EERC Annual General Meeting 1928

Transcript

The chief topic discussed at the 78th annual general meeting of the members of the Eton Excelsior R.C., held at the Bridge House Hotel on Monday evening, was two schemes for the provision of a new boathouse.  No decision was arrived at, and an extraordinary general meeting of the Club is to be called in about a month’s time to consider the schemes.  Mr. A. H. Dyson was voted to the chair, and he was supported by Mr. A. M. L. Thomson (captain), Mr. V. H. Hobbs (vice-captain), Mr. L. Barrett (hon. secretary), and Mr. V. A. C. Wood (hon, treasurer).  There was a very good attendance of members.

The Annual Report

The HON. SECRETARY submitted the annual report, which, stated:-

The Committee have pleasure in presenting the 78th annual report.

ILLNESS OF SIR GEO. PETERS, J.P., PRESIDENT. – The members will be glad to hear that the health of the President has now greatly improved and that Sir George hopes once more to be amongst us in the coming season.

MEMBERSHIP  The membership has shown a decided improvement, there being 20 new members, making a total of 72 in all.

OPEN REGATTAS  Although the successes did not come up to expectations, there was an improvement on last year’s “blank.”  The races won were both by Maiden Crews – one at Cookham and the other at the Club Regatta.  The first eight showed improvement towards the end of the season, when heats were won at Staines and Maidenhead Regattas.  The Club was also, after an absence of many years, represented at Henley Royal Regatta, when a crew was entered for the Wyfold Fours.  Although this crew did not meet with success, it undoubtedly did the Club a lot of good to be once again present at Henley.  The following members represented the Club during the season: D. S. Andrews, C. L. Andrews, L. Barrett, G. W. Bayley, W. Bedford, W. Brown, F. W. Buck, E. C. N. Gower, N. Haines, V. H. Hobbs, S. W. L. R. Lucking, C. Matthews, A. J. Merson, R. C. Mills, G. H. Street, W. A. Street, R. Stickland, J. G. White, V. A. C. Wood, J. L. A. Watson, and H. E. Duggan.

CLUB RACES  Successful crews were as follows:- Devereux Fours: N. Haines, W. A. Street, E. C. N. Gower, J. G. White (stroke).  “Robert Wm. King” Cup: E. C. N. Gower, W. A. Street, F. W. Buck, R. C. Mills (stroke).  “Herbert” Swimming Cup: J. B. Ray. “Peters” Cup. Windsor v. Eton (Eights).  The annual race for the President’s Cup ended in the unusual result of a dead-heat, both crews being very evenly matched.

ANNUAL REGATTA. This event was held on Saturday, August 18th, when, contrary to usual, the weather was extremely fine.  Owing to Sir Geo. Peters not being well enough to attend, Sir Wm. and Lady Carter kindly promised to attend and at the finish of the day’s racing presented the prizes to the winners.  Two old events in Maiden and Junior Fours were revived: these did not meet with the support anticipated, but some good racing was seen.  The Junior event was won by the Maidenhead R.C. and the Maiden Race by the Club crew.  Staines B.C. once again won the “Wakefield” Memorial Cup for double sculling and seem to be quite undefeatable in this event.  The Scratch Eights and Dongolas attracted a good entry, a number of members of neighbouring and tideway clubs taking part.

ANNUAL DINNER. This was held at the “White Hart” Hotel on October 15th, when the chair was taken by Alderman George Mitchell, our senior vice-president, and the evening proved to be enjoyable in every way.

PROPOSED NEW PREMISES. Although nothing definite has been started on, the Committee had thoroughly gone into two schemes and were now in a position to put before the members two definite proposals.

FETE AND FAIR. Owing to the kindness of Mrs. Thomson in placing her grounds at the “Long Walk House” at our disposal, the Club was able, with the great help of the Captain, assisted by our many friends, to run a very successful Fete on Whit-Monday, which, despite our inexperience, showed a good profit of over £80.

RESIGNATION OF HON. TREASURER. During the season the Committee received with great regret the resignation of the Hon. Treasurer, Mr. Cartland.  The Committee wish to express to Mr. Cartland their great appreciation for his very fine work for the Club during his many years of office.  To fill the vacancy Mr. V. A. C. Wood was appointed pro. tem.

THANKS. The members wish to thank Sir George and Lady Peters for the great interest shown in all the Club affairs during the season, and to all who have subscribed to the Club funds; to donors of prizes and subscribers to the Regatta; to Eton College Authorities for their great help to us in all matters; to Mr. Calvert for allowing the Club boats to be moored off his premises; to all those gentlemen who gave their services at the Regatta to Colonel Halligan for allowing us the use of his rooms for Club meetings, and to the Press for their great help.

The Committee hope that the coming season will be a success in all ways and trust that all the members will do their utmost for the Club in every respect.

