOODEN FOLDING BOAT The enjoyment of every holiday will be advanced by the Stowaway Folding Boat, which is now on the market. This is a serviceable craft that can be carried on the running board of a car, opened ready, for use in 15 seconds, and i can carry two persons for sea or river, duck shooting, fishing or pleasant | cruising. The boat is solidly made of | stitched mahogany.