THE SQUADRON'S PRIZE NIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 126, 29 May 1937, Page 25

THE SQUADRON'S PRIZE NIGHT.

AUCKLAND YACHTING.

SEASON'S BAD WEATHER. GOVERNOR-GENERAL PRESENT (By SPEEDWELL.) The Royal New Zealand Yaclit Squadron's forty-sixth annual presentation of prizes was held last evening in the clubrooms. lhere was a good attendance of members and the prizes were presented by his Excellency the Gove-rnor-General, Yiscount i Galway. I The visitors were received by Commodore A. E. Gifford, who was supported by ViceCommodore H. J. C. George and RearCommodore M. K. Draffin. Other members present were Captain W. Ross (honorary life member) and past Commodores N. 1.. Macky, \V. 1\ Endean, J. B. Johnston and J. \V. Fratcr. Amongst the guests were Sir Ernest Davis, Captain Glenuie (H.M.S. Achilles), Commander C. B. Tin'ley (11.M.5. Philomel). Captain H. H. Sergeant and Mr. D. lloldcrness (Auckland Harbour Board), Mr. J. Moiling, town clerk, and flag officers of the local yacht clubs. 'ifjie trophies were grouped near the I commodore's table, aud Included the J. C. Macky Memorial Clip, the GovernorGeneral's Cup (.presented by Sir Chas. l'ergusson), the T. M. Alexander Memorial Gold Cup, Mr. Harry Goldic's trophy, a Viking ship, beautifully executed in solid silver, by a local craftsman, the Berthon Barrel, and the Johnson, Wilson and Drysdale Cups. After the Royal toast, Mr. Gifford welcomed his Excellency and thanked him for consenting to present the prizes, lu reviewing the past season, Air. Gifford said the weather had been the worst in his recollection. In spite of this, entries had been good and racing as keen as ever. The weather had tested both men and tlieir boats: a lew masts went overboard, but no serious mishap occurred. Trophies Well Distributed. The handicapping had been good and prizes were well distributed. The Squadron's representative in the Upton Cup contest tor ——t* t mullet boats was successful. Although the club did not hold races lor this class, it was a good racing class, and the boats cruised extensively. The annual week-end at Kawau was again a success, and he wished to thank the! Navy lor their kindness in providing H.M.S. Duncdiu as flagship. Thirty boats competed in the various races. The lirst race for Mr. Goldie's trophy was won by Ngatoa. In February, Messrs Chambcrlin ami Goodfellow, owners of the M class boat Manu, took her to Lytteltou to compete at the regatta for the local championship and the championship of New Zealand. Owing to minor mishaps, she only secured second place in both races. It was pleasing to see the Viking racing again. She won the cruising race on March t>, and he congratulated Lieutenant-Commander Monctou on his success. Racing in the club's M class was very keen and closely contested, the innovation of handicapping these boats proving successful, as it made for a better distribution of the prizes. Mr. Gifford congratulated M essrs. Chamberlin and Goodfellow on their' success with Manu, which won the class championship, getting the gun live times. Mancne was runner up, aud Colin Defines was also to be complimented ou the way he had sailed her, especially as this was his lirst season in the class. Requests lor dimensions and all particulars of tint M class had been received from a British Yacht Club, also from Vancouver. Barhadoes and llobart. lilue prints would be made and forwarded in due course. Mr. Gifford thanked the racing officials, especially those who took finishing times ill the cruising races, and mentioned that Mr. E. .1. Kelly had done this job for the past L'l years. He concluded by requesting his Excellency to make the presentations. His Excellency's Remarks.

Viscount Ualway, who was greeted with applause, said Iliat his home was many miles awa.v from tlie sea ami except f"r somo experiences when at Oxford with boats ou the Thames he had uot done any yachting. Due to outside causes he was not able to be in Auckland last summer, but was looking forward to coming up next season. He hoped they would be favoured with better weather. Auckland Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf were second to none, and he was pleased to find that so many of the citizens took advantage of this "and went in for racing and cruising very extensively. Yachting had a great hold in England. His late Majosty King George V. was a keen yachtsman and always enjoyed the time he was able to spend 011 the Britannia. This famous yacht was getting old, but when a new yacht was suggested to King George he rofused to have another Kritannia built as he was so much in love with her. It was litting that she should have been sunk in deep water after His Majesty's death. He hoped the present King would also take up yachting and follow his father's example.

