Yacht Club Protest At Removal Of Moorings

Press, Volume C, Issue 29565, 14 July 1961, Page 10

Yacht Club Protest At Removal Of Moorings

Fears that the removal of another 24 yacht moorings in the inner harbour at Lyttelton would seriously prejudice the future of yachting in Canterbury were expressed by the club's commodore (Mr H. H. Hannah) at the annual general meeting of the club on Wednesday night. The Lyttelton Harbour Board proposes to extend No. 7 wharf and this will necessitate the removal of the moorings. There was a possibility of mooring sites being provided in Cass Bay, but without protective works this area would be totally unsatisfactory, Mr Hannah said. The meeting released the following statement which has been sent to the Lyttelton Harbour Board: "The Banks Peninsula Cruising Club is deeply concerned at the recent newspaper report that wharf extension in the inner harbour at Lyttelton will necessitate the removal of 24 yacht moorings. For many years a shortage of moorings has existed and the club on several occasions has attempted to ascertain the Lyttelton Harbour Board's proposals for facilities for moorings for small craft “This latest proposal to diminish the number of moorings could sound the death knell of yachting in Canterbury. Alone amongst the major harbour boards, the Lyttelton board appears unconcerned at the lack of facilities for small craft. In Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin, boat harbours are provided in abundance as normal functions of the respective boards. !“The club cannot understand this apathy towards the encouragement of a healthy worth-while sport. In the same way that sports facilities are provided by city and borough councils, we feel that it is a proper function of the harbour board to look after a sport so decidedly concerned with the sea. Yachting is a sport which teaches many things. Because of its close contact with the elements it develops self-reliance, it teaches team spirit and command, and in the maintenance of his craft a yachtsman must learn something of boat building rigging and mechanics.. In these days of youth delinquency, surely these are qualities which we should all help to develop.” “In times of national disaster, yacht clubs provide a body of men trained in the ways of the sea. who can serve in many ways in the Navy and Mercantile Marine. This has happened twice in the last 50 years. “Interest in the sea is developing and more and more oeople are turning tpi yachting, in many case?, building their own boats. The construction of the road tunnel will bring Lyttelton harbour and its bays closer to Christchurch and the demand for moorings will increase. This will be good business for Lyttelton with the consequent increase in work for shipwrights and other allied industries. Does the Lyttelton Harbour Board intend to hinder this development? “The club considers that the Lyttelton Harbour Board should prepare proposals for the construction of a boat harbour at Cass Bay. This is the only locality easy of road access and enjoying some natural shelter. It is realised that the construction of a breakwa*er and dredging will be required at considerable expense, but this is only one side of the picture. For years the board must have known that the present yacht moorings in the inner harbour are occupying space that is of far more value to them for commercial shipping. Additional revenue gained from this area together with mooring charges from fishing boats and yachts in the new boat harbour, must give the board some encouragement to investigate the proposal” Officers Elected The following officers were elected: Patron, Mr H. A Rhind; president. Dr. W. M. Cotter; vice - presidents, Messrs W. H. Browne, J. K. Gibson, G. I. F. Treleaven; commodore. Mr H. M. Hannah; vice-commodore, Mr A.

H. Laban; rear-commodore. Mr J. Buick; committee. Messrs A. France. R. T. Lloyd, A. J. Lugg. P. C. Mangos, W. Prendergast. G. Thomas; secretary, Mr G. R Towart; auditor, Mr G. Dave son.