A New Racing Eight Required

Transcript

At the annual meeting of the Eton Excelsior R.C., on Monday last, at the Bridge House Hotel, Mr. A. H. Dyson initiated an interesting discussion on the reasons for non-success at up-river regattas, etc.  He said that from all the accounts he read of the races in which the Club took part last season, it would seem that the crews led for three-parts of the course, and were then overtaken.  He thought that the members ought to take longer rows at the beginning of the season, which would, he thought, largely obviate this state of affairs.

Mr. HOBBS supported these remarks.

Mr. HORLOCK said the Club were also handicapped by the fact that they required a new racing eight.  He thought they might issue an appeal for money to purchase a new eight.  They had not got a fast boat, and they had to rely on the present eight for the laurels of the Club.  With a new boat he thought they might gain more successes, which would be the means of attracting more members to the Club (applause).

Mr. CROFT said if they had a new boat it would certainly encourage the members to try and do better.  

Mr. HALLIGAN said he thought the Club required a little “gingering up.”  A number of the older members worked very hard during the season, but others did not assist them enough.

Mr. T. LUFF said he would also like to see a new boathouse.  There was a suitable site, he thought, at the island below the railway bridge.  The approach to the present premises was appalling.  He thought it might be possible to make a public appeal (applause).

Several present offered to subscribe to a fund for a new racing eight, and the matter was referred to the Committee.

The CHAIRMAN thanked Mr. Dyson for initiating the discussion, and also for presiding at the opening of the meeting.  He was now really the “father” of the Club, and he assisted them in every possible way (applause).

[A report of the business portion of the meeting is held over to next week, Ed.]

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