AQUATICS.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2668, 17 November 1871, Page 3

AQUATICS.

_—« : KAIAPOI REGATTA. Two public meetings in connection with the Kaiapoi regatta were held respectively at tbe Pier Hotel and Burnip's Hotel on Wednesday evening last, at 8 o'clock p.m. the pier hotel meeting. A meeting of the Regatta Committee convened by the secretary was held at 7.30 p.m The members present were Messrs R. M" Wright, R. W. Smith, H. Kerr, C. Sims, J* Sims, A. Clark, C. Oram, T. Dodson, and E* G. Kerr (hon. sec.) On the motion of Mr Smith, seconded by Mr Clark, Mr R. M. Wright was voted to the chair. The Chairman in opening the meeting, drew attention to the fact that two separate meetings had been called. The present meeting had been called by the secretary in the proper form, and the one at Burnip's Hotel had been called by Mr Dudley without authority. They were aware that in regatta committees, boating clubs,*and all other su-h institutions, the secretary was the proper person to call meetings, and he must say the course pursued by the other side was a very unusual one. He thought that Dr Dudley, as mayor, had shown a very bad example by adopting the course he had taken, as it was only calculated to mar the success of the regatta. The advertisement inserted by the secretary on Saturday last, convening the present meeting was known to Dr Dudley when he ordered his :< copy " to be sent to the papers; such being the case, his action was inexcusable. Had he not known that an advertisement had previously appeared, there would have been some excuse for the affair clashing. Tbe secretary would be better able to state his action in the matter, and he would now call upon him to do so. Mr E. G. Kerr, hon. sec, stated that, as secretary of the Regatta Committee, he had only adopted the course pursued by him in former years in calling the present meeting. He regretted very much to see the aspect which affairs had assumed, but he was convinced that his conduct throughout had been thoroughly honest and straightforward, and being in the right he would not submit to Dr Dudley's views of the case. The Chairman said the proper course to adopt was to say whether they considered the secretary's action right or wrong, after hearing his statement. Mr Oram thought the secretary had only followed the course pursued by him in f ormeryears, and as there wasamajority of the active members of the committee present, he would move the following resolution :— " That this meeting fully concurs in the action taken by the secretary in calling the present meeting in the usual course, and regrets the course taken by Dr Dudley in inserting an advertisement after that of the secretary had appeared." Mr Smith seconded the motion, and expressed his regret that a man in Dr. Dudley's position should have so far forgotten himself and the duty be owed the public. The CHAIRMAN fully concurred in the j resolution, but as the minutes of the previous meeting had not been confirmed, they would have to be read before he could put the resolution. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Chairman put Mr Oram's motion to the meeting, and declared it carried unanimously. . The Secretary thanked the meeting for their unanimous vote corroborating his action. - , , V 4. The Treasurer presented a balance sheet of last year's regatta, which showed that the gross receipts had been £84 9s 3d, and the expenditure £69 7r 3d, leaving a credit balance of £15 2s towards the coming regatta. The accounts were inspected by the meeting and the vouchers examined, after which, on the motion of Mr Oram, seconded by Mr Clark, they were passed as correct, being certified to in the usual manner. A letter was received from the Secretary of the Cure Boating Club enclosing an account of £3 10s for a punt lent to the Regatta Committee and not returned. The Secretary explained that the punt bad been moored in tbe river as " distance boat" in one of the races, and got washed out to sea by the heavy fresh that came down on the afternoon of the regatta. On the motion of Mr C. Sms, seconded by Mr J. Sims, the account was passed, and the Treasurer instructed to forward a cheque for the amount. The meeting then adjourned to tbe large

