The annual meeting of the Shanghai Yacht Club, in the Palace Hotel, on Thursday, conducted under the genial despotism of Mr. B. T. Byrne, the Commodore, was typical of the club, and at the same time had a special significance, in that it in troduced new sport to Shanghai. In his opening remarks, the Commodore said that, on behalf of the club, he would like to express the regret of every member that Mr. W. D. Neil felt compelled to resign from the hon. secretaryship, a post which he had filled to the great \dvantage of the club. Apart from his efforts as secretary, he was a worthy son of a sailor sportsman and the club could ill afford to lose Unfortunately, owing to. pres sure of business, his friend, Mr. J.
Milligan, also was compelled to resign the office of hon treasurer.
By the death of their old friend, Mr. Tom Mellows, the club had lost tone of their oldest members, For years he never missed a race, and the harder it blew the more he liked it, He did a lot of good for the club and those who knew him well realized that, when he gave up racing, they lost a real sailor. The House Committee also would lose by the departure from Shanghai of Mr, A. L. Blechynden, who always under took the fitting out of the Foam, He had taken to farming and they had the consolation of knowing that there was no better farmer than a sailor, As regards the racing last year, every one would look back with pleasure on a very successful season and ho particularly congratulat the owners of the Tweetie and the Viking in "A" Class and the Gnome and the Banshee amongst the Byrne boats for their outstanding: success. 'The race for cruising yachts which Fi he instituted proved to, be a great success and he hoped that, in the coming season, there would' be still larger entries, whilst he had no doubt that it would be possible to have such races at least once a Inthe coming season, brevited the "submarine" was retrieved, they Would again have seven boats ing and he heped ull the owners would have them in commission by the opening cruise. There hal been many suggestions for another cines, but, until more real enthusiasm manifest, he thought it woul better to concentrate 'The designs were handy' and ay who wanted a Byrne boat always could build one, or two or three could go into' partnership. He thouzhe it of interest that 3fr. Pat MacDougal, who formerly was 40 successful in the Byrne boats, now was engaged in introducing the class into Bangkok, where he understood. tne exchange brokers executed rheic business in something of the kind, as an improvement on pony traps.
The report and accounts were passed and the opening cruise was fixed for Sunday, May 13, on a down-river course.
The Commodore protested vi ously but unconvineinely against the arduous work of selecting three cups for the eighteenth successive ud again suggested that it was time a younger member improved on his efforts, but he failed to secure a supporter and was unanimously re-elected. Other officers elected were:—Vice-Conimodore, Mr, W. C. Woodie Racing Committee, Mes T. P. Cranston and W. D.
House Committee, Messrs. J. and J. Kiriehok; Hon, Secretary.
and Treasurer, Bi. EH. Lewis, Mr. Cranston raised the question of encouraging motor boat racing, with the idea of specially concentrat-1g on outboard motors, which suggestion the Club accepted with enthusiasm. A special committee was elected to deal with this branch, consisting of Bessrs, C. S, Taylor
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.