LONG SERVICE TO YACHTING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23482, 10 November 1941, Page 6

LONG SERVICE TO YACHTING

MEMORIAL TABLET UNVEILED

A tablet to the memory J. Toomey. veteran yachtsnian jm“ starter, was unveiled, on Saturday afternoon at the opening of the can terbury Yacht and Motor Boat Cluds season. Set in the concrete walllß the end of the Gladstone Pier, from which position Mr Toomey start many hundreds of his long association with the sport, me tablet is inscribed:— ■ rV "Laid by the C.Y.M.B.C. m memory of the late W. J. Toomey, Officuu Yacht Starter and Judge for 19 years. Died June 3rd, 1941. aged 84. Although a cold, south-west ga e was blowing, there was a good muster oi yachtsmen and friends at the pier i the ceremony. Visitors melted Mr W. H. Beanland, secretary of the can terbury Sailing and Power Boat Asso ciation. Messrs T. G. H. Buxton arm E. Neal, president and com:.iodore respec tively of the Mount Pleasant Yaphl Club, and Mr D. Crozier. representing the Waimakariri Yacht Club. _ Mr E. E. Coombes. commodore oi the club, said that since the jas* season, yachting in Canterbury had lost two valued supporters in Mr Toomey and in Mr F. Beveridge, of Redcuns. He asked the president, Mr W. T. Lester, to declare the season open. Although conditions were very unpleasant for the opening they were n nearly as unpleasant as were the conditions which many yachtsmen no overseas had to contend with, said Lester. The club was carrying on cnieny in the interest of young members, ana in that task the officials were receiving valuable help from a womens auxiliary committee. He declared me season open. The tablet was then unveiled by m® Mayor (Mr F. E. Sutton), who spok* of Mr Toomey’s lifetime interest m yachting. ~ Because of the adverse weather, no races were held, but visitors and members were entertained at afternoon xea in the club house. Selections were played by the Lyttelton Marine Band.!