'The annual meeting of members was held on Wednesday afternoon on the prem of Messrs. Gibb, Livingston The Vive-Coumodore, Mr. uth, was voted to the chair, 'The minutes of the last' meeting having been read and confirmed, The Hon, Secretary (Mr. W. G. Moore) then read the following report on the past season the average), has not been so successful as The past season, (although fairly up to
we could wish, From various causes, the entries in both yacht and half-decked classes have been smaller than usual (taking the average for the past 9 years). The greatest number of entries for any one race only 4 out of a total of 7 eligible ul it is especially noticeable that there were only 3 starters for the Fairy Challenge Cup, Eleven races were sailed during the season as against the sume number in 1890, only 3 in 1889 and 18 in 1888. The prizes were not so evenly divided' as could he wished in the interests of this branch of sport in Shanghai. In the yacht class, the Clutha won 8 races out of 11 starts, including the Kirin Cup, and was also second in the Fairy Challenge Cup which was won by the Undine. In the half-decked class, the Muscotte won 6 races out of 11 starts, beating her larger opponent, the Alone no less than 5 times over the course. The Rosetta was only started twice and won one race. In the yacht class, although the Clutha scored the greatest number of wins, the racing was very close in many instances, more especi ally towards the end of the s the present capabilities of the petitors could be better ju Romolo only started in 4 races and was "laid out" no less than 3 times owing to her gear carrying away. The little Thistle "stuck to it" all through in x manner worthy of the country of which that flower is emblematical. (Applause and laughter), With a little more wind she would ha done better, as she is by no means a fair-weather sailer.
But the season has been by no means an uneventful one. The Fairy Challenge Cuy has at last been won, after having been hel inturm by nearly every yacht owner belonging to the Club, and Tam sure that every member heartily congratulates Mr. McLeod on his ultimate success. The vexed question as to what one boat would have to allow another if sailed under home rating has been finally decided in the race for the Kirin Cup kindly presented by the Japan Brewery Ca., which resulted ina duel between the two cutters and was finally won by the (luth T hope that the sight of such hanson trophies may stimulate others to indulge in the healthful and exciting sport of yacht racing.
On the motion of Mr. McLeod, by Mr. Gove, the report and ne aunts were looted, the Chairman remarking that there was an improvement on previous years of $26, which might be considered Fairly satis Mr. Glass moved, and Mr. Moore seconded, the election of Mr. AL MeLeod as Commodore for the ensuing year, The motion was carried, Mr. McLeod remarking at the same that it was very doubtful if he would be in Shanghai during the whole of next scase On the motion of Mr. Gove, seconded by Dr. Macleod, Mr. Duncan Glass was elected Vice-Commodore.
Mr. Cheetham proposed the re-election of Mr. Moore as Hon. Secretary, and remarked that the club was much indebted to Mr. Moore for the manner in which he had filled the post during the past year.
The motion was carried unanimously and Mr. Moore in returning thanks stated that Mr. A. E. Jones had kindly consented to act as Hon. Treasurer.
Mr. Moore subsequently submitted that it was not necessary to yo on carrying small balance forward from year to yea and he suggested that after paying the necessary expenses all the money in hand at the end of the should "be fairly divided among the winners, Some informal discussion took place on this proposal, but no definite action was taken by the meeting.
Mr. Moore then said he had a proposition to bring forward, the effect of which he hoped would be to induce owners to build a new class of boats, so as to increase the number of competing craft. The resolution as follows "That with a view to encouraging more interest in yacht racing, it is proposed to introduce a class of sailing Loots (open oF half d ved, as the owner desires) about 3 to 34 rating Y. R. A. rules, to cost about 300 taels Shanghai sycee, and that " committee be appointed to consider the details and draw up a complete scheme for submission to a future meeting, to be held not later than 20th December, 1391."
Mr. Moore added that the probable builders were Messrs. Glass, Caldbeck, Moore and friend, Jones and friend, Ready and J. P. Roberts, Mr. Gove asked if it could be guaranteed that boats 30ft. long would not cust more than Tls. 300, Mr. Moore ssid that if the boat could not be made that length for the money, it would have to be reduced in length.
Mr. Glass, in seconding the resolution, thought that if the scheme could be properly gone into and carried out, it would very good thing for the Club, and yachting as a sport. Many people would go in for yachting if it were not for the Jexpense. Hitherto the small number of boats competing had made the races very monotonous; but if the; had a number of small boats it would just as good fun [for the owners and much snore interesting [to everybody. The idea was to have a cheap class of boat which would not. easily upset and at the sane time would not require two or three tons of lead ballast something like a ship's whale-boat, 30 ft. over all, with a centre-board, ballasted with iron, and any kind of sail desired. Of course it was open to discussion whether there should be cutter or lug sails. Such details could be left to the committee.
Mr. Jones suggested the following as the basis for a set of rules (1) Size to be limited to 3.5 rating.
area in square feet, and divided by 6,000 (2) Length over all, snultptied by. sail to give the rating.
(3) All boats to be clinker-built (to secure cheapness), (4) No outside ballast allowed except entre-board, the weight of which shall not. exceed 400Ibs.
Centre-buard case nut to exceed ones third of the length of the boat, (6) Draft of water not to exceed 3ft. without centre-board.
(7) Time allowance to be ecoided in accordance with Y.E scale, unless decided otherwise by special meeting of members of the Club.
(8) Owners of bouts to pay a yearly subscription of $15, including ordinary subscription, which will entitle them to start in all the races of the class during the season without further entrance foe.
After some discussion the resolution was. put and carried.
On the motion of Mr. Glass, seconded by Mr. McLeod, Messrs. Croal, Jones, Moore and J. P. Roberts were elected the committee required by the foregoing resolution.
Votes of thanks to the outgoing Committee and to Mr. McLeod for the use of the room terminated the business of the meeting.
Mr. MeLeod subsequently announced that he would give a cup for competition next season, leaving the details to be settled by the Committe We have to thank the Hon, Secretary and Treasurer fur the following balance sheet Shanghai Yacht Club la account with Treasurer,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.