room of the hotel to report to the public meeting. ' ■ • ■ - r A public meeting was held at the hour appointed, there being thirty-five persons present. On the motion of Mr G. H. WEARING, seconded by Mr A. Clark, Mr R. M. Wright was voted to the chair. The Chairman on taking his seat said be was exceedingly sorry to see that the regatta affairs had clashed. They were aware that another meeting had been called at Burnip's Hotel that evening, and he was pleased to see that so many of the townspeople had attended the present meeting. It was a great pity that the convening of the regatta meeting had not been left to the secretary, as in former years. The secretary would better explain to the meeting all the circumstances connected with the case, and the public would then be able to form an opinion as to who was in the right. He thought that as those immediately connected with Dr Dudley had been circulating their story of their affair, is was only due to | the secretary and the present meeting that this statement should be heard. [Cheers.] Mr E. G. Kerr said, for the better and more lucid explanation of his right to call the meeting as secretary of the Regatta Committee, it would be necessary for him to show the course which had obtained with regard to calling meetings in former years. The coming event was the fifth annual regatta, and he had been secretary to the committee, since the question of holding a regatta at Kaiapoi was first mooted. The first public meeting of persons to consider the question of establishing a regatta was called by him as the secretary to the original Kaiapoi"boating club. The meeting was held, he was appointed secretary and had been re-elected each successive year up to the present time. With a view to giving the meeting unmistakeable evidence that he had always called the meetings in connexion with the regatta, he had brought the newspapers for three years back to show that his statements were correct. He then read the advertisements. Supposing, he said, for sake of argument, that as secretary he had no right to call meetings, why had this practice been allowed to go on so many years without any objection being raised by the regatta committee ? Had Dr Dudley sent his advertisement convening the meeting at the Kaiapoi hotel before his (Mr Kerr's) was sent, he would in such a case, in the interests of the regatta, have attended the meeting, although Dr Dudley had no right to call it ; but when that gentleman took upon himself to call a meeting at another place on the same eveuing, after knowing that his (the secretary's) advertisement was in print, it was plain to any reasonable minded man that it was a deliberate attempt to " baulk" aud conflict the interests of the regatta. [Cheers.] He had told eight members of the committee he intended to call a meetiug after the holidays, and when in Christchurch on Friday last he wrote out an advertisement, which appeared in the Times of Saturday. He returned to Kaiapoi, and gave Mr Wilson, agent for the Press, a copy of the advertisement for insertion in Monday's paper. Mr Wilson then told him Dr Dudley had left an advertisement for inseition also in Monday's Press, calling a meeting at Burnip's hotel the same evening. Mr Wilson also handed him a copy of the same advertisement for insertion in Tuesday's Times. He then asked Mr Wilson not to send Dr Dudley's advertisement till he could be seen and informed that an advertisement had already appeared, calling the meeting at the Pier hotel, as it would not only damage the regatta, but would look exceedingly bad in the eyes of the outside public. Mr Wilson afterwards saw Dr Dudley on his return from an inquest at Rangiora, and told him an advertisement had already appeared calling tbi_ meeting, and suggesting that it would not be wise to let the affair clash. Then, instead of Dr Dudley doing what any man who had the interests of the town at heart would do, he told Mr Wilson to send his advertisement to the newspaper. He (Mr Kerr) was certain personal animus had prompted Dr Dudley to do what he had done, but whatever the Doctor's feelings might be against him or any other person in the town, they should not be used to militate against one of the principal institutions of the place. [Cheers.] He saw no reason wh) the regatta should not be the leading aquatic event of the province. At all events they had the best water, and only required unanimity of action to utilize the natural advantages which they possessed. The Chairman said, that after hearing the statement of the secretary he thought the-meeting should express an opinion as to whether they concurred in his actions. He would himself move the following resolution —" That this meeting entirely concurs in the action taken by the secretary in calling the present meeting, and that he carried out his duty correctly in doing so." The motion on being put was declared carried unanimously. The Chairman read a letter which he had received from Mr Joseph Beswick, stating that he would like to have attended both meetings ; but as that was a feat which he thought he would not be able to accomplish, he would offer the following suggestion— that both meetings be allowed to lapse, and the hon. sec. of the Regatta Committee be instructed to call a meeting of th<- committee to wind up the affairs, say at seven o'clock, on Friday evening next, and the chairman of last year's Annual