YACHTING

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 104, 30 October 1933, Page 14

YACHTING

HERETAUNGA CLUB

The opening ceremony of the Heretaunga Boating Club.on Saturday afternoon wus largely attended, despite the bad conditions. Interest was added to the 'ceremony by the presence of the Aquatics Princess (Miss Nancy Olphert), who arrived by launch' accompanied by yachts. Miss Olphert entered the hall after passing through a guard of the Petone Sea Scouts, under the charge, of Scoutmaster G. A. Harris, and was accorded a pipe baud selection. - ■■ ■ ;

The club's patron, Mr. J. W. McEwan, who was introduced by the commodore, Mr. W. Biddle,, said it gave, him pleasure,to preside at the opening ceremuuy of the club, which, he was glad to say, was in a better position. financially today than- it was at this time last year, notwithstanding the hard times experienced, and the possibility, of still harder times to come. He was one of those who had lived long enough in New Zealand—and he was a New Zealander—to remember past hard times in New Zealand. He was oE the opinion that there was a lesson for everyone in hard times, and a better time for everyone.was in store. The future of the club was assured. The club had shown itself capable in the past of holding its own against any competition that came along, and the same would apply in the future. He wished the club every success in the coming season. Captain W. J. Keane, chairman of the Wellington Yacht and Motor-boat .Association and.commodore of the Evans Bay Club, expressed, his pleasure at being present,'and said he was pleased at the club's improved financial position, which showed that yachting was beginning to go ahead again after.marking time. Yachting was one of the greatest builders of character he knew. When a boy went into a boat he learnt, discipline in a secondary position, and when he rose to be skipper it brought'out any latent qualities of leadership that were.in .him. No part of New Zealand was more than sixty miles from the sea,'and yachting helped: to bring out the qualities of seamanship and appreciation of shipping necessary in an island neople. He congratulated the club on fostering the- Idle-Along> class. (Applause.) He-thanked the dub for its welcome, to Miss Olphert, and hoped all -yachtsmen would :join in the procession on November IS.1

■ Mr. 0. A. Mollev spoke iv support of Miss- Olpborfs candidature, and Miss Olphert briefly spoke. ■ Cheers were given for Miss Olplicrt find others taking part in the opening ceremony. " Miss Olphert unfurled the club's Hag." • . ■ ■. ..,,,.

A number of yachtsmen attended from other, clubs. Some ' keelers crossed the liarbour from Evans Bay, having a sweepstake race, and the skippers and crews were heartily -welcomed. The pipe band played various selections. Afternoon tea was served.