The Annual Meeting of the above Club was held in the Athenaeum on Thursday, 25th January, the President of the Club, Mr Sydney Holland, in the chair.
It was decided to continue the arrangements as regards dressing rooms at Putney and Clapton.
The accounts for the past year were read out, and showed a balance of about £4.
The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows:-
President, Mr Sydney Holland; Captain, Mr Rudge; Secretary Mr Warren; Committee, Hearn, Cox, Newland and Ridgepath.
Votes of thanks were passed to Mr Sydney Holland and other members of the House-Committee, for the gift of a new boat last year, and to Mr Ord for coaching the crew.
It was decided not to elect a second boat captain at the meeting, but to leave the election to the Committee.
In reply to a vote of thanks, the Chairman expressed surprise that the account showed no allowance for damage done to clothing at the Water-Picnic, and praised the public spirit of the Secretary who had advanced the sum of one and fourpence to the Club; this terminated the proceedings.
The rowing club has not yet started this year with the brightest future. The Finance Committee, without a properly passed balance sheet, have not granted funds. This was due to the fact that the Club had no responsible member in or about the Hospital at the time of the General Meeting.
The Four has started work regularly since the last week in April, and, when once together, should really turn out a good crew. They are, on the whole, a heavier lot than last year, and show every sign of being able to use their weight. Of the second four, it is too early to judge as yet. The difficulty-in chief, at present, is the want of a suitable cox, and though many men would do, physically, no one seems willing to give the time and trouble to acquire what skill is necessary.
At present, only St. Thomas' have appeared on the river; they have much the same crew as last year. Of St. George's, there is no evidence as yet, but they are sure to have an individually good crew.
SENIOR FOURS
London Hospital- RC Moot, bow, HN Fink, JH Thomas, EJH Rudge, Str., E Cox, Cox
JUNIOR FOURS
London Hospital- WH Fisher, Bow, E Good, CA Aitcheson, ANS Fisher, Str.,E Weatherhead, Cox
Course-Putney Bridge to Hammersmith Bridge
Races begin at 11.15am
H Ellington, Esq. Umpire and Starter; PF Tinne, Hon Sec.
The race for the United Hospital Challenge Cup was rowed on Saturday, May 26th, from Putney to Hammersmith, for the Senior Cup. Four crews competed, viz., St. George's (holders), St. Thomas', St. Bart's and London
After some delay at the start, owing to the usual string of barges and tugs. Mr Ellington of the LRC, got the boats away about 11.45.
St. Bart's went to the front at once and were soon leading St. Thomas' by 1/2 length, who, in turn, were 1/2 length from London, St. George's being last.
St. Thomas' crew was passed by London at Craven Steps. St. Bart's, who were rowing a much faster stroke, being 1 1/2 lengths ahead.
In the smooth water round "The Point" London began to make up lost ground, and at the Crab Tree, a fine effort by Rudge, splendidly backed up throughout the boat, brought them level with their leaders.
By Harrod's Stores, London led by the length of their forward canvas, and in spite of repeated efforts on the part of Barts, they drew steadily away, and won by two lengths.
St. Thomas' finished five lengths behind St. Barts, and 1/2 length ahead of St. George's.
On returning to Putney, we found the only two boats entered, viz., London and St. Thomas' waiting on the stake boats, London holding the Middlesex station.
Both boats got away well at the start, and, for a time, there was noting to choose between them. Fisher set an excellent steady stroke, and was well backed up by his crew. At the end of the Fulham Palace Gardens, London were evidently beginning to go ahead, and, from there, they steadily drew away. At the half-way post, they had established a lead of a length which increased to 1 1/2 at Crab Tree wharf. Opposite Harrod's Stores, another length was added. Our hearts were in our mouths for one moment, when a collision appeared almost inevitable, owing to the meanderings of a scratch four coming down the river, coupled with the aberrant efforts of two yachts and a steamer. However, Weatherhead kept his head, and got his crew safely through. Fisher put on the pace, and they finished in excellent style, with a lead of three lengths.
And so the second cup fell to us also, needless to say everybody was very pleased with himself, and we felt that our prestige had been once more restored.
This most enjoyable annual function was held on June 15th last, and in spite of the gloomy and threatening weather, was voted to be "quite a good day". bout fifty of us turned up at Paddington and journeyed down to Taplow, and in a very short time we had all embarked and were on our way to Cookham, where the first halt was called and a swim was indulged in. After this we proceeded to raid the Inn at Cookham Ferry, and where, after the advance party had done some really good foraging, we succeeded in taking the edge off our appetites, and in quenching our thirst somewhat. Then on again up to Marlow, some sculling, others towing, and a few with sails set, waiting for wind to take them along, while now and again, with gusts of the breeze, sentences were wafted across to us, savouring, and meant to be à la nautique, such as "Trim her," "Get her nose straight," "bring her up to the wind," which, under the conditions, would have meant carrying the boat across land in search of breeze; and so we came to Marlow, where the chief event of the day - lunch - was held. Then followed speeches facetious, speeches short but wide of mark; toasts of "the Royal Family, coupled with the name of Dr. Gilbart-Smith" and such-like banter, showing how well the lunch had wrought its wonders. After the ubiquitous photographer had immortalised the scene with plate and camera, we started on our way homewards, feeling quite content and supremely lazy, and, as the wind was behind us, we set sail and proceeded to drift quietly along, with pipes hard at work. Ah, me! life is truly worth living under such conditions. In the Bourne End Reach we witnessed the usual "Hospital Navy Manoeuvres." The unfortunate boat chosen was the sacred "House" boat, whose rudder flew into the air, and none of whose occupants seemed to appreciate the showers of water deluged on them by a couple of oars from the attacking boat. Tea was taken at Cookham, and for which we should like to thank Dr. Gilbart-Smith, both for ourselves and on behalf of all the others concerned, for his kindness in providing it; the opportunity of thanking him at Cookham was not a favourable one, men arriving and leaving in batches, and so it was left over to the medium of the Gazette.
From Cookham to Maidenhead the journey was uneventful, and at length our terminus was reached, and we were once more aboard the train on our way back to town, fairly well tired, but feeling all the fitter for the outing.
Amongst our party were Dr Percy Kidd, Dr Gilbart-Smith, Dr Hadley, DR FJ Smith, Mr Munro Scott, Mr Furnivall, Dr Hunter, The Hon. Sydney Holland, and last, but far from least, was "Ramps" without whom a boating picnic would be about as incomplete as Christmas without its Father Christmas.