Sports Committee, or the Mayor call a public meeting at 8.30. This he ventured to suggest was the proper course, and he would make the same proposal to the chairman of the meeting at Burnip's Hotel. Mr C. Sims stated that he concurred to some extent in Mr Beswick's letter, and believed it would be in the interest of the Regatta Committee if they adjourned. He was perfectly satisfied that tbe secretary was not to blame in the matter, but all things considered, it would be better to adjourn, as it would settle any party feeling. He would move " That the secretary call, a public meeting on Monday night, at the Pier' Hotel, and invite all persons interested in boating to attend. The Secretary and several others were in favor of the resolution. It was put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was passed to the chairman, and the meeting separated. The chairman, Messrs Smith, Wearing, and Clarke, went as a deputation to report to the meeting at Burnip's what had been done. THE MEETING AT BURNIP'S HOTEL. A meeting of seven members of last year's Regatta Committee was held, there being present, Dr Dudley (president), Messrs J. C. Boddington, C. E.Dudley, W. Hassall, H. J. Wood, W. Burnip, aud R. H. Mathews. Tbe Chairman (Dr Dudley) said, that in the absence of Mr Kerr, the secretary of last regatta, the meeting had better appoint a secretary pro. tern., who should be instructed to get from Mr Kerr the accounts, balance of moneys, and the minutes of former regatta meetings, and as they could do no more, then adjourn the present meeting. Mr C. E. Dudley moved, Mr R. H. Mathews seconded—" That Mr R. C. Rose be elected secretary pro tern, carried. ! It was stated in reply to the Chairman that the last regatta committee might have £20 in hand, but there appeared to be no definite information ou this matter. After some conversation Mr Wood moved, Mr Hassall seconded —" That the secretary write to the secretary and treasurer of last regatta, and request him to furnish a balance sheet, papers, and minute book of the regatta, and at the same time hand over any balance of money he may have in hand." Carried. Mr Wood suggested they should appoint another time to meet and receive the minutes, &c, though he did not expect Mr Kerr would send them. Mr Dudley thought Friday would be a good evening to hold a meeting. Mr Burnip said the Minstrels would visit Kaiapoi on that evening. The meeting decided to adjourn till the decision of the public meeting was obtained. A public meeting was then held in. the lo_|room of the hotel, twenty-five persoßS

being present, among whom were the president, who occupied the chair, Messrs Boddington, Rose, Macfarlane, McNicoll, Shaw Russell, Bean, Winterbourne, Revell' Wood' Hassall, Mathers. R. Wilson, Day ' Harris' Powell, Schenkel, Simmonds, kc ' ' ' The Chairman said the present was a meeting to arrange for the Kaiapoi annual regatta. They were met in consequence of an advertisement signed by him as Mayor. and also president of last regatta, to make such arrangements as were necessary for carrying out the regatta this year. Such a number of persons present, which was a larger attendance than he bad ever seen before at a similar meeting, evidently showed the desire and interest they took iv the affair, and their wish it should be held as usual. If they were to carry it on, however, it would be necessary to adjourn for a short time, to get the minutes of last regatta, and a balance sheet prepared. He might say something about the fact of the meetinghaving been called, and it was due to him and his position as Mayor, that the meeting should hear some explanation of the false reports which had been circulated and become public property during the last few days. He did not arrogate to himself anything in calling this meeting; he had a right to do so as much as any tinker or tailor had power to call a meeting, only the public could please themselves whether they attended. But he had been requested by several persons— Messrs Mellish, Boddington, Jameson, and others interested in boating matters—to call this meeting, aud he did so as Mayor of the town. It was known the Lyttelton Regatta Committee wanted to include Shaw, Saville and Co.'s cup in their programme; it was important therefore that the Kaiapoi Regatta Committee should be called together to settle what course they would adopt. It had then become known to him that on Thursday the Rev E. A. Lingard aDd Captain Rose had an interview in reference to this affair of the cup, at which Mr Lingard was informed by Captain Rose that he had decided the cup was to be rowed for at Lyttelton; but on Mr Lingard having shown Captain Rose a letter dated a twelve month back, in which he (Captain Rose) stated tbe question of rowing for the cup would be left to the clubs to decide, Captain Bose then