SANDERS CUP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 204, 30 August 1933, Page 8

SANDERS CUP.

AUCKLAND'S ACTION. OFFER TO RETURN TROPHY. DISCUSSION IN COMMITTEE. A special meeting of the Auckland Yacht and Motor' Boat Association, owners of the Sanders Cup, decided last evening to offer to return the trophy to the donors, Messrs. Walker and Hall. Mr. C. H. T. Palmer, chairman of the association, presided', and every affiliated club was represented. The meeting had been called, explained Mr.: Palmer, to deal with the situation that had arisen over the Sanders Gup. Mr. E. H. Northcroft said that a good deal more publicity had already been, given to the controversy than was desirable. He moved that the discussion be taken in committee. . ■ ; ■ Mr. W. A. Wilkinson moved an amendment that the matter be open to the Press, but there was no seconder. At the end of a lengthy discussion, it was announced that the , following resolution had been carried unanimously: — On the motion of Mr. Northcroft it was resolved that:— "This association regrets the disputes which have arisen concerning the Sanders Cup contest. It recognises that these disputes detract from, the high honour which New Zealand yachtsmen should at all times show to the memory of Lieutenant-Commander Sanders, V.C., D.5.0., R.N.R., to commemorate whose seamanship and courage the cup was presented to it. "It entertains the view that the contests have tended to exhibit the skill and ingenuity of the 'builders of the competing craft instead of the seamanship and courage of those sailing them. Its experience leads it to the regretful conclusion that circumstances make it impracticable at present to maintain that close contact among true yachtsmen in the different centres which contact alone can check the tendency referred to. It sees no reason to expact any greater success in overcoming Hi'cse difficulties by the formation of a New Zealand Yachting Council f han lias been achieved by the present system of intorprovincial conferences. In these circumstances, this association is of opinion that Messrs. Walker and Hall should be asked if they wish this association to return their gift." On the motion of Mr. Palincr, seconded by Mr, A. A. Coates, i<, was resolved that: "The Auckland Vacht and Motor Boat Association cannot understand the reiterated statement that this, association controls the Sanders Cup races, and that the other provincial associations have no voice in the matter. The control of all Sanders Cup contests is by the Dominion conferences. All disputes since 1921 have been controlled .by the Dominion conferences in which Auckland has had precisely the same voice as any other province, and it is a fact that during the past five years only one Aucklander on one'occasion was appointed as ah official timekeeper, starter or judge." On the motion of Mr. Northcroft, and seconded by' Mr. W. J. Reid, it was resolved: "This association places on record its appreciation •of the services rendered to it by its chairman, Mr. C. H. T. Palmer, in all matters. relating to tl)e Sanders Cup, and assures him of its continued confidence in' him. I