The Cuamsax, in opening the proceedings, expressed the pleasure it afforded him to seo so many present, He congratulated the members of the Glub on the success of the past season, saying that the Spring Regatta would rank among the most suc. cessful ones ever held under the auspices of the Club, which, he was pleased to say, was in a flourishing and most satisfactory condition, He then called upon the Hon, Secretary and the Hon. Treasurer to read their reports.
Mr. D. Grass, the Hon. Secretary, then read his report which was as follow:
In presenting to the members the Annual Acoouuts of the Club for Inst season the Committee have again to report a falling off the number of members. The Committee have come to the conclusion that this is tirely owing to the disinclination or want of interest in all healthy and manly sports which characterizes the majority men now coming to Shanghai from Engl d America. This la not only apparent the Rowing Club, but in other institutions fo the practice of field sports as well; as oh members retire or go Home, their pinees are not filled, and hence our position with a small, though energetic, set of member This will become apparent wien we state that of the 49 paying members on the list at this date, 34 have been in China from 7 to 17 ears and upwards, and only 12 have arrived luring the past two or three years, About 10 years ayo we used to get 20 to 25 new mem-ug the past year we collected subscrip-from 58 members, of whom 47 remain on roll for this season, and it is gratifying to observe that several gentlemen have been put up for membership for this year.
Financially the Club is in flow dition, We have two excellent buat-houser, one of them nearly new, and a large fleet of boats (including six Eights") in very good order, All the boats have been repaired and varnish during the winter and (except the old fours) will last for yeara. Should the the Club admit, the outgoing commits end to ti t four We had a successful Autumn Regatta, and after expending $527.00 in prizes and $326.31 in ral expenses, indue Upper Boat-house, thi balance of $35.81 count.
The general account now presented to you by the Honorary Treasurer shows a credit balance of Tls. 30.90.
The Committee have been in treaty with Mr. Groom for th The following debit and er the Autumn Regatta, 1879, was for inspection Transfer to 8.R.C. General Account Credit, By Entry Money Mr. C. Dowpat proposed, and Mr. R. P. Huxrer seconded, the adoption of the report and accounts, which were unanimously passed.
The Cuarawax mentioned that it would be observed that there had been a slight falling off in the number of members, and exhorted those present to manifest their interest in the Club by trying to persuade their friends and new arrivals to join them. It was a remarkable fact, but nevertheless a true one, that of the forty-nine paying members, thirty-four of them had been in Shanghai from seven to seventeen years and upwards, and their long connection with the Club unmistakeably showed that they appreciated the exercise combined with pleasure derived from membership. This of itself should be a sufficient inducement to cause new blood to join them.
Some conversation then ensued as to the probability of the sale of the site of the old Upper Boat-house, and a strong feeling prevailed that if the negotiations with Mr. Groom" were successfully carried through the money should be invested in the purchase of new-tub " fours."
'The quiéstion of the'Spring Regatta was Wien discussed and "it was decided to hold i€ on the Greek instead of the River, and to inlake it more' attractive than usual by the introduction of é4mipan and canoe races. It was decided that if possible the Regatta should come off before the Races, The Cuarrwas said the only remaining business before the meeting was. the elec: tion of a Committee for the ensuing.year. As two of the old Committee-men wexp going Home and two others were desirous Of resigning, it would be necessary for the members to infuse new blood into the management.
The ballot resulted in the election of the following gentlemen as the Committee for the ensuing year:—Messrs, Westall, Huchting, and Glass (members of the old Committee) Dowdall, and Dudgeon.
A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.