The CHAIRMAN said it was a very excellent report, and much of the success of the Club during the past year was due to the hard work put in by Captain Thomson.  The wonderful way in which he organised the fete was within their memory, and their thanks were particularly due to Mrs. Thomson for the kind welcome she gave them, and for placing her beautiful grounds and gardens at their disposal (hear, hear).  Mr. Dyson also referred to the good work of the Social Committee headed by Mr. Bellringer, which resulted in over £20 being handed over to the funds of the Club.  Their old friend, Mr. Cartland, had been compelled to resign the office of Hon. Treasurer, which he had held so long and so efficiently, and their hearty thanks were due to him.  Fortunately, they had found in Mr. Wood an excellent treasurer to fill Mr. Cartland’s place, and in Mr. Barrett they also had a capital Secretary.  They thanked them for their services. had much pleasure in proposing the adoption of the report. Mr. BOSWELL Seconded, and the proposition was unanimously carried.

The Balance Sheet

The general balance sheet for season 1928 was submitted by Mr. WOOD.  The receipts showed the following:-

Receipts: Balance on Current Account,

£24 3s.; balance on Deposit account, £10; subscriptions (52 at £2 2s., 5 at £1 1s.), £114 9s.; hon. members’ subscriptions, £16; from Social Committee, £20 10s. 3d.; refund of cartage of boats, £1 15s. 6d.; club races, entry fees, £1 16s.; storage of private boats, £1 sale of fixture cards, 11s.; donation to raft fund account (Mr. H. Marment), £1 1s.; profit on Derby subscription fund, £28; balance of regatta and dance, £2 12s.; interest on deposit at bank, 5s.; balance of Eight Fund, £1 0s. 6d.; profit of fete on Whit-Monday (on deposit account), £83 9s. 6d.; total, £306 12s. 9d.

Expenditure: Rent of premises, £15; rates and taxes, £6 6s.; insurance, £3 16s. 3d.; Thames Conservancy, £4 9s.; storage of raft, £4; boatman’s wages and extra work, £32 2s. 6d.; regatta entry fees, £41 5s. 6d.; prizes, engraving, etc., £6 10s. 6d.; varnish, paint, oil, etc., £7 18s. 6d.; new flag and rope, £1 8s. 3d.; repairs to raft, £17 16s. 8d.; repairs to boats and cartage to regattas, £14 11s. 10d.; printing, stationery, etc., £6 11s.; purchase of Racing VIII., £10; laundry, 15s.; subscriptions, £1 6s.; Hon. Secretary’s postage and incidentals, £2 3s. 4d.; Hon. Treasurer’s postage and receipt stamps, £1 3s. 6d.; wreath, 12s. 6d.; cheque book, 10s.; deficit on club dinner, £3 8s,; balance, Current Account £31 9s. 11d., Deposit Account, £93 9s. 6d. – £124 19s. 5d.; total, £306 12s. 9d.

Mr. Wood said their credit balance was larger than last year, which was principally due to the receipts from the fete.  The regatta fees were up about £20, which was of course due to the club entering for more regattas.

The CHAIRMAN proposed, and Captain THOMSON seconded, the adoption of the accounts, which was carried.

The regatta balance sheet showed a balance in hand of £2 12s.

Re-election of The President

The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the re-election of Sir George Peters, J.P., as President, spoke of his great interest in the Club, and said how glad they were to know that he was getting better.  They hoped that he would soon be fully restored to health (applause).

Captain THOMSON seconded, and the proposition was carried by acclamation.

The Vice-Presidents

The former Vice-Presidents were re-elected en bloc and the Mayor (Lieut.-Colonel S. Wright) and Sir Gomer Berry were added to the list.

The Election of Officers

The CHAIRMAN proposed the re-election of Captain Thomson as captain for the ensuing year, and alluded to the splendid work he had done for the Club.

Captain THOMSON pointed out that he made it clear last year that he would only serve for one year, as he believed in all the members sharing the responsibility in turn.  He was a busy man, and he did not wish to be tied down by the duties of Captain, although he would continue to help The Club all he could.

Mr. C. D. DYSON seconded and said this year they had some very important events to decide and it was very necessary to have such a man as Captain Thomson at the head of affairs (hear, hear).

After some discussion, and Mr. V. Η. HOBBS had said he could not take the post, Captain THOMSON was prevailed upon to accept office for another year, the proposition being carried by acclamation.  Captain Thomson said he would do his best.

On the proposition of Captain THOMSON, seconded by Mr. BARRETT, Mr. V. Н. Hobbs was unanimously elected vice-captain, and he suitably returned thanks,

Captain THOMSON proposed the election of Mr. V. A. C. Wood as Hon. Treasurer, and referred to the assiduous way in which he had carried out the duties since he had been in office.

Mr. BARRETT Seconded, and the proposition was carried.