His Excellency presented the prizes and congratulated each winner: The following was the prize list:— Owning cruising race, November 21, Mr. J. li. Frater's prize: Windward 1, Mahaki 2, Janet 3. Night cruising race, to Kawau, February 5, Admiral Ulake's trophy: Ariki 1, ltawene 2, Xgatoa 3. Motor yachts, club trophy: liaira 1, Ixidy Margaret 2. Cruising race to Te Koutua, February 27, T. M. Alexander memorial cup : Nsutoa 1, Ariki li, Tamatea. 3. Cruising race, March 6, Mr. J. is. Johnston's trophy, first division: Viking 1. Tawera 2, Waitangt 3. Second division, Commodore A. E. Gilford's trophv : Windward 1, Rarere 2, Mahaki 3. Final cruising race, April 17, Mr. Fred Wilson's trophy : Victory 1, Altair 2. Little Jim 3. Harbour race, December 12, Butler bequest trophy : Kawene 1. Ariki 2. l'rize 3. Harbour race, January 23, Mackv memorial trophy, first division : ltawene 1, Little Jim 2, Ngatoa 3. Second division, Rear-Commodore M. K. Draffin's trophy : Moana 1, Waiomo 2, Altair 3. Third division, Mr. J. W. Frater's trophy : Itambler 1, Mahaki 2, Minerva 3. Harbour race, January 30. first division, Governor-General's trophy : Moana 1, l'rize 2. Victory 3. Second division, Messrs. Howard and Koy Johnson's trophv : Tawhiri 1, Little Jim 2, Waiomo 3. Third division, Vice-Commodore H. J. George's trophy : Kotuku 1, Itambler 2, Mahaki 3. Harbour race at Kawau. February ('«. tirst division. Mr. Harry Goldie's trophy: Ngatoa 1, Tawera 2, Victory 3. Second division. Commander Berthou's trophy : Mahaki 1, Windward 2. Kotuku 3. M class, 18ft patikis.—Harbour races, November 21 : Maroro 1, Ma mi 2. Maratea 3. December 12: Manu 1. Manene 2. Manaia 3. January 23: Manuia 1. January 30, Mr. C. H. Dr.vsdale's trophy : .Manene 1. Maroro 2. Mawliiti 3. February 27: Manu 1, Maratea 2. Maroro 3. March (J: Mawliiti and Maratea dead-heat 1, Manene 3. April 17 : Manu 1, Mawliiti 2, Manene 3. M class championship, Wilson trophy: Manu (Messrs. Chamberlin and Goodfellow 1), Manene (Colin Denues) 2. Mr. H. J. C. G(v>rge proposed the toast of "Kindred Clubs." There were 1(! clubs which sailed 011 the Waitemata and the Manukau, he said, and all were doing good work by installing the sea sense in the younger men. The host of good fellowship existed between ail of the clubs and he felt sure it would continue. Mr. George referred to the honour bestowod by His Majesty the King in granting a charter to the Akarana Club. This club was one of the oldest on the harbour and he felt sure it would worthily uphold its Itoyal name. He asked Mr. C. H. Palmer, chairman of the Auckland Yacht and Motor Boat Association, to respond for the affiliated clubs. Mr. Palmer said the clubs all congratulated the squadron on its continued success. They owed a great deal to the squadron and looked to it for a lead in yachting matters. He felt sure that when the St. Mary's Bay boat harbour was completed to hold, over 600 boats yachting would be more popular than ever. Both his Excellency Viscount Galway Mid Mr. Gilford congratulated Sir Ernest Davis on receiving a knighthood from His Majesty and referred to Sir Ernest's long ■ connection with yachting in Auckland. , Mr. Gifford also thanked the Auckland I Harbour Board and the Government for : their decision to proceed with the work ut" completing St. Mary's Bay boat harbour. During the evening a first-class musical whs rendered by an orchestra under the* direction of Mr. Harold Baxter. Items were also given by Messrs. R. Simp- , son. Rex Yates, K. S-immers and Hayden ' Murray.