said he would abide by the terms of that letter, and it \ras in consequence of the receipt of this information, and a message from Capt. lose, through the Rev. E. A. Lingard, that he (the Chairman) considered it advisable to get a meeting together to arrange the Kaiapoi regatta without delay. On Friday last _c therefore went to the Lyttelton Times and. Press agencies to forward the advertisemeits. The agent in the former case was away, and he left the two notices with Mr Wilson, one of which was to appear in Saturday's Press if he had an opportunity of sending it. His advertisements were in the hands of the newspaper agents there at the sane time as Mr Kerr, who had assumed the rght to call another meeting, had given his in to the papers. From this source hn had received no end of abuse. However, they wjuld now commence de novo, as though the Regatta Committee had entirely lapsed, aid as Mayor of the town and one interested; in boating, he had called this meeting to arange for a regatta. Before sitting down, he ivished to say that a remark made to him by Mr Kerr, to the effect that this meeting hid been called because he (the Chairmm) and his son il had been kicked out of the Cure Club " was quite false. He hid never been proposed as a member. Hethen proceeded to read the copy of a lette - from Mr Beswick. which was read at the ?ier hotel meeting also. Mr Russell thought i' they could get up a regatta the meeting lad better proceed with the business. Mr E. Revell moved-" That the Kaiapoi regatta take place on th«26th December." A desultory conversatin followed. Mr J. Lowthian Wibon rose, and said if he might be permitted to speak, he would suggest that, from a knovledge of the circumstances in reference to advertising the two meetings, and the mgular coincidence that Mr Kerr, when ii Christchurch, and Dr Dudley in Kaiapoi, hd simultaneously on the same day and at narly the same hour, decided to call a publi meeting to get up the regatta, the meetinj should first of all try to arrange matter) vith the persons attending the other meeing. [Applause.] It was quite impossible fo those present to get up a regatta any more han for the other meeting to do so success-lly. They were all looking forward to theKaiapoi Regatta of'7l to be an " immensi success," and to obtain this they mnst al be unanimous. [Hear, hear.] He wished o promote peace, to set aside any misurterstandiug, and hoped the meeting wouldnot ally itself to , any personal feel:ng TOich had arisen between Dr Dudler and Ir Kerr, as stated by the former. They-ad really nothing to do with that; the pari© might .settle all their difference in five nhutes explanations. Mr C. E. Dudley moted—" That a deputation of Messrs WilsorJ Rose, and Powell, . wait upon the public heeting at the Pier ] with a view to arrangiri matters." \ Mr M'NicOLL secondi the motion, which was carried unanimous! : The deputation wentjn then: errand, and 3 found the meeting at ie Pier had already adjourned. ' : Mr R. A. Wright, ie chairman of the Pier meeting, and sevi-al others here en- j tered the room. He thi gave a resume of ] the proceedings at thi meeting, and ex- ] pressed an earnest hopefhat the two parties would combine in enstfng the success of ] such a regatta as haiot before been wit- 1 ncssed in the proving His remarks were ; received with approbate. Mr Wilson said he buld, by permission, . move now—" That thiskeeting adjourn, and J a public meeting take Bee on Monday, and that a conference take lace between Messrs ] Wright, Kerr, Dr Duay, and Mr Rose, to arrange for holding it.'' He was anxious to < see Dr Dudley and Mr'err members of the 3 conference, for the reap they could explain to each other any njapprehensions that j might exist, though thineeting had nothing j to do with anything i a personal nature. , He would see the Insttte was obtained for ] holding the adjorned mting. [Cheers.] Mr McFarlane secjded the motion. The Chairman would prefer to s meet Mr Wright would acquiesce in the wish of the mting. As there was r now a fuller attendanj the business how- t ever might be proceed) with. s The resolution was it, and oarried unanimously. "! Mr Kerr was sent >r, and on entering the room was receivedjith cheers. In reply { to the Chairman, he id he was willing to t enter into any arranjpent to promote the r success of the regattsprovided it did not interfere with the reiution passed at the s Pier hotel meeting. r The conference waseld in an adjoining E room, and in ten minis after Ihe Chairman, centering the room, said the affair had hi amicably arrauged. . [Chee:s.] It had b? decided to bold a meeting at eight p.mon Monday next, at i the lustitute, and thahe Pier hotel meeting the same evening wou'adjourn there. [Loud cheers] With a vote of thss to the gentlemen forming the conferee, the meeting dispersed. —j ===== v