Mr. WOOD returned thanks in a neat speech.

Captain THOMSON proposed a cordial vote of thanks to Mr. J. T. Cartland for his past work as hon. treasurer, and said how much the Club owed to him for his splendid services to it.

The CHAIRMAN seconded, and it was heartily carried.

Mr. CARTLAND, in returning thanks, said it had always been a labour of love to him.

Captain THOMSON proposed the re-election of Mr. L. Barrett as Hon. Secretary, and eulogised his excellent services.

Mr. WOOD seconded and Mr. HOBBS supported. Carried unanimously.

Mr. BARRETT, in returning thanks, said some of the members could help him a great deal by paying for their dinner tickets earlier, as he only got some of the money in a few weeks ago.

On the proposition of Mr. H. E. DUGGAN, seconded by Mr. Woon, Mr. Bellringer was elected Assistant Secretary, in place of Mr. T. Luff, who had definitely stated that he was unable to stand owing to pressure of business.  Several speakers paid a tribute to Mr. Luff for his great services to the Club in the past, and regret that he was unable to stand again.  Mr. BELLRINGER returned thanks for his election.  Captain THOMSON then proposed a vote of thanks to Mr. Luff for his past services, and said few realised how much he had done for them.

The CHAIRMAN seconded, and it was carried with unanimity.

On the proposition of Mr. HORBS, seconded by Mr. Dyson, Messrs. A. H. Dyson and M. Lightfoot were re-elected hon. auditors, and thanked for their services.  Both suitably re-turned thanks.

The Committee

The Committee for the ensuing year was elected by ballot as follows:- Messrs F. A. Baker, C. D. Dyson, G. W. Bayley, J. W. Croft, H. Marment, F. W. Buck, W. A. Brown, and W. Bedford.

Proposed New Boathouse

The Two Schemes

Captain THOMSON, in putting before the meeting an outline of the two schemes for a proposed new boathouse, said they had received the terms upon which Eton College would rebuild their present premises.  This, they said, would cost £1,000, and the Club would have to pay a deposit of £250 down, and the balance of £750 plus interest – amounting to £30 per annum and plus their present rent of £15 per annum, making a grand total of interest and rental of £45 per annum in perpetuity.  The Club would have no security other than their lease, but they knew the College would treat them as they had always done in a fair and just way.  They had, however, to look at the matter in a business-like way.  They would have a 21 years’ lease from the College, but they would have no surety after that term.  He (Captain Thomson) understood that College had purchased the remainder of the property as far as the Bridge, and if they decided to accept the College terms, they might get a right of way from the Bridge to their boat-house.  The other scheme they had discussed was in connection with Corporation Island, below the baths.  Two or three of them had outlined a scheme, and Mr. Pottow had drawn a rough sketch showing an idea for a proposed boathouse on the island, which he would pass round the room for their inspection.  They had had promises of some small sums towards the scheme, and they had a little money of their own in hand, but he did not think they would be able to raise sufficient entirely from voluntary subscriptions.  He and one or two others had spent a good deal of time in considering the matter, and a building on these lines, which would include a boathouse, club room, dressing rooms, baths, and a refreshment bar, should cost about £1,300, or 9d. per cubic foot.  Many up-river clubs had formed themselves into limited liability companies in order to build new premises, etc., and in his opinion, this was the only solution to the problem now facing the Excelsior Club, whichever scheme they adopted.  They did not want to load themselves with debentures and loans, but if they could get the members to put down a small sum of money and issue shares he thought they might solve their difficulties.  He was of opinion that every new member should pay an entrance fee of say 10s., which would entitle him to a share in the Company, and if the present members subscribed 5s. each for a share it would go a long way to getting up-to-date premises on the island.  Part of the profits made would go to the shareholders as a dividend.  He thought 60 per cent. might go to the Club and 40 per cent. as a dividend.  In this way anyone subscribing to the Club would become a full member and would receive something for the money they had subscribed.  As shown by this year’s balance sheet the Club had been able to make a profit apart from the extra events they had had, and if this were introduced, the members and subscribers would see a small return on their money.  Captain Thomson added that they would have a 21 years’ lease from the Corporation, who would keep the banks of the Island in repair.  He wanted the members to think the two schemes over, and then they might hold an extraordinary general meeting of the Club to go into the whole subject before coming to a decision.

Mr. A. H. DYSON said he would like to see the Club get away from their present premises, owing to damage caused by the floods.  It was most dangerous when the river was in flood, and it was wonderful they had not had more serious accidents than they had suffered.

After a short discussion, Mr. CARTLAND proposed, and Mr. T. BOSWELL seconded, that an extraordinary general meeting of the Club be called in about a month’s time to consider the two schemes before coming to a final decision on the matter.

A vote of thanks concluded the meeting.

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